Rubber duckies & the SDS100

[Omega-TI]

What, if anything is wrong with the stock antenna that comes with the SDS100? I've seen discussions on replacement antennas, but I have to wonder what is so bad about the stock antenna? Is it not a "passable" tri-band antenna? I've seen talk about an 800Mhz Remtronics antenna, but a monobander in the 800 MHz range will do nothing for me out in the toolies. So really what are the VIABLE alternatives (if the stock antenna sucks so bad)?

 

[a417]

So really what are the VIABLE alternatives (if the stock antenna sucks so bad)?

There are dozens of convos on here regarding that specific issue.

(hint - made by Remtronics)

 

[trentbob]

This one's pretty cut-and-dry, a company called remtronix makes two rubber ducks that you might want to get for your 100, and yes the stock antenna simply sucks. It was even a disappointment to Paul but people will disagree and swear by it.

The REM 820s sds100 is a 700– 800MHz sma rubber duck that is compatible with the the sds100 and has the O-ring to support the water resistance of the radio. This antenna actually works pretty well on UHF also but is terrible on VHF. It really gives you a lot of gain over the stock antenna

You also have the REM 842s, it is an SMA antenna that fits well in the special sds100 sma connection. This is a so- called tri-band, it covers VHF High, UHF and 7- 800 MHz.

 

[Omega-TI]

So this quoting the Matrix trilogy, this is "THE ONE"? 842S

 

[trentbob]

You know if you have no use for VHF High and will be focusing on simulcast 700-800 MHz systems than the 820 is a lot more compact and works better on 700-800 MHz.

I would say the 842 resonates best on the VHF high band. It still works good though, and is an improvement over the stock antenna on 7-8 hundred megahertz.

There are other antennas out there. Look under the antenna section of Scanner Master. There's also ham antennas you can use.

 

[Omega-TI]

There's also ham antennas you can use.

Yeah, where I live 800MHz is not used much. Now that's an idea, if the stock antenna is really that sucky, I could liberate the antenna from my old Kenwood TH79AD that I never use anymore.

 

[trentbob]

Keep in mind that there's a rim around the sma connection on the sds100 and not all sma mounts make a good contact. Don't hesitate to take a rubber duck and use a razor blade and cut a thin piece of rubber away from the bottom or base to see if you can make better contact.

You can also use BNC antennas using that enclosed adapter or getting a safer better aftermarket adapter.

 

[werinshades]

You can count me as one that finds the stock antenna good for my needs. I have a variety of systems, all across the band range and purchasing an antenna for a specific band and foregoing reception on another makes no sense. The all band after market antenna looks a little long for my needs, but that's more of a personal preference.

You seem to me caught up in the "gotta have it" mode even before your SDS100 arrives. I suggest you learn how to program it, learn it's functions and before you start buying all these accessories which you might not find the need for, give it time.

I've owned my SDS100 for 3-1/2 years now, it shipped with the thin battery so that gives you an idea of how long I've owned it and use it daily. I was sent the larger battery and keep the thin battery in a drawer and charge them in the scanner, so no need for an extra battery and charger. I'm still using the original thick battery that Uniden shipped to me free of charge, so that's going on 3 years now. If in the car, battery gets low, I have a charger in my glove compartment next to my rarely used other chargers.

Get the scanner, learn about the scanner, so you're not one of those "how do I scan after hold" type of questions. Basically, take it easy on all the extras for now, you might found out you don't "have to have it" later on. It's a handheld scanner, has it's limitations as they all do, which you won't overcome.

 

[Icanhearit]

The REM842s is optimized for 800-900MHZ, not 700-800 as mentioned in the thread. Many simulcast sites are in 700Mhz (at least in my area).

I also have REM-810s (basically the 820s without O ring).

My REM842s picks up simulcast pretty good while REM810s sucks in the room facing the tower direction.

My REM810s picks up relatively decent simulcast signal while REM842s is almost deaf in the other room facing the ocean (away from any tower, so weak signal from any tower).

So they both find their values. Maybe the REM810s acts poorly in one room is due to multi-path strong signals(?) to my BCD436HP, but it is not garble or cut off voice, the squelch illumination on display simply did not pickup anything.

BTW, I call the REM820s as whip antenna, 842s is rubber duct one.

I have a SDS100 on the way, will find out how these antennas perform .

For me, the stock antenna isn't that bad actually. yes, the Remtronix ones are somewhat better.

 

[trentbob]

The REM842s is optimized for 800-900MHZ, not 700-800 as mentioned in the thread. Many simulcast sites are in 700Mhz (at least in my area).

I also have REM-810s (basically the 820s without O ring).

My REM842s picks up simulcast pretty good while REM810s sucks in the room facing the tower direction.

My REM810s picks up relatively decent simulcast signal while REM842s is almost deaf in the other room facing the ocean (away from any tower, so weak signal from any tower).

So they both find their values. Maybe the REM810s acts poorly in one room is due to multi-path strong signals(?) to my BCD436HP, but it is not garble or cut off voice, the squelch illumination on display simply did not pickup anything.

BTW, I call the REM820s as whip antenna, 842s is rubber duct one.

I have a SDS100 on the way, will find out how these antennas perform .

