SDS100/SDS200: SDS100 External Speaker/Audio options

[Ubbe]

I also have that SSN4005A and it seems to be a 4 ohm speaker when measure DC resistance, so maybe higher in impedance. It doesn't begin to limit at volume 12 but increase audio cleanly up to volume 15. But 15 equal in sound level to a volume 7 when using my GSN6035a speaker, that when I connected left and right channels together need to go from volume 6 to 5 or it will be too loud on my desk from a one meter distance. If using a mono plug it will shortcircuit the right channel to ground, so stereo plug are a must.

/Ubbe

 

[tvengr]

A mono plug will physically fit into the scanner's earphone jack, but it's not a good idea to do that. It has long been advised by Uniden NOT to insert a mono plug into any of Uniden's earphone jacks. Doing so will short out half of the audio amplifier and reduce the audio output by quite a bit. To use a device with a mono plug in an earphone jack, a stereo to mono adaptor should be used in the earphone port.

The Uniden BC23A speaker uses only the tip and sleeve connections of the stereo plug. There is an isolation transformer in the speaker case which prevents shorting the sleeve to ground when the audio outputs of scanners are floating.

 

[garys]

I thought that I had put a resister in series to convert that to an 8 ohm speaker, but it must have been some other speaker. Both of the smaller speakers are 4 ohm. I'm not sure I'm motivated enough to order more resisters and make the change.

The SDS100 seems quite happy, so I'm happy.

I also have that SSN4005A and it seems to be a 4 ohm speaker when measure DC resistance, so maybe higher in impedance. It doesn't begin to limit at volume 12 but increase audio cleanly up to volume 15. But 15 equal in sound level to a volume 7 when using my GSN6035a speaker, that when I connected left and right channels together need to go from volume 6 to 5 or it will be too loud on my desk from a one meter distance. If using a mono plug it will shortcircuit the right channel to ground, so stereo plug are a must.

/Ubbe

 

[Ubbe]

The Uniden BC23A speaker uses only the tip and sleeve connections of the stereo plug. There is an isolation transformer in the speaker case which prevents shorting the sleeve to ground when the audio outputs of scanners are floating.

I noticed the sound level went up when using both tip and ring connected together, but that might only be pertinent to using a low ohm speaker that needs more power from the amplifier.

/Ubbe

 

[Ubbe]

I thought that I had put a resister in series to convert that to an 8 ohm speaker

Never use resistors in series with speakers, you are only burning up power in the resistor instead of producing sound energy. The lower the impedance of a speaker the more power it can give at a given voltage compared to a higher ohm speaker. Modern amplifiers are protected against over temp and over power and shortcircuits. If it sounds distorted, the amplifier are over strained, then you simply lower the volume.

/Ubbe

 

[garys]

The friend who taught me that had about 65 years of experience in electronics including a lot of audio experience. I'll go with what he told me, thanks.

Never use resistors in series with speakers, you are only burning up power in the resistor instead of producing sound energy. The lower the impedance of a speaker the more power it can give at a given voltage compared to a higher ohm speaker. Modern amplifiers are protected against over temp and over power and shortcircuits. If it sounds distorted, the amplifier are over strained, then you simply lower the volume.

/Ubbe

 

[Ubbe]

Email my text to him and try and get a comment from him.

/Ubbe

 

[garys]

I will hold a seance and get back to you.

Email my text to him and try and get a comment from him.

/Ubbe

 

[Ubbe]

Oh, he's a silent key, I'm sorry to hear that. My apologues, I didn't know that.

/Ubbe

 

[garys]

No worries. I could have been more clear and maybe less snarky in my comment.

Oh, he's a silent key, I'm sorry to hear that. My apologues, I didn't know that.

/Ubbe

 

[Tim-in-TX]

You wired the new speaker jack to the internal speaker, which does not have the restricted max volume circuitry Uniden incorporates for the stock headphone jack. Way to go! You got the additional volume and Uniden’s liability remains protected against frivolous lawsuits.

And those who are not adept when it comes to bench work can always have your mod installed by another radio repair shop or friend who is handy with a soldering iron.

Perhaps someone with the proper know-how could put together a DIY tutorial or video for this. I would very much be interested in trying this...depending on the complexity since I am an amateur and ham-fisted with old-man-eyesight.

 

[Trilliumaire]

The only thing I'm unsure/confused on is what you mean by a "Passive external speaker". Would that be an non-amplified speaker?

I was looking at speaker options for the SDS100, and went with the amplified BC23AS (non-passive) speaker. You power it with a 12V cigarette lighter. Not sure the SDS100 3.5mm jack has enough juice to get the speaker moving. Most other speakers plug into an external out (more power) like the big brother SDS200. Examples of these are the BC20 or BC15. Again, not sure they would work well with the SDS100.

 

[Ubbe]

Not sure the SDS100 3.5mm jack has enough juice to get the speaker moving. Most other speakers plug into an external out (more power) like the big brother SDS200.

For the SDS100E models it is actually a speaker out jack connected directly to the amplifier. I've been using my 2 ohm speaker for 5 years. But in US and eventually only for California state, where you also could not charge a battery in a device while at the same time be using it, there are some laws that earphone jacks must only produce audio up to a moderate level to not damage your hearing. Then Uniden probably must use drop resistors to the earphone jack making it impossible to use low impedance speakers.

/Ubbe

 

[n1chu]

I’ve had good results with the Uniden (Bearcat) amplified speaker with the SDS100 and SDS200. I use it in areas where there is a lot of ambient background noise. I think of the two speaker options Uniden offers as powered (that’s the 12 volt required) and non powered mentioned (passive). My application was with a SDS100 mounted on a Harley Davidson Ultra Classic Electra Glide motorcycle with stock mufflers. The amplified speaker did the trick, overcoming road noise and bike noise.