Uniden SDS100

[N1JWW]

I am looking to hear the local aircraft bands. Which antenna is best to use? I am hearing nothing with the antenna I am using? It is on the scanner. I am not using a discone antenna as I am mostly mobile.

Jeff W Waldrop
N1JWW

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

First thing's first: If you imported RRDB info via Sentinel or similar app into your scanner did you turn on the Aircraft service type? It is not enabled by default. If you still need an antenna recommendation after verifying service type consider this one. The SMA version of the linked antenna doesn't thread into the SDS100's port properly but you can use the linked BNC antenna if you still have the SMA to BNC adapter that came with the SDS100

 

[tvengr]

Westlake in what county and state?

 

[RMason]

Westlake in what county and state?

Looks like West Lake, Louisiana in Calcasieu Parish

 

[tvengr]

I also see Westlake in Ohio and Texas. OK, I see you traced it through the call sign. LA it is!

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

OP uses his amateur callsign as his forum handle. Easy to look up & find out what state. Just saying

N1JWW Callsign on QRZCQ.com

Ham radio call database for everyone

www.qrzcq.com

 

[tvengr]

OP uses his amateur callsign as his forum handle. Easy to look up & find out what state. Just saying

Thanks!

 

[wtp]

are you scanning known freqs or trying to scan the band ?

 

[Colin9690]

I am looking to hear the local aircraft bands. Which antenna is best to use? I am hearing nothing with the antenna I am using? It is on the scanner. I am not using a discone antenna as I am mostly mobile.

Jeff W Waldrop
N1JWW

The SDS isn't the best at picking up VHF-Air, it's a powerhouse when it comes to 700/800 MHz simulcast trunking, but not as tuned for VHF I've noticed.

Over the years on many different scanners I've used my Diamond RH77CA antenna for anything VHF. If you're set on a normal portable antenna, that's probably your best shot. Be aware, it's about 2.5X the length of the factory antenna, and slightly "floppy" because it's thinner.

 

[Bob1955]

I am looking to hear the local aircraft bands. Which antenna is best to use? I am hearing nothing with the antenna I am using? It is on the scanner. I am not using a discone antenna as I am mostly mobile.

Jeff W Waldrop
N1JWW

The Bearcat SDS100 does not receive aircraft that well from what I saw on past postings on Radioreference.com so you are better off with a Bearcat BC125AT strickly for Aircraft and ALL analog.
Hope you have a nice weekend.

Bob (KB2GQK)

 

[N1GTL]

The SDS isn't the best at picking up VHF-Air....

You're not lying! I bought a BC125AT for VHF and UHF, AM and analog. It works so much better than the SDS for those bands.

 

[GlobalNorth]

I get better reception with a 536HP than my SDS100/200 units.

 

[IC-R20]

I get better reception with a 536HP than my SDS100/200 units.

Same with my 436HP. Also VHF sensitivity can be somewhat solved on both by overcompensating on the antenna. I use the BNC adapter and pop a diamond RH205 on mine for low signal level VHF like aviation and railroad reception.

When mobile I just use an external preamp to drive a stronger signal into it. There used to be small inline BNC preamps that were battery powered that you could use for portable ops but I haven’t seen any being made the past 10 years, though plenty of diy circuit kits. I bought a GRE Super Amp or something I think it was called back in 2010 on eBay that was good for that but have since lost it after multiple moves.

 

[N1JWW]

are you scanning known freqs or trying to scan the band ?

Known frequencies for two local airports.

Lake Charles Regional

Chennault Int'l Airport

 

[buddrousa]

I must have found 3 Unicorns as my SDS200 and 2 SDS100's work solid on my antenna combiner sitting right beside my 15x's 15's 996p2's and 536's and they are just as good as the others the only scanner I have in the rack that is hotter is the new BCD160DN and BCD260DN but they tend to suffer from overload if you are in a hot RF high power area.

 

[radioman2008]

I use one of these diamond Discone antennas. with a antenna connector adapter

it works good not just for aircraft in VHF but also the military aircraft in the 200-300mhz area, and a special bonus, it seems to work the best at picking up the analog military satellite south american bootleggers in the 245-265Mhz area.

Diamond Antenna D3000N Diamond Antenna D3000N Super Discone Antennas | DX Engineering

Free Shipping - Diamond Antenna D3000N Super Discone Antennas with qualifying orders of $99. Shop Discone Antennas at DX Engineering.

www.dxengineering.com

 

[Echo4Thirty]

I must have found 3 Unicorns as my SDS200 and 2 SDS100's work solid on my antenna combiner sitting right beside my 15x's 15's 996p2's and 536's and they are just as good as the others the only scanner I have in the rack that is hotter is the new BCD160DN and BCD260DN but they tend to suffer from overload if you are in a hot RF high power area.

You must have. My 100 is horrid on VHF AIR even with a proper VHF antenna. I have not really done a lot of VHF listening outside of the airband, so I cannot comment on that. It did not bother me much as I did not buy the 100 for that and good VHF Air receivers are a dime a dozen.

What bothers me more is the TWO trips its taken to uniden to have its solder repairs. I am scared to use it and dont trust the durability. One of these days ill get around to selling it, but now its just a nightstand decoration and I use other radios in its place.

 

[W3DMV]

Looking in the RRDB, I don’t see much info for your area for aircraft.
> Make sure your aircraft service type is selected.
> These frequencies are from my aircraft manual and should be
programmed in your scanner.

Lake Charles Reg
120,7. CTAF
122.95 Unicom
118.75 ATIS
121.8. Ground
120.7 . Tower
257.8. Tower (Military)
119.35 Approach/Departure
119.8. Approach/Departure
282.3. Approach/Departure (Military)
353.75 Approach/Departure (Military)
124.7. Houston Center
317.4. Houston Center (Military)
119.75 Off Shore Helicopters
———
Chennault Intl
124.2 CTAF
122.95 Unicom
120.0 ATIS
121.65 Ground
124.2. Tower
119.8. Approach/Departure
———
Good luck.. I have both SDS100 & SDS200
Both work fine on aircraft reception for me..

 

[TopGunPhoto]

I had the same issue, I couldn't pick up much standing at the airport with my SDS100 vs my BC125AT both using the Diamond Rh77 antenna. I quickly sold the SDS and happy I kept my 125, just recently picked up the BC160 and it's great.

 

[R0am3r]

I must have found 3 Unicorns as my SDS200 and 2 SDS100's work solid on my antenna combiner sitting right beside my 15x's 15's 996p2's and 536's and they are just as good as the others the only scanner I have in the rack that is hotter is the new BCD160DN and BCD260DN but they tend to suffer from overload if you are in a hot RF high power area.

I have two more of these Unicorns. Oddly enough, mine work great when fitted with proper antennas.