Best scanner to look into, not SDS Series?

[chad_96]

The Colorado State system seems similar to my home system, in Minnesota, ARMER. We have a lot of simulcast in the Metro and then more so single sites in the rural/outstate areas. My old Radio Shack scanners don't work at all for most of our sites, minus a few. I run Unication G5's in addition to my Department radios. I too played the game with my Uniden 436/536HP with Simulcast and non Simulcast sites, and it was kind-of a lost cause. I ended up selling them, and have considered getting an SDS, but haven't yet. I would say to keep your SDS's, and perhaps start from scratch. If you have Facebook, there are many scanner groups, and one gentlemen in particular, who is extremely good at programming, and he is able to help a lot of folks with their issues. Send me a PM if you'd like some more information. I'd be happy to help in anyway I can.

Thanks for the reply.

I'm still debating on ditching the SDS series. I have been told by a few people if I don't have simulcast and don't need the SDS series, get rid of them. Those are folks who are very active on these forums and like many very knowledgeable.

Main reason, I don't need anything for simulcast (it appears), and the receivers are much better in other models, that I've been told to look at. I'm in a bit of a crappy area with signal issues and interference. This being their reasoning as to suggesting to ditch the SDS scanners for other models.

So, in limbo on what I'm going to do overall.

I was a member of a few FB groups. Still am on a couple. Of you're speaking of Frank Belcher, I'm in a couple of his groups. If you're speaking of Mark Levine, he's a P.O.S. who I called out and he banned me for proving factual points on his "Huge groups" that are no different than the rest. But, thanks for the help and insight.

 

[chad_96]

You'll have to see if the site you want to monitor is actually simulcast. I know at least some of it isn't I was just out there visiting my daughter in Greeley and while Weld county was simulcast on the front range system the DTRS site I was listening too was not simulcast. I actually monitored that when first got there on my 536 prior to getting my Unication pager re-programmed. I don't remember which site it was though. "Something" mountain. I know that won't help out there a lot.

Yeah, I think after reading more I have been confused by the Colorado DTRS system only "operating similar" to the way simulcast works, but not truly being simulcast. That of course unless it is a simulcast noted area.

 

[kb9klc]

So yes those counties are included and on the state dtrs system. As well as CSP.. simulcast systems you aren't likely to find anything better than the sds200 to scan those systems.

Where are you getting the sites in Otero are simulcast? Those are not a simulcast system. Just like when I was out there and listened to Buckhorn Mountain, my 536 received it fine, not simulcast, it was a single site. I haven't looked at the other county he mentioned yet but the two sites in Otero are not simulcast. Edit: The systems in Bent CO are not simulcast either.

 

[kb9klc]

Yeah, I think after reading more I have been confused by the Colorado DTRS system only "operating similar" to the way simulcast works, but not truly being simulcast. That of course unless it is a simulcast noted area.

This....Exactly this. If it's simulcast it will say so. There are 2 sites in Otero and 3 ( I think I saw) in Bent CO, none of those sites are simulcast. It appears there are 5 simulcast areas doing a quick search with Command F (or control F on a windows box) found only 5 sites that say they are simulcast.

 

[kb9klc]

So, you're SDS200 was your best option. No other radio does well on any of the simulcast systems on Colorado DTRS. I had a BC436HP before I got the SDS100 when I lived there and it was missing so many transmissions and cutting off half of comms. I'd stick with your SDS200 as you aren't going to get any better reception via those others. Especially not the BC436HP.
Why all the filter fighting? I've never set any filters on my SDS100 and had great results.

No other "scanner" does as well. Then enter the Unication voice pagers.... Question did you have the same antenna on the same scanner at the same time for your test? (the same make and model I realize you can't have the same screw on antenna on both scanners at the same time). Which system were you testing on if I could ask. I want to see if perhaps you had simulcast but the OP may not have that where he's trying to scan. Sure, should he travel to one of the 5 areas in CO that have simulcast then ya, if he needs to stay with a scanner go with an SDS. I'm really trying to find out what you were listening to out there where there was such a great difference "IF" it wasn't simulcast.
I had great luck with my Unication G5 and G4 out there when I was there, listening to the Weld CO simulcast on that Front Range system, on the G4 and DTRS on the 536 prior to getting it programmed into my G5. Then I moved the 536 back to some analog scanning.

