SDS100/SDS200: Auto volume control sds100

[KD8CES]

Will there be any firmware updates related to volume offset for radio ID’S within a TGID? Some systems ( 5 city Radio system in Lorain Ohio, as well as Elyria’s fire dispatch in Ohio) have radio ID’s in same talkgroup that are ten times louder or softer in the same conversation. Auto volume control or manual adjustments per radio ID with a wider range of adjustment would make monitoring much more enjoyable. This is also seen on the Ohio Marc’s p25 system.

 

[trentbob]

Will there be any firmware updates related to volume offset for radio ID’S within a TGID? Some systems ( 5 city Radio system in Lorain Ohio, as well as Elyria’s fire dispatch in Ohio) have radio ID’s in same talkgroup that are ten times louder or softer in the same conversation. Auto volume control or manual adjustments per radio ID with a wider range of adjustment would make monitoring much more enjoyable. This is also seen on the Ohio Marc’s p25 system.

So you are referring to volume offset? It's a good option to have given the essential lack of AGC on the SDS.

You will never go beyond the maximum volume by default, if you have a talk group or other object set at +3 you will be set at maximum volume at 3 clicks under the scanners maximum volume setting. You don't gain any volume by setting control above that.

I can't think of any realistic, game changing, firmware that's going to be added to enhance volume offset.

We went YEARS without a useful firmware update, with parts shortages I'm guessing, newer radios needed to be updated to accommodate alternative hardware, and there was another one in there that didn't affect anything either. If you got the update it didn't matter, it didn't change anything. Then there were a couple of major updates that really affected the performance of the scanner for the better, after that we had fixes for the fixes and enhancements to DMR.

Who knows what's coming next.

 

[ofd8001]

This question has come up a few times over the years. The consensus is there is no practical way of dealing with this.

Generally its an issue with the transmitting user speaking too loud or quiet. As a fire guy, this happens regularly on system radios, and short of disciplining someone for quiet/loud voice, it's just life. I suppose radios could come with volume meters to show someone how loud/quiet they are might help. . .

The other component to consider is Radio ID 12345 is a fire apparatus mobile radio. The A shift person's voice is just right. The B shifter is too quiet and the C shifter is too loud. Setting a volume offset would be challenging in that situation.

 

[Ubbe]

The problem are that SDS100/200 do not have any audio AGC, that the BCD436/536 have and that Whistlers TRX scanners also have (but too much of). All audio, from analog and digital transmissions, comes from the DSP in the scanner (436/536/100/200) so it has to be some really serious restrictions that prevent Uniden from using audio AGC in their SDS series.

I have worked with professional radios and systems and I can say that the audio variations that can be heard in scanners are in most cases not heard from a professional radio if its audio parameters are set correctly. So the users themselves aren't aware of that someone talks too loud or too close to the mic or it needs its mic gain reduced and then never reports that a radio sounds bad and needs attention.

/Ubbe

 

[n1chu]

This question has come up a few times over the years. The consensus is there is no practical way of dealing with this.

Generally its an issue with the transmitting user speaking too loud or quiet. As a fire guy, this happens regularly on system radios, and short of disciplining someone for quiet/loud voice, it's just life. I suppose radios could come with volume meters to show someone how loud/quiet they are might help. . .

The other component to consider is Radio ID 12345 is a fire apparatus mobile radio. The A shift person's voice is just right. The B shifter is too quiet and the C shifter is too loud. Setting a volume offset would be challenging in that situation.

Dispatchers today usually have their own headsets assigned where, after the rank-in-file reports irritating needs to continually increase or decrease their volume setting, (especially if there are multiple dispatchers on duty at the same time who share the workload), set the dispatcher’s mic on their headset to a more proper level. While this may fix a too loud or soft speaking dispatcher, it does nothing for the people on board apparatus that now use headsets (I believe it’s an OSHA hearing protection requirement which has been for years now).

