external speaker

[wv_mountaineer]

I need a external speaker for my 396xt. Does anyone have any suggestions? I am in a truck and cannot hear the scanner without wearing a set of earbuds. These things can get very uncomfortable after a few hours. I really need something that pumps up the volume. If I could I would just hook into the am/fm but this radio doesn't have that feature.

 

[GTR8000]

Several manufacturers make amplified external speakers, including Uniden. You can probably find an amplified external speaker marketed for "CB" at truck stops that sell those sorts of things.

Of course if you want the loudest, clearest, best speaker out there, you're looking at the Motorola amplified speaker. They're not cheap, they run about $80 brand new. They also need to have the wire harness modified/adapted for use with a scanner, as they come with a proprietary Molex plug.

BTW this site has a really good PDF detailing how to modify the Motorola amplified speaker for scanner use.

N0SS' Ham Radio Site - General Info

 

[CoolCat]

Any amplified external speaker should work fine. Radio Shack sells a nice 8-watt model: RadioShack® Amplified Communication Speaker (Model: 21-130)

 

[Dewey]

Any amplified external speaker should work fine. Radio Shack sells a nice 8-watt model: RadioShack® Amplified Communication Speaker (Model: 21-130)

Nice, but PRICEY!

 

[gewecke]

Nice, but PRICEY!

I have one and they work great,but you GET what you pay for! :wink:

n9zas

 

[bobmich52]

Since This Thread Is about External Speakers

I FINALLY Got The Mobile Mounting Bracket For My HP 1 & my Question Is This

What Would Be A Good External Speaker For It??

The Little RS speaker I Had For My 996 Is Ancient & Works Poorly With My HP 1

The Speaker Would Be Mounted On My 2005 Hyundai Tucson Console Centered Just Below The Shifter & The Space is Limited To say the least.

Small But Audible Is The Key

Ideas As To where To Purchase It are Welcome also

TIA

 

[CoolCat]

Radio Shack sells a nice 8-watt model: RadioShack® Amplified Communication Speaker (Model: 21-130)

Nice, but PRICEY!

The $36 price tag seems reasonable to me for what you get.

As a comparison, Scannermaster sells a 6-watt model for $45, and a 1.5-watt model for $26.

 

[lebrunmn]

I second Chauffeur6's recommendation...

I need a external speaker for my 396xt. Does anyone have any suggestions? I am in a truck and cannot hear the scanner without wearing a set of earbuds. These things can get very uncomfortable after a few hours. I really need something that pumps up the volume. If I could I would just hook into the am/fm but this radio doesn't have that feature.

I use one of these... great, clear, volume--even with my windows, and sunroof wide open.

Motorola HSN1006B Amplified External Speaker with cable - eBay (item 120694548888 end time Mar-11-11 18:45:20 PST)

Plenty of info on the site Chauffeur refs to modify the plug for your scanner--if I can do it anyone can. You can't beat the prices on used speakers.

Alternatives would be an FM transmitter to your radio or a cassette adapter, if you have a cassette player. Not too much work to those types of installs, and you'll get all the volume your radio can put out.

Hope that helps.

Regards,

 

[richk107]

Using a cassette adapter or the aux input of the vehicles radio works very well. It's almost like surround sound.

 

[Clark]

External Speaker

I need a external speaker for my 396xt. Does anyone have any suggestions? I am in a truck and cannot hear the scanner without wearing a set of earbuds. These things can get very uncomfortable after a few hours. I really need something that pumps up the volume. If I could I would just hook into the am/fm but this radio doesn't have that feature.

You might try a FM transmitter that is used iPODs or MP3 Players and listen to the scanner from your FM radio. Or, a cassette or CD adapter (if your vehicle has one of these), just do a search for these items.

Clark

 

[W6KRU]

You might try a FM transmitter that is used iPODs or MP3 Players and listen to the scanner from your FM radio. Or, a cassette or CD adapter (if your vehicle has one of these), just do a search for these items.

Clark

I wouldn't recommend the cassette. The FM transmitters are much less trouble.

 

[CoolCat]

Hearing the scanner/ham audio through your car speakers is the best IMO; unfortunately for most people this means losing the ability to listen to music at the same time.

In my case, I built and installed a 'carputer' that feeds audio directly to a 4-channel amplifier (+ a mono subwoofer amplifier). The touchscreen VGA monitor in the dash is my audio/video interface and the computer itself (mounted under the rear seat) acts as an audio mixer so I can listen to AM/FM/HD/MP3 as well as hear the scanner (996XT) all through the door speakers. I realize this type of setup is overkill (as well as being complex and expensive) for most people.

That being said, if you don't mind losing the ability to listen to music while 'scanning' then an FM modulator can be a good option. I would recommend the 'wired' type that plugs inline with the car stereo's antenna input. This type is less prone to interference from nearby high power transmitters than the more common wireless FM modulators.

 

[mule1075]

Walmart.com: Uniden 20-Watt External CB Speaker: Home Office

 

[CoolCat]

Walmart.com: Uniden 20-Watt External CB Speaker: Home Office

That's a nice speaker, but it is not amplified, so it's pretty much useless for a handheld scanner.

 

[mule1075]

i like it and it is plenty loud using it on my 346xt.i was just throwing it out their as a cheap option.

 

[tampatracker]

I just got the amplified speaker from RS and it is great! The sound quality is superb and there is enough bass to fill out the audio. I was going to wait until Scanner Master got their amplified speaker back in stock, and ended up calling them to find out when they were getting it in. I ended up chatting with a gentleman there, and he informed me that that particular speaker was basically a P.O.S. I thanked him for saving me the aggravation and the money and promptly ordered from RS. Just thought I'd pass that along. TT.