I’ve had this scanner for a few years. The audio usually sound like the person talking is swallowing the mic. Yet others understand them. Sometimes it’s crystal clear. It’s on all frequencies FD, PD, EMT…. Could this be a speaker issue? YouTube link attached of my 885 showing what I’m talking about. I’ve attached pictures of equipment used.
Yeah, that radio RX is awful, alright, the audio of the video makes clear.
You haven’t said whether we’re hearing the built-in speaker or an external speaker so I’ll go with two items:
1). Internal speaker
2). Bad radio mount location for audio reproduction.
An external speaker is
always a worthy upgrade.
The first image
is science as to location for the most intuitive understanding, and the need to keep radio volume down lowest despite vehicle & road noise.
High Fidelity.
This is a given for any mobile.
A).
Best location is above and behind left ear.
LIDO HEADREST SPEAKER MOUNT (would need reinforcement; or DIY as shown (by
@jcrmadden)
B).
Best speaker is a DRIVER EXTREME
DRX-901 (shown just below).
1). A KES-5 is GTG, but not same audio fidelity (also heavy). Second image.
This location has some of the problems you’re now experiencing, but it’ll be better. Just not on a par as a solution with the headrest mount.
In my mind not really an option though that’s an install in my pickup.
Intuition is the key concept for RX Mobile. No fill-in-the-gaps that we do unconsciously.
Your video is a prime example. As a truck driver there was no room for guessing what’s been said at 70-MPH with 40-tons to control.
The enjoyability goes
way up with a no-compromise speaker and mount location. Beyond what’s just adequate (99% of mobile rigs).
Some further reading:
Thread 'UNIDEN 885 Hybrid CB/Scanner: Best Choice for Road Trips?'
UNIDEN 885 Hybrid CB/Scanner: Best Choice for Road Trips?
I recently picked up a NIB Bear Tracker 885 CB/Scanner combo for a steal (half off suggested retail price) off of marketplace. Yeah i know it doesn't have NRC, SSB or FM, but i don't care. I wanted it for the p25 scanner capability, weather alerts, and bear tracker. I look at the CB part of this...
forums.radioreference.com
You’ve run 12V Positive to BATT (fused) and Neg to closest (tested) ground point, right? Vehicle noise is always a factor to eliminate, not just dampen.
@niceguy71 likes to recommend a refurb STRYKER SRA-10 mag mount as a bargain 11M antenna acquisition (see his posts for skinflint Yankee links to buy).
This series of Uniden radios wakes up with both a power mic and a KL203. As in the above thread links I’ve used my U885 in over-the-road work and liked what it offered. But to
Hear, and Get Heard, it’ll need the help recommended given you’ve already added that 5’ antenna.
If
@WSAC829 shows up he can deliver apt recent commentary from his permanent quality U885 mobile radio rig. He could also advise about the use of a Nano-VNA antenna analyzer to be sure you are dialed-in.
It’s a nice radio to have. A somewhat better AM performer than a U880 with a HQ scanner section integrated. (The SRA-10 antenna is on a par with the EM Wave as to quality).
.
