the future of digital scanners

[rayvelcoro]

Any engineers/technicians out there know if they'll ever be able to make a digital trunking scanner that can deal with simulcast and not be so finicky overall?

 

[W4ELL]

Any engineers/technicians out there know if they'll ever be able to make a digital trunking scanner that can deal with simulcast and not be so finicky overall?

This could be what you speak of... it isn't out yet.
http://forums.radioreference.com/un...sds100-prerelease-discussion.html#post2900679

 

[I_am_Alpha1]

Any engineers/technicians out there know if they'll ever be able to make a digital trunking scanner that can deal with simulcast and not be so finicky overall?

Motorola XTL5000...plenty on E-Bay today...and cheaper than Uniden and Whistler. They are harder to program, but since they are commercial radios, they get the job done.

 

[Voyager]

They also lack many features by comparison. But they have a few features the SDS100 doesn't, too.

 

[rayvelcoro]

Thanks. Not exactly sure what "software defined" means as applied to a portable.

 

[radio3353]

Thanks. Not exactly sure what "software defined" means as applied to a portable.

SDR has nothing to do with the external package. SDR is 'just' incorporating functions in software that used to be handled by hardware.

 

[rayvelcoro]

SDS 100 definitely gets my attention, but I have to wonder what Whistler has on the horizon. It took me a year to figure out the nuances of the TRX-1 (and still learning!). I'd prefer to stick to a familiar platform at this point as I doubt I'd have the patience to "start all over."

 

[Ensnared]

Three Options

Any engineers/technicians out there know if they'll ever be able to make a digital trunking scanner that can deal with simulcast and not be so finicky overall?

SDS 100, Unication G5, professional grade radio capable of receiving target frequencies.

 

[tumegpc]

SDS 100, Unication G5, professional grade radio capable of receiving target frequencies.

I don't think the SDS100 comes even close to being professional grade. It's design comes from a scanner that has been plagued with hardware and software problems for years.

 

[hamstang]

Oh really?

I don't think the SDS100 comes even close to being professional grade. It's design comes from a scanner that has been plagued with hardware and software problems for years.

Do you have inside info from Uniden about future product design?

 

[jonwienke]

I don't think the SDS100 comes even close to being professional grade. It's design comes from a scanner that has been plagued with hardware and software problems for years.

Corrections:
1. While the SDS100 uses the same general programming format as the BCDx36HP series, the receiver hardware is different, the display is different, the battery is different, and the SDS100 has a waterproof case. But other than that they are identical.

2. The hardware issues in the x36 line were resolved in 2015-2016, and Uniden has a repair program for affected customers that pays shipping in both directions.

3. Uniden firmware is no buggier than anyone else's, and Uniden is pretty responsive to customer feedback regarding bugs.

 

[tumegpc]

Corrections:
1. While the SDS100 uses the same general programming format as the BCDx36HP series, the receiver hardware is different, the display is different, the battery is different, and the SDS100 has a waterproof case. But other than that they are identical.

2. The hardware issues in the x36 line were resolved in 2015-2016, and Uniden has a repair program for affected customers that pays shipping in both directions.

3. Uniden firmware is no buggier than anyone else's, and Uniden is pretty responsive to customer feedback regarding bugs.

(IPX4) standards for water resistance not water proof. And any GPS mod will void that rating.

 

[rayvelcoro]

If I decide to order a Unication G5 (live in the Atlanta area), can I depend on the supplier to properly program the radio for what I want to listen to?

 

[mule1075]

If I decide to order a Unication G5 (live in the Atlanta area), can I depend on the supplier to properly program the radio for what I want to listen to?

Highly unlikely.

 

[jonwienke]

(IPX4) standards for water resistance not water proof. And any GPS mod will void that rating.

https://1drv.ms/u/s!ApJIS-l4xqPtgvF5SAa4uzgnTv6plg
You might be surprised...

 

[tumegpc]

https://1drv.ms/u/s!ApJIS-l4xqPtgvF5SAa4uzgnTv6plg
You might be surprised...

Awesome Jon ! So can this be done on the 436 and SDS100 with no external case modification ?

 

[jonwienke]

No, I'm making a cutout in the case, but I seal the cutout with DAP clear adhesive caulk (which is also how I secure the GPS module in place). If the rest of the case is sealed against water intrusion, the GPS mod won't change that.

 

[radio3353]

No, I'm making a cutout in the case, but I seal the cutout with DAP clear adhesive caulk (which is also how I secure the GPS module in place). If the rest of the case is sealed against water intrusion, the GPS mod won't change that.

The caulk you are using withstands water immersion? I think that defines waterproof as opposed to waterresistant. What is the p/n of the caulk you use? Thanks.

 

[radio3353]

SDS 100, Unication G5, professional grade radio capable of receiving target frequencies.

Just to clarify, the G5 is not a scanner which is what the OP was asking about. Nevertheless, for monitoring a single system at a time, the G5 (or G4) is hard to beat.

 

[KB7MIB]

I don't think the SDS100 comes even close to being professional grade. It's design comes from a scanner that has been plagued with hardware and software problems for years.

He wasn't saying that the SDS100 was a professional grade radio.

He was giving the OP 3 options: a Uniden SDS100 when it is released, a Unication G5 pager (a G4 would also work), or a professional grade radio properly programmed for non-affiliate scan.

John
Peoria, AZ