SDS100 in Central Ohio?

[mike4nzix]

Just wondering if there are any regulars to this sub-forum that has the SDS100 up and running in Central Ohio, and how they view the unit's performance on local systems?

I received the SDS100 on Thursday from Zip Scanners. After years of Grecom (Pro107) - Whistler (TRX 1) use and then advancing to the Unication G5 a few months ago, I struggled to program my first modern Uniden device all the way through the weekend. As of now I'm not a fan of the Sentinel software or the hardware's OS, but by Sunday evening I was able to monitor Zones 1-5 on the Columbus City site from Violet Township in between Pickerington and Baltimore.

I wasn't expecting the SDS100 to do as well as the G5 on the Columbus City simulcast site, but it more than holds its own. Side by side, each unit delivers consistent traffic. With the five very active dispatch talkgroups active on both units, there was variety on what was being delivered through each, but neither had garbled or incomplete audio using factory antennas.

Audio is quite good on the SDS100, but not as crisp or deep as the G5. The Uniden's display is obviously a huge step up from the Unication. It's hard to beat the size of the G5, but the SDS is preferable over the TRX 1. The belt clip on the new Uniden is atrocious, unfortunately.

Has anyone had success with the SDS100 scanning the Lancaster site?

 

[poormr]

I just wanted to jump in since I am in North Central Ohio (Marion) and just got a SDS100. I am having a ball. The Sentinel Software is new to me and is a learning curve. I am listening to departments that I have not listened to before and with out an issue.

 

[phask]

Guess you missed where one of the Beta testers was from Marion and did several videos and reports from CBus.

I'd expect no issue for Lancaster - or any other MARCS sites for that matter.

 

[mike4nzix]

Guess you missed where one of the Beta testers was from Marion and did several videos and reports from CBus.

I did catch those actually, but being a beta unit (that looked to me like it was having simulcast issues) I thought it was worth asking about both the retail model (and current firmware), as well as having dedicated time in one's home to program the unit to their liking.

I'm in the Northwest corner of Fairfield County, and both the G5 and SDS100 have their issues with the Lancaster site. I hope the rumored Baltimore site comes to fruition, as I even hear officers saying that a fellow LE is in an area without reception.

 

[jasonhouk]

While I never made it to the Lancaster area. The production units with the latest firmware should monitor MARCS:IP in that area with no issues.

Poorman and I will be meeting again Wednesday to discuss the possibility of setting up a monthly maybe bi-monthly (depends on the input we get) group get together for scanning enthusiast just like us. That way anyone that hasn't seen the SDS100 first hand can and also exchange the wealth of information we as a group have aquired.

Well start a separate thread to get more input from y'all when we're closer to gathing our initial thoughts.

Houk

Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

 

[mike4nzix]

While I never made it to the Lancaster area. The production units with the latest firmware should monitor MARCS:IP in that area with no issues.

Poorman and I will be meeting again Wednesday to discuss the possibility of setting up a monthly maybe bi-monthly (depends on the input we get) group get together for scanning enthusiast just like us. That way anyone that hasn't seen the SDS100 first hand can and also exchange the wealth of information we as a group have aquired.

Well start a separate thread to get more input from y'all when we're closer to gathing our initial thoughts.

Houk

Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

Thank you, sir. That would be quite helpful.

Have you noticed a difference in performance from the beta firwmare to what is current?

 

[phask]

I did catch those actually, but being a beta unit (that looked to me like it was having simulcast issues) I thought it was worth asking about both the retail model (and current firmware), as well as having dedicated time in one's home to program the unit to their liking.

I'm in the Northwest corner of Fairfield County, and both the G5 and SDS100 have their issues with the Lancaster site. I hope the rumored Baltimore site comes to fruition, as I even hear officers saying that a fellow LE is in an area without reception.

That is probably just reception issues, while the SDS does do better than the 536 on weak MARCS, it still can't do miracles.


Better antennas mean a LOT... Even a mag mount indoors is a huge help.

 

[jasonhouk]

Absolutely, we've identified and cleared over 200 bugs.

Best part is the more users in the wild will find additional issues and I'm for one, that will help submit the bug through the beta group which in the end only makes the unit that more solid of an investment in our hobby.

Houk

Thank you, sir. That would be quite helpful.

Have you noticed a difference in performance from the beta firwmare to what is current?

Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

 

[escortz28]

Hi All - would be most interested in a central-Ohio get together.

I am experimenting with the various settings on the 100. My primary listening is COIRS followed by MARCS. On COIRS my 100 is not receiving all of the transmissions that my primary 436 receives (haven't compared yet with my other 436's or 536's) - both on stock OEM antennas, stationary and a few inches apart, same squelch setting (2), held on same talk group (main sheriff dispatch). As far as a count - about 1-in-8 not received. Generally it is shorter (duration) transmissions that were missed.

I've observed that my 100 exhibits more positional sensitivity than my 436's, i.e. if the scanner is not vertical, say held at a 45 degree angle and still inches away from the 436, it receives even less transmissions than the 436. I've repeated in a few locations within my house.

Reading other posts, I did find one where someone described a similar observation of not receiving as many transmissions (also on a P25 P1 system). They adjusted their 100 squelch to 1 (was at 2). I changed on my 100 and it did improve, receiving more transmissions but still not 100% as compared with the 436. The miss count improved to about 1-in-14. Both scanners in vertical position side-by-side on a table.

I will continue to experiment with the 100 configuration as I have time. I will report back on my progress.

 

[phask]

If all that you are monitoring are trunked systems, try setting squelch to zero.


If you have any conventional that won't work of course.