 

[KD8CES]

Dispatchers today usually have their own headsets assigned where, after the rank-in-file reports irritating needs to continually increase or decrease their volume setting, (especially if there are multiple dispatchers on duty at the same time who share the workload), set the dispatcher’s mic on their headset to a more proper level. While this may fix a too loud or soft speaking dispatcher, it does nothing for the people on board apparatus that now use headsets (I believe it’s an OSHA hearing protection requirement which has been for years now).

I copy, thanks for the replies, it’s just disheartening that you pay for a professional product, then pay for system upgrades to listen to select systems, and volume goes from a whisper to screaming loud in same conversation on a talkgroup, from two different radio ID’s. Constantly adjusting volume. Very hard to listen to, would expect more from a best in class receiver. Other than volume issues I love radio and functions, receives p25 phase 1&2 well with simulcast, and mototurbo DMR.
73’s

 

[n1chu]

You can try using the Volume Offset feature. In the menu go to the agency you have the issue with. Choose which channel you wish to modify and scroll down to Volume Offset. You can increase or decrease by choosing one of the settings… -3, -2, -1, 0, +1, +2, +3.

There’s also this… some dispatchers who operate on unencrypted systems are aware that they can pass a short one or two word sensitive or proprietary piece of info by simply lowering their voice. It’s not perfect, but it saves the dispatcher time, not having to put it out on a MDT, or making a cell phone call. The receiving party knows this and listens closely, where someone monitoring on a scanner might miss it. Again, it’s not perfect.

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

Some systems ( 5 city Radio system in Lorain Ohio, as well as Elyria’s fire dispatch in Ohio) have radio ID’s in same talkgroup that are ten times louder or softer in the same conversation

it’s just disheartening that you pay for a professional product, then pay for system upgrades to listen to select systems, and volume goes from a whisper to screaming loud in same conversation on a talkgroup, from two different radio ID’s. Constantly adjusting volume.
73’s

Usually this issue is on the subscriber (agency)'s end. Very little a scanner user can do to compensate for it. Adjusting volume offset will lower volume for everyone, not just the overmodulated units. Also the SDS100 shouldn't by any means be considered a "professional product"

 

[buddrousa]

A scanner is a Hobby Radio not a Professional Radio on the other hand a Unication Pager is a Professional Product and Training Correct use of Radio System is for the Radio System operator to control not the Scanner Maker. We had in our area a IT Technician setting up Radio Over IP that did not understand Deviation and the end users were having problems with different Dispatchers to loud to soft. I gave the end users 15 minutes of audio they sent it to the Managers that got the problems fixed and the IT Technician was taught how to setup the System and they have had no more problems.

 

[ratboy]

I know someone who just bought an SDS200 and the volume differences don't seem to bother him at all. I programmed it, and as always, got blasted several times and many more times couldn't get what they were mumbling about. It annoys the hell out of me. There is one dispatcher that is insanely loud, but no other users are really even average level, so you have to ride the volume and for sure never wear headphones.

 

[buddrousa]

We had a pair of 911 Dispatchers 1 talked very soft the other talked like they were screaming at unruly children and you would have either one answer you on a call and it did not matter we were using name brand professional radios so it is not a scanner only problem.

 

[werinshades]

You have systems that are using "patched" talk groups too. If they're patching from an analog frequency to a trunking talk group, it's been my experience the audio is very loud, at times over modulated. When two digital systems are being patched on one talk group, the problem isn't as bad. I monitor a system where a TETRA bridge is set up on a Motorola system and the audio coming from the TETRA users are "garbled" and some of the dispatchers have difficulty understanding them. It sounds like when you get water in your ears is my best description. Harris consoles with bridges to Motorola systems also have audio differences too which I have within my monitoring world.

A scanner can't resolve all the anomalies out there these days. The best bet is to use an external speaker when it's possible if it's problematic. You have to develop or train that "ear" too if it's not going to change.

 

[Ubbe]

The best bet is to use an external speaker when it's possible if it's problematic.

There are special audio processing speakers that can level out the audio and compress it. Have anyone tried one of those to see what they can do and can recommend one?

/Ubbe