Best scanner to look into, not SDS Series?

[chad_96]

To circle back to your original question - I believe either the bcd536hp or bcd996p2 would make good replacements if you decide to part with the sds200. I have used both of these on the CO DTRS in northern Colorado with no issues.

RMason,

Thank you for your recommendation. I truly do appreciate your input, debate, whatever the cause.. you've been a great help.

Even if you took it out into left field 🤣

Edit* - your well put together definitions of what is simulcast and multicast and the short summary is the BEST straight to the point example I have ever seen! Sums all of it up in a hurry!

I'm simply hearing what I'm hearing due to affiliation to the sites. Nothing more nothing less. Got that a long time ago.

Want to hear me describe how a radio affiliates to a site? You don't want to miss this horrible description I put together in my own words...

Thank you

 

[hazrat8990]

Honestly, I think the best solution would be to post it up in the classified section. You can either sell it outright and buy a 536, or maybe you'll get lucky and be able to trade with someone that lives in a simulcast area, that way both parties would benefit.

@chad_96 I feel your frustration and have been there myself. Truth is that no amount of tweaking settings has ever been able to get my SDS200 to run as good as my 436 or either one of my 536's. In reality, the only things I even like about the SDS200 are the color screen, and direct LAN connection. What I stated in post #7 pretty much sums up my experience with owning one. Best scanner to look into, not SDS Series?

 

[chad_96]

Honestly, I think the best solution would be to post it up in the classified section. You can either sell it outright and buy a 536, or maybe you'll get lucky and be able to trade with someone that lives in a simulcast area, that way both parties would benefit.

@chad_96 I feel your frustration and have been there myself. Truth is that no amount of tweaking settings has ever been able to get my SDS200 to run as good as my 436 or either one of my 536's. In reality, the only things I even like about the SDS200 are the color screen, and direct LAN connection. What I stated in post #7 pretty much sums up my experience with owning one. Best scanner to look into, not SDS Series?

Yeah, that's been a consideration. I do have someone local who wants to buy it as well. I don't really want to do trade as I've done that in the past and got past a bad trade. Rather buy new. But I get what you're saying.

I am a firm believer in no amount of tweaking settings and so on will make a sds unit work as well as others. I believe this as I think it also falls into the specific area and all the interference in that are in play for that area. Just as the filters are described " what works in one area will be different in another". This is simply backed up by the absolute garbage front end the sds series has.

A better scanner whether it be the 536hp or 996p2, both handle weaker signals better and aren't subject to interference as much. Both huge bonuses. I do admit I like the look and well everything about the 200. I have it working pretty well since I ditched the outdoor antenna and put a band specific remtronix on it. Just a few mysterious issues thay truly aren't too bad at this point. But I know I could have better results and scanning. Been a hard decision to make.

Anyways, thanks for the advice. I agree with you for sure. Thanks again!

 

[ryolsen8]

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.

Yes, Frank Belcher is who I was referring to. I would suggest to weight out your options, as you've certainly received a lot of very good answers here. Figure out what is important to you, and make a decision. I hope your scanning needs are met with a different unit and are successful.

 

[chad_96]

Yes, Frank Belcher is who I was referring to. I would suggest to weight out your options, as you've certainly received a lot of very good answers here. Figure out what is important to you, and make a decision. I hope your scanning needs are met with a different unit and are successful.

Thanks much for the advice! I will, absolutely. Yes, I know frank, great guy.

Thanks again!

 

[a727469]

I know nothing about Colorado systems, but I do know this thread has gone on for 4 pages and seems to come down to a simple answer….buy a 996 ( which I own one a great unit) try it on the systems you want to listen to…if it works, keep it and sell the 200, if not, keep the 200 and return the 996…simple. If the timing is right(credit card, selling a radio etc.) you might not have to put out any money. I own both units and love them both.

 

[AngWay]

To get your SDS to run like your 536 there ARE some tweaks you need to do, and some TLC is needed first.

What are those tweaks?

 

[AngWay]

My SDS200 runs side by side with my 536's sharing the same antenna I do not see the problems as I am running 15's 15x's 996p2's 536's SDS200 and TRX-2 all sharing the same antenna. I would take another SDS200 and add it to my rack if I find one in the Classifieds for a good deal.

I have been looking hard at the TRX-2 how do you like your's?

 

[rf_patriot200]

What are those tweaks?

They depend on your listening area and what systems are in play, but Many of them can be done on Sentinel, and some on the keys.

I have been looking hard at the TRX-2 how do you like your's?

The tweaks on the SDS 200 has a lot to do with the areas you want to hear, and where you are. Sentinel and your keypad is your Friend. Proscan helps making changes too. Avoiding many of the services and talkgroups greatly seems to increase efficiency of the SDS, which I would advise over the TRX-2 hands down, from what I've read from other users. Also I Don't have a TRX-2 and likely won't.

 

[buddrousa]

It works good for what I use it for along beside my Unidens. I would not be willing to pay the overrated list price for my TRX-1 or TRX-2 right now with little to no Whistler Support. Things happen my TRX-2 had to go back after 3 months for a bad external speaker jack right now with a new scanner you would not get that support.

 

[AngWay]

Avoiding many of the services and talkgroups greatly seems to increase efficiency of the SDS

Not sure i understand what u meant here, can you elaborate just a little more?

 

[a727469]

I have been looking hard at the TRX-2 how do you like your's?

As stated by others, save your money, avoid Whistler. Not worth the hassle for an old maybe unsupported radio especially with better, cheaper supported ones.
Back on topic, I think the OP was selling his 200 but he says no amount of tweaking can make it work as well as others but I definitely disagree. I have a 200 and a 996p2 on the same antenna and they are equal on every type of system I listen to both analog and digital. Yes, there was tweaking but minimal. Nothing in life is 100% plug and play😉

 

[buddrousa]

I have 20 ports shared from the same antenna feeding 15's 15x's 996p2's 536's SDS200 and my TRX-2 with all my Unidens dedicated to specific task and I can change the 996p2 536 and SDS200 to any Digital or Analog Task with no noticed performance loss.

 

[AngWay]

Thinking about getting another scanner which would you suggest between the 996p2 the TRX-2 or the 536hp?

 

[chad_96]

Back on topic, I think the OP was selling his 200 but he says no amount of tweaking can make it work as well as others but I definitely disagree.

Interesting... explain, in detail, why you disagree and what you would/can/did "Tweak" to make it work just as well.

I can't wait to hear this... I'm all ears

 

[rf_patriot200]

Not sure i understand what u meant here, can you elaborate just a little more?

Avoiding the departments and agencies you're Not interested in by using Sentinal, and setting the filters for your areas of interest will allow the 200 much more efficiently.

 

[AngWay]

Avoiding the departments and agencies you're Not interested in by using Sentinal, and setting the filters for your areas of interest will allow the 200 much more efficiently.

Oh ok so by customizing your favorite lists with only what you want to listen to and cutting the rest out. Yea that exactly what I do with sentinel.

 

[a727469]

Interesting... explain, in detail, why you disagree and what you would/can/did "Tweak" to make it work just as well.

I can't wait to hear this... I'm all ears

Filters, filters, filters. No more details. There are copious amounts of messages explaining this in the forums and I spent maybe an hour experimenting and setting the filters for my various lists and for real life daily listening I can hear no difference between the 200 and other radios I own or have owned. I do not use separate meters to measure etc but only my ears👂😃

Maybe I am missing something but can you explain what you mean by “work as well”?

 

[chad_96]

Filters, filters, filters. No more details. There are copious amounts of messages explaining this in the forums and I spent maybe an hour experimenting and setting the filters for my various lists and for real life daily listening I can hear no difference between the 200 and other radios I own or have owned. I do not use separate meters to measure etc but only my ears👂😃

Maybe I am missing something but can you explain what you mean by “work as well”?

I was actually waiting for one of the many responses that have been hammered out in numerous other threads, from you. Hence as to why I stated, "I can't wait to hear this...I'm all ears." Maybe that came off wrong, but wasn't the intention.

I was merely, awaiting one of the numerous responses I've read in hundreds of threads.

I can say, what I am getting at,overall, is the fact that the front is is horrible in the SDS series. It's noted, very heavily, in many threads. This allowing obviously for interferences to plague the SDS scanners. It also doesn't decode weak signal well at all. You can't "Tweak" anything to change those things...

Filters had been a major problem. Seems my issues with having to change the filter had to do with my interference/s, from whatever they were coming from. Changed my outdoor antenna back to Remtronix 843b back-of-set antenna, and set the filters (by ear) and have been running very well, with very minimal issues, as opposed to the overwhelming amount of issue I was experiencing.

I can say, I am running well. If I could get my outdoor antenna issue corrected, (things seem to tend to lean towards interferences. And maybe needing to be raised higher) I will keep the SDS, but still very interested in the 536hp or 996p2, leaning towards 536hp.

Anyways. That's simply where I was at with my post. Can't change or tweak the front end issue. But, maybe my area is just working against me differently than most...

 

[a727469]

Yes, the technology sometimes limits sdr receivers. I do understand that everyone’s experience and location affect reception and that is why I say this is my experience only. I will go with you on the interference argument depending on location, but not the decode since I have some somewhat difficult sites to receive and the 200 and my 996 are equal.
However, like most things in life, we all must judge based on our own usage of a product and based upon a majority of users who are happy with it. All products have + and -. That is not to say that those who are not happy are wrong, but taking the good with the bad, the majority rules.👍👎
In the end, it is what makes you happy and opinions are just opinions! I am glad things are running ok for you. One way or the other, I suggest not to fret too much and just enjoy!😺
One last “opinion”. Get the 996!❗️