SDS100/SDS200: Considering an SDS100, have simulcast in the area

[bbtkd]

Greetings - I've been into scanners (and radio in general) for over 50 years, and have owned most Bearcat and Uniden models, having bought, fixed, and resold them on Ebay. I currently have a BCD396XT, a BCD996XT, a BCD436HP, and even a broken 996T. I use the 996XT for a Broadcastify feed that I've run for many years. The statewide public service system is VHF simulcast, including four sites within range. I've noted some funky signals over the years, but for some reason only recently realized it's a simulcast issue, presumably got worse with increased traffic. I don't bother with analog since there isn't much around here anymore.

Now I'm wondering if I should get an SDS100 (and/or an SDS200), probably would keep the current radios too. The only reason I hesitate is the failure reports I've seen on this site and on Amazon, most notably catastrophic power and bricking issues. I've also seen many positive and glowing reviews. Any idea what percentage of owