BCD396XT earphone jack

PCTEK · #1 (**permalink**) 10-23-2009, 03:24 PM

I had purchased the 396XT package from ScannerMaster. In that package i purchased the "shadow" ear piece. When I plugged it into the scanner, I could barely hear anything, so I plugged in a lapel speaker. Same result. I called ScannerMaster and the sales person said my scanner may have a "stereo" earphone jack, and that the earpiece items they sell are for mono. Sure enough, I plugged in my iPod earbuds and boom, full sound.

Has anyone else experienced this jack difference? Did Uniden make two different versions? Or did they just have the wrong jack in the parts bin when they put my radio together.

Rather then send the radio back, I'll get a stereo -> mono adapter plug.

hmmm.. Quality Control ??

randybcd396t · #2 (**permalink**) 10-24-2009, 01:13 PM

According to the specifications, the headphone jack is stereo (20mW nominal into 32Ω stereo headphone).

BCD396XTSpecs < UnidenMan4 < TWiki

Not sure why ScannerMaster would have a package that includes in-compatible components.

PCTEK · #3 (**permalink**) 10-24-2009, 11:52 PM

You are correct Randy. When I spoke with the ScannerMaster sales person, they were unaware of this change. I guess not many use the earphone.

randybcd396t · #4 (**permalink**) 10-25-2009, 01:01 AM

If I'm not mistaken the BCD396T had a mono headphone and they introduced the stereo headphone jack with the XT.

kb8rvp · #5 (**permalink**) 10-25-2009, 09:00 AM

I had the same problem with my Pro-96 and BCD396XT until I went to Radio Shack and picked up and adapter plug to change it from stero to mono and my shadow mic works fine with both.

Mike

dracer777 · #6 (**permalink**) 10-25-2009, 01:35 PM

Wirelessly posted (MOT-QA30/00.72 UP.Browser/7.2.7.5.610 (GUI) MMP/2.0)

I use the shadow earpiece with no problem at all. I think your jack may be defective.

randybcd396t · #7 (**permalink**) 10-25-2009, 01:52 PM

I just tried it with both stereo and mono headphones. Both appear to work for me as well.

kc2rgw · #8 (**permalink**) 10-25-2009, 02:53 PM

FWIW I like that it is stereo, lets me use the assortment of headphones I already have kicking around as well as all the stereo patch cables I have.

What would be neat is a firmware tweak to the DAC to make a 'virtual' stereo image of it...a binaural effect.

UPMan · #9 (**permalink**) 10-25-2009, 11:06 PM

I'm not sure when (or even if) we changed from a mono jack to a stereo one, but it has been that way for models going back at least 10 years. Note that the audio itself is monaural, but the jack is wired stereo (so it will work with standard headphones or earbuds).

Dewey · #10 (**permalink**) 10-27-2009, 05:45 PM

As Paul mentioned, my Unidens, BC235XLT, BC245XLT, now sold BC250D, now sold BCD396T, and BCD396XT all have stereo jacks enabling them to work with mono or stereo equipment. It is the same mono output on the left and right stereo conductors, but the jacks are stereo. In fact, there was a mod floating around about putting the discriminator output on the center pin of the stereo jack on one of the older models to overcome the no space in case issues.

Dewey

PCTEK · #11 (**permalink**) 10-30-2009, 11:36 AM

Yes, the jack is stereo, and yes the audio is mono. I dont know whay Uniden would have changed the style jack they use. I plugged in my iPod earbuds and the audio was loud and clear. I plugged in the shadow ear piece and bareley anything. (is there some sort of protective piece in the part that goes into the ear that needs to be removed prior to use?) So I went to radio shack and purchased the stereo to mono adapter. Plugged it in then plugged my shadow ear piece in and still barely any audio. I've contacted Scanner Master since I might have a defective shadow ear piece

randybcd396t · #12 (**permalink**) 10-30-2009, 11:40 AM

I don't have a shadow ear piece, but I did test my 396XT with both mono and stereo headphones and both work just fine. My guess is that the problem is with the shadow ear piece.

foxtail · #13 (**permalink**) 10-30-2009, 07:57 PM

Hey Upman, do you have a part number for the earphone jack it's self? I have the bc396t which the jack is not working right. I'm in Canada so if you have any leads were I can get it here. Thanks, Foxtail.

Markscan · #14 (**permalink**) 10-31-2009, 09:54 PM

I have an amplified speaker in my truck. With the 396T, it was loud and clear. My 396XT it was much lower. After reading this thread, I purchased the stereo to mono adapter, and its now back to loud and clear.

PCTEK · #15 (**permalink**) 11-05-2009, 11:12 PM

I recieved a replacement shadow earpiece from ScannerMaster. It's audio is much better. Seems to be the same level with or without the stereo to mono adapter. So I purchased the lapel speaker from ScannerMaster. Low level again, with or without the stereo adapter. The best audio from the earphone jack is when I plug in my iPod earbuds.. nice and loud. So I can only imagine it's an impedance issue. The 396XT has to work harder to power items like the shadow or lapel speaker with are 8 ohms, and the 396XT manual show the earphone jack is 32 ohms. Oh well....

jimg · #16 (**permalink**) 11-05-2009, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Markscan

I have an amplified speaker in my truck. With the 396T, it was loud and clear. My 396XT it was much lower. After reading this thread, I purchased the stereo to mono adapter, and its now back to loud and clear.

I too just purchased the 396XT, and when I first hooked it up to my RS amplified speaker, the amplified speaker would not work, unless I pulled the plug about half way out of the radios's earphone/speaker jack. I got the RS adaptor to convert the speaker's jack from mono to stereo, and now the RS amplified speaker works as it should.