SDS100/SDS200: Clicking Noise SDS 200

[ofd8001]

Being concerned what the future might hold for tariffs, I ordered an SDS 200 which arrived today. It was programmed and the firmware updated to the current release.

The good news is that I am receiving things from adjacent counties that the 536 that it replaced, did not.

The bad news is that I hear an annoying clicking sound on Conventional P25 frequencies. This occurs while the repeater is doing its "hang" thing. In other words when the display goes from P25 to LINK, I hear the clicking sound until the scan resumes. It does not do this for trunked systems.

I'm noticing this on multiple frequencies across UHF and VHF. Changed squelch settings to no avail.

There are no priority functions in operation (Priority, Priority ID or weather).

I'm sort of wondering if this might be associated with the firmware update. My other SDS 200 or SDS 100 does not do this nor does the 536 it replaced.

As another clue, when the clicking happens, I notice the signal strength indicator flashes, like it lost signal.

 

[buddrousa]

Is this noise on all Conventional Channels or just a few?
My 2 SDS200's one is 1st release date and the 2nd a couple of years old, and I do not see that problem and I am running newest firmware.

 

[ofd8001]

Seems limited to P25 conventional. Three systems are involved. One UHF two VHF.

Offending scanner is new with latest firmware.

I have an older SdS200 that has not had firmware updated and it does not do this.

 

[buddrousa]

Did you try ifx
Did you try different filters
Did you try is in a different location to eliminate sources at its location

 

[werinshades]

Since you have a comaprison scanner and have tried all the remedies, I'd suspect something could be wrong with the "new" SDS200. What was the manufacture date? Might have no choice but to return it for a replacement.

 

[ofd8001]

Not sure how to check manufacture date. . .

Tried changing filters to no avail, nor ifx. Location should not be an issue. It is connected to an outside antenna.

 

[werinshades]

Not sure how to check manufacture date. . .

Tried changing filters to no avail, nor ifx. Location should not be an issue. It is connected to an outside antenna.

Serial # 38426xx...I should say the year it was manufactured. xx's are the year.

 

[Enforcer52]

Location should not be an issue. It is connected to an outside antenna.

I would still change it's location, could be some other electrical interference from another appliance or wall wart. Try different locations in the house and even outside if possible.

 

[kc2asb]

What about powering it with the wall wart from your "good" SDS-200? Just a thought, and likely not the problem, but at least it eliminates the possibility of the new radio's power supply being defective

 

[ofd8001]

Tried all of the above with no luck. Sticker S/N is 384Z4800... ESN is 384260400...

So I'm guessing perhaps 2024. It came from ScannerMaster, which I think moves product pretty quick.

This scanner is programmed identical to my original SDS200, which I got very early in their life cycle, which doesn't have the issue. The only difference would be the firmware.

Thanks to all who have offered suggestions.

 

[wtp]

squelch setting ?
Press the scroll control again to close the volume level (or let it disappear after 10 seconds). Press Func then press the scroll control to display the squelch level.
Turn the scroll control counter-clockwise all the way then clockwise until the noise stops, then one notch more. Press the scroll control again to close the squelch level.

 

[wtp]

(SDS200) Rotate VOL clockwise and set the volume to around 10 o’clock. Rotate the SQ knob counter-clockwise all the way, and then rotate the VOL knob to find a comfortable volume level. Rotate the SQ clockwise until the noise stops, then one notch more.

 

[buddrousa]

Sorry you are still having the problem. But this is only on P25 Conventional correct? Is there any chance you can post a video of this for us to see?

 

[ofd8001]

Tried to no avail.

 

[tvengr]

This scanner is programmed identical to my original SDS200, which I got very early in their life cycle, which doesn't have the issue.

Turn off any other scanners. Scanners can interfere with each other and cause clicking sounds.

 

[ofd8001]

Relocated to different area. No joy

 

[kc2asb]

Is your good SDS-200 programming identical to the new one? Another idea would be to swap in the SD card from your good SDS-200 and see if it goes away. Aside from that, perhaps you can try calling Scanner Master and holding it up to the phone to see if they have any insight.

 

[faojk911]

I too began experiencing this since the latest firmware update. Only conventional P25 channels, not P25 trunk. Like your situation, the clicking occurs when the repeater tail is active. I have one SDS200, which does not exhibit noise. The firmware was updated a week or so later and the clicking was present and obvious. I purchased a second SDS200 for my work office, immediately applied the firmware update when initially programmed, and the second is also exhibiting the clicking sound. Does not appear to be tied to the filter settings. Ruling out interference as my home unit uses the telescopic antenna (no nearby devices), my work unit is connected to an outdoor antenna. Both radios purchased within the past month or two. Not debilitating, but obvious, especially when in a quiet environment.

 

[gary123]

It sounds like the SDS200 is now trying to process the hangtime PDU. If you do not need the updated TIII settings I would suggest a roll back to the earlier version. Uniden should be able to fix the issue in a future release especially since they have correctly functioning code from previous releases to use as a reference.

 

[ofd8001]

I too began experiencing this since the latest firmware update. Only conventional P25 channels, not P25 trunk. Like your situation, the clicking occurs when the repeater tail is active. I have one SDS200, which does not exhibit noise. The firmware was updated a week or so later and the clicking was present and obvious. I purchased a second SDS200 for my work office, immediately applied the firmware update when initially programmed, and the second is also exhibiting the clicking sound. Does not appear to be tied to the filter settings. Ruling out interference as my home unit uses the telescopic antenna (no nearby devices), my work unit is connected to an outdoor antenna. Both radios purchased within the past month or two. Not debilitating, but obvious, especially when in a quiet environment.

Exactly!!

I'm definitely NOT gonna update the firmware in my vehicle SDS 200 until they resolve this.

It sounds like the SDS200 is now trying to process the hangtime PDU. If you do not need the updated TIII settings I would suggest a roll back to the earlier version. Uniden should be able to fix the issue in a future release especially since they have correctly functioning code from previous releases to use as a reference.

If I only knew how to do that, I would!

Not for nothing, but I observed the following, in case Joe Bearcat or ScannerMaster is watching:

I can turn recordings on and when I transfer the recordings to my computer and listen from there, no clicking during playing of the recorded audio.

The clicking "volume" remains constant/the same regardless of the scanner volume being high or low.