For me, the stock antenna isn't that bad actually. yes, the Remtronix ones are somewhat better.

HUH?... first of all as a brand-new newbie to radio reference... Welcome.

What is the system that you're basing your comments on? What is the radio that you're using?, is it the 436 that's not simulcast capable? The worst antenna you want in a simulcast environment secondary to LSM is a high gain antenna. You're better off with a paperclip or a CH- 32 miracle baby.

You are listening here not transmitting so I would say that the REM 820 or whatever you call it is the old rs800 BNC only made by GRE and rebranded by RatShack... receiving wise I would say it's a VERY good antenna between 420 MHz and 1000 MHz LOL. Transmitting oh, that's another story.

 

[Icanhearit]

Where did I say I am transmitting and we are talking about scanner. I made the comment based on actual use, not comment based on others review. I would not say BCD436HP is not simulcast able in a sweeping way. It is location dependent.

 

[trentbob]

YMMV... my experience is based on research also on simulcast capable radios. I know you're not transmitting, the point was you have a lot more latitude when receiving. Again the antenna works very well between 420 and 1000 MHz but stinks on VHF High.

It's the holidays, why argue?

 

[Omega-TI]

You can count me as one that finds the stock antenna good for my needs.

You seem to me caught up in the "gotta have it" mode even before your SDS100 arrives. I suggest you learn how to program it, learn it's functions and before you start buying all these accessories which you might not find the need for, give it time.

Yeah, I'm gonna take your advice and slow down now. I'll see how things go with the stock antenna for now. I'm hoping to avoid the DMR and NXDN upgrades and want to hear what the audio really sounds like myself, and yes, learn how to operate it. Honestly though, I'm was trying to beat the price increases on a lot of stuff, and get what I knew I'd need, so I would not have a long delay after it got here. So, a spare battery/charger and a stand did not seem out-of-line.

 

[werinshades]

Yeah, I'm gonna take your advice and slow down now. I'll see how things go with the stock antenna for now. I'm hoping to avoid the DMR and NXDN upgrades and want to hear what the audio really sounds like myself, and yes, learn how to operate it. Honestly though, I'm was trying to beat the price increases on a lot of stuff, and get what I knew I'd need, so I would not have a long delay after it got here. So, a spare battery/charger and a stand did not seem out-of-line.

Here's my take on an extra battery, if you can charge it while it's on in the house, charge while on in the car while it's on, I don't see a need. The battery clip is very flimsy (many posts on broken battery clips), so why chance it with constant open and closing. It's easy to get caught up in all the "gotta have it" posts here, but the reality is only you know what you need. You can always order it later on, and unless you plan on listening to DMR and NXDN or know of a system you really want to listen to, hold off too. Get the stripped down model as it's expensive enough, and you can always purchase at a later time if truly needed.

 

[Omega-TI]

Here's my take on an extra battery, if you can charge it while it's on in the house, charge while on in the car while it's on, I don't see a need. The battery clip is very flimsy (many posts on broken battery clips), so why chance it with constant open and closing. It's easy to get caught up in all the "gotta have it" posts here, but the reality is only you know what you need. You can always order it later on, and unless you plan on listening to DMR and NXDN or know of a system you really want to listen to, hold off too. Get the stripped down model as it's expensive enough, and you can always purchase at a later time if truly needed.

Well, I've already purchased it, so it's a moot point. From previous experience, I've found it easier to swap batteries than to always have to worry about plugging it in here, there, or anywhere. "Swap & Go" has always been my SOP and it's worked well for me. I take VERY good care of my stuff, so no matter how fragile it is, I doubt I'll break it. Pity thought that they didn't make it a slide on like the old BC-200 XLT.

 

[werinshades]

Well, I've already purchased it, so it's a moot point. From previous experience, I've found it easier to swap batteries than to always have to worry about plugging it in here, there, or anywhere. "Swap & Go" has always been my SOP and it's worked well for me. I take VERY good care of my stuff, so no matter how fragile it is, I doubt I'll break it. Pity thought that they didn't make it a slide on like the old BC-200 XLT.

View attachment 114484

We've heard the many wish lists about the battery, from "I wish it was double A's" to responses like "it would take 10 double A's" etc. The clip isn't about "taking care of it", but it is inevitably going to break. Like you, I take good care of my equipment, however one day I pulled the scanner out to clean the window on my case. The battery clip was cracked, and since it had a case on, it was holding it in. No drops, it's charging now, goes with me in the car or outside, so it's only been in my possession. Ordered a few clips, replaced the broken one, and everything stays in place.

I have noticed your numerous posts on here about what to get, what's better than this etc. As you've seen, everyone has an opinion and some need to stay in business. So...when you get it, charge it, program it, turn it on and listen. Filters are an option that is already in the firmware, and many posts on that subject too. If I was a new purchaser after reading all this, my head would be spinning. Good luck when it arrives this week..

 

[maus92]

Forget this post - I thought you had a 436.

 

[trentbob]

Good advice about the battery clip from shades. I rarely swapped out the battery and it just disintegrated in my hand one day when I picked the radio up without the case on.

It is worth the cost of a case for the radio whether it be nylon or hard leather. Squeeze the case from the sides and don't push the bottom of the case up to get the radio out as that probably contributes to the breaking of the battery clip.