Motorola Speakers (non-amplified) and Scanners

[KI5FKE]

Hi! I know that there are many post discussing the use of Motorola speakers with scanners, but I couldn't find any posts discussing the non-amplified speakers. If there's one, feel free to post a link. But, at any rate, I will be putting two RadioShack base receivers in a rack soon. I would like to install two nice speakers that will let me listen to radio traffic clearly. I've seen the methods of connecting a 3.5 mm audio plug to Motorola amplified speakers.

What steps are needed to connect non-amplified Motorola speakers to a 3.5 mm audio plug for use?

Thanks in advance!

 

[KG4INW]

I believe there are far more non-amplified speakers out there than amplified so they're readily available and it's even easier to convert them. Simply attach a 3.5 mm plug (two conductor, TS) to the only two wires coming out of the speaker. There's no polarity so it doesn't matter which one you attach to on the plug.

I've got one on my Kenwood in my truck and it's a lot better than the internal speaker.

 

[KI5FKE]

I believe there are far more non-amplified speakers out there than amplified so they're readily available and it's even easier to convert them. Simply attach a 3.5 mm plug (two conductor, TS) to the only two wires coming out of the speaker. There's no polarity so it doesn't matter which one you attach to on the plug.

I've got one on my Kenwood in my truck and it's a lot better than the internal speaker.

Does it involve any soldering, or no?

 

[KG4INW]

That's the best/proper way to do it but in your situation, you may get by with a lot of twisting and electrical tape if you already have a 3.5 mm mono plug with some speaker wire hanging off of it. I had such a part in my junk box. Otherwise, the plugs you can buy at Radio Shack need to be soldered.

 

[jaspence]

Depending on the model of scanner, you may also use a stereo plug. All three of my scanners work well with stereo headsets or earphones. When using multiple speakers, there can be a mismatch with the impedance, causing distortion or low volume level. You may need to go with a small amplifier to get the sound quality and level you want. Last, but not least, I would never go without soldering the connections properly. It only takes a second for a loose or bumped wire to blow out the audio transistors and create a big repair bill, especially in a mini plug.

 

[KI5FKE]

I was also think about going with Uniden external speakers. Don't know how good those are...

 

[RonnieUSA]

I was also think about going with Uniden external speakers. Don't know how good those are...

With my 197 I use a set of speakers made for an MP3 player, with a mono adapter attached to it, and they are not powered. They are made by Vibe.

They work well, and sound better that the internal speaker.

 

[KI5FKE]

With my 197 I use a set of speakers made for an MP3 player, with a mono adapter attached to it, and they are not powered. They are made by Vibe.

They work well, and sound better that the internal speaker.

Really? I'll look up Vibe speakers.

 

[RonnieUSA]

Really? I'll look up Vibe speakers.

They sound great.

 

[Drachen_Fire]

You can't go wrong with a standard Motorola extension speaker, and the soldering part is easy as can possibly be. Slide the cover over the wire, push it back a ways, strip the insulation from the conductors, solder one wire to one tab and the other wire to the other tab, and screw the cover onto the plug body.

They have exquisite audio quality. I use two that came from an old dual-head Motorola Spectra on the Kenwood TK880 and TK780 in my car, and the audio is superior.

The only better, louder, more clear extension speaker I can think of are the ones that EF Johnson made in the late 70's/early 80's. There is one on the scanner in my dispatch center, and it is made of pure awesome.

 

[KI5FKE]

You can't go wrong with a standard Motorola extension speaker, and the soldering part is easy as can possibly be. Slide the cover over the wire, push it back a ways, strip the insulation from the conductors, solder one wire to one tab and the other wire to the other tab, and screw the cover onto the plug body.

They have exquisite audio quality. I use two that came from an old dual-head Motorola Spectra on the Kenwood TK880 and TK780 in my car, and the audio is superior.

The only better, louder, more clear extension speaker I can think of are the ones that EF Johnson made in the late 70's/early 80's. There is one on the scanner in my dispatch center, and it is made of pure awesome.

I'll look into it; I was thinking about Uniden speakers.

 

[Quickcall]

I use standard Motorola speakers with almost all of my equipment. I love the sound quailty. Good product.