 

[chad_96]

This....Exactly this. If it's simulcast it will say so. There are 2 sites in Otero and 3 ( I think I saw) in Bent CO, none of those sites are simulcast. It appears there are 5 simulcast areas doing a quick search with Command F (or control F on a windows box) found only 5 sites that say they are simulcast.

Yeah...

You see where things can be confused very easily. Not knocking anyone for their help, but I've dealt with everyone and their 20 different "This is how it works!" For awhile.

Definitely can be confusing at best sometimes.

Anyways, done my research after and found that the State of Colorado DTRS system simply "works similar" to the way simulcast operates, along with some minor explanation. Makes perfect sense..

 

[kb9klc]

Yeah...

You see where things can be confused very easily. Not knocking anyone for their help, but I've dealt with everyone and their 20 different "This is how it works!" For awhile.

Definitely can be confusing at best sometimes.

Anyways, done my research after and found that the State of Colorado DTRS system simply "works similar" to the way simulcast operates, along with some minor explanation. Makes perfect sense..

I'm absolutely sure everyone here is trying to help, I'd say 99% of us don't want you, or anyone else, to buy something they can't use in their area. I know nothing about the SDS programming but when I use Sentinel on my 536 and the 436 I sold, honestly I think that same stuff can do the SDS stuff so I guess they use the same stuff. Whatever you decide, good luck in your decision. IF you can understand the limitations of it and you're looking for something smaller than the HH scanners, look into the Unication pagers. Somewhat of a programming learning curve but, even traveling if you understand the limitations they're great. (and really small). Just another thing to help you "not decide" what to do LOL. EDIT: There are 5 simulcast sites in CO on DTRS, I don't know if you ever go there or not but just a thought in case you travel to any of those areas often. They're plainly listed as Simulcast on the RR database.

 

[chad_96]

I'm absolutely sure everyone here is trying to help, I'd say 99% of us don't want you, or anyone else, to buy something they can't use in their area. I know nothing about the SDS programming but when I use Sentinel on my 536 and the 436 I sold, honestly I think that same stuff can do the SDS stuff so I guess they use the same stuff. Whatever you decide, good luck in your decision. IF you can understand the limitations of it and you're looking for something smaller than the HH scanners, look into the Unication pagers. Somewhat of a programming learning curve but, even traveling if you understand the limitations they're great. (and really small). Just another thing to help you "not decide" what to do LOL. EDIT: There are 5 simulcast sites in CO on DTRS, I don't know if you ever go there or not but just a thought in case you travel to any of those areas often. They're plainly listed as Simulcast on the RR database.

I agree. I have met some great people who have a wealth of knowledge and are more than happy to help.

The last scanner I had before this was a very long time ago. So, this has been a hell of an adventure of learning.

From my understanding the sds series does use the same programming through sentinel as the 536/436. Honestly, my sds100 works absolutely perfect (as long as i dont take it off the mounting clip i would assume, havent touched it) BUT .. in a mysterious way that has confused myself, and some others I talk with on Here. Just want to consider a different base unit with a better front end.

Looked at unication pagers... I will leave those for the more advanced folks. Confused me just saying the name first time I heard of them.

I did look through the colorado database to locate any and all that were labeled simulcast to get educated on it as well.

Thanks for the input and advice, I sure appreciate it!

 

[kb9klc]

Looked at unication pagers... I will leave those for the more advanced folks. Confused me just saying the name first time I heard of them.

Me too till I got my first one, and the fellow was kind enough to program some stuff in there for me, then I found out I had another friend that helped me get another "plug" and after trying to figure that out I was a little better. I'm only about 3 months in on them but there's a lot of help out there (right here at RR) and thus far it's been about like the first time I tried to program a Motorola DMR radio.... Good luck in your decision, let us know what you decide.