SDS100 or BCD436HP

[privatepilot22]

My apologies if this has been addressed numerous times. I've looked through the forum but thought I might ask in my own post which might be best for my listening. I'm not a newbie to scanning but I would say a newbie to digital scanning. I listen to my BC125AT all the time and like the portability of it but in my limited knowledge (which I continue to expand upon) I understand there is the P25 phase 1 and phase 2 systems that I would need a digital scanner to receive. I live about 60 miles SW of St. Louis (63089) and I believe several agencies around my area are using the digital system including the Mo State Hwy Patrol. I'm not sure about simulcast as I would need to figure that out a little more. So the question is... would there be any disadvantage to going the extra for the SDS100? I don't mind the extra $$'s up front for that one as long as there's no disadvantages. I also have an outside scanner antenna with a BNC connector. Will that work on both of these models or would an adapter be necessary?

Thanks in advance for your advise and suggestions. I value your opinions.

 

[mc48]

Go for the SDS100, the only downside is that it uses a proprietary battery and not AA's, both radio's will require a BNC to SMA adapter for the antenna and they come with that. I own both a 436HP and SDS100 and the 100 is much better for simulcast.

 

[Ubbe]

If it turns out that you do not have any simulcast issues then you can probably pick up a 436 cheap from those that do have issues and have replaced it with a SDS100.

If you have simulcast issues then the SDS100 are the only way to go, if you want portability. If scanning from home you can use a $10 SDR dongle and one of the P25 trunk programs that will handle simulcast just as good as the SDS100. If mobile you can look at the Blue Tail receiver.

/Ubbe

 

[KK4JUG]

One other consideration: if you plan to travel with the scanner, you will undoubtedly encounter some simulcast that would need one of the SDS radios.

 

[hiegtx]

My apologies if this has been addressed numerous times. I've looked through the forum but thought I might ask in my own post which might be best for my listening. I'm not a newbie to scanning but I would say a newbie to digital scanning. I listen to my BC125AT all the time and like the portability of it but in my limited knowledge (which I continue to expand upon) I understand there is the P25 phase 1 and phase 2 systems that I would need a digital scanner to receive. I live about 60 miles SW of St. Louis (63089) and I believe several agencies around my area are using the digital system including the Mo State Hwy Patrol. I'm not sure about simulcast as I would need to figure that out a little more. So the question is... would there be any disadvantage to going the extra for the SDS100? I don't mind the extra $$'s up front for that one as long as there's no disadvantages. I also have an outside scanner antenna with a BNC connector. Will that work on both of these models or would an adapter be necessary?

Thanks in advance for your advise and suggestions. I value your opinions.

For your specific location. zip code 63089 (Franklin County), you don't currently have simulcast. However, should you venture a little eastward, into the St Louis metro area, you definitely will be hit with simulcast systems. As KK4JUG noted, if you travel to other areas, including to or through other large urban areas, simulcast is virtually a certainty.

While the SDS100 uses an SMA antenna connector, the scanner (if purchased new) comes with a BNC to SMA connector. If purchasing a previously owned scanner, be sure that either the seller includes the adapter, or else purchase one.