I am not sure how the new Venture is but with my Harley I must be on what ever I am trying to adjust the volume on. in other words if you are listening to music that is what you are adjusting, try this get your wife to start talking into the mic and then while she is still talking adjust your volume. If I am using the CB radio I always lower the squelch until it is constant and then adjust my volume to where I want it, after that I put the squelch back.