SDS100/SDS200: SDS100 Upgrades Question

[Slimothy6]

Hey all,

Probably a silly question but I searched the forum and don't see any answers.

I purchased an SDS100
I plugged it into computer
I upgraded Firmware
I upgraded Database
I then "Wrote to Scanner" (not sure if this is necessary, but it seemed to clear all my custom beeps and settings).
I then unplugged the scanner properly.

I then purchased ProVoice, DMR, and NXDN from Uniden's website
I then entered each key into the scanner to activate it.

The question: Do I need to plug my scanner back into my computer and run any database updates now that those have been "enabled" to begin receiving DMR/ProVoice/NXDN channels on my scanner or am I just good to go?

Side question: do I need to plug my scanner in weekly for updates? And if so, do I have to update the database and then "Write to scanner" every time?

Cheers!

 

[nessnet]

Question #1: No, if.... You didn't specify if you are doing zip code, GPS or favorite list scanning. If the first 2, then no. If using favorites, have you built a favorite with the systems in question already?

Question #2: Updates are needed only if there have been any changes on systems of interest to you. If you live in Florida and they update a system in Nevada, why bother. That said, many do update regularly, just to have the latest version of the database.

NOTE:
Downloading the database and loading it into your radio DOES NOT update any programmed favorites. It has to be done manually, or you need to re-load the system in question. Which will overwrite any 'custom' programming you have done. But again, if zip code or GPS scanning, then the above does not apply.

 

[trentbob]

Just to add, if you make custom changes on the radio itself using the keyboard like assigning a filter to a site in a particular system or avoiding certain talk groups or changing volume offset on an object or moving an object from one favorites list to another, or any other changes you make on the radio itself, when you hook up to Sentinel you must first transfer data to your profile from the radio first thing or when you transfer data back to your radio from Sentinel it will change all of your custom settings you made right on the radio back to whatever you had set in your profile.

 

[Slimothy6]

Question #1: No, if.... You didn't specify if you are doing zip code, GPS or favorite list scanning. If the first 2, then no. If using favorites, have you built a favorite with the systems in question already?

Question #2: Updates are needed only if there have been any changes on systems of interest to you. If you live in Florida and they update a system in Nevada, why bother. That said, many do update regularly, just to have the latest version of the database.

NOTE:
Downloading the database and loading it into your radio DOES NOT update any programmed favorites. It has to be done manually, or you need to re-load the system in question. Which will overwrite any 'custom' programming you have done. But again, if zip code or GPS scanning, then the above does not apply.

Got it, so really if I'm using the scanner vanilla with no favorites, I don't need to hook up again and download anything. The keys I purchased just automatically let the scanner "scan" those freqs which it previously wasn't, if I'm understanding correctly.

Just to add, if you make custom changes on the radio itself using the keyboard like assigning a filter to a site in a particular system or avoiding certain talk groups or changing volume offset on an object or moving an object from one favorites list to another, or any other changes you make on the radio itself, when you hook up to Sentinel you must first transfer data to your profile from the radio first thing or when you transfer data back to your radio from Sentinel it will change all of your custom settings you made right on the radio back to whatever you had set in your profile.

Interesting. In my case, I was "writing" to the scanner and it unmuted beeps, took away my backlighting from the keys, changed how it dims, etc. Not sure why it did that hopefully just a one time thing.

Maybe if I save a profile to the Sentinel software it'll save those prefs when I re-write to the scanner? I just want to make sure everything (database-wise, with regards to freqs etc) are always up to date. But I don't want my settings getting erased each time.
I don't have favorites or anything so I'm not too worried about that.

 

[nessnet]

Maybe if I save a profile to the Sentinel software it'll save those prefs when I re-write to the scanner? I just want to make sure everything (database-wise, with regards to freqs etc) are always up to date. But I don't want my settings getting erased each time.
I don't have favorites or anything so I'm not too worried about that.

No maybe.....
If you read from the radio first - all your settings will be in Sentinel.
Reading from the radio will not overwrite the new, updated database in Sentinel.

Then, writing back to the radio will update the database..... with all your settings, etc intact.

 

[Slimothy6]

No maybe.....
If you read from the radio first - all your settings will be in Sentinel.
Reading from the radio will not overwrite the new, updated database in Sentinel.

Then, writing back to the radio will update the database..... with all your settings, etc intact.

Awesome, that makes sense. So I just need to write to Sentinel, then update, and write back to scanner and all of the freqs will be updated etc. Got it! Thank you both, super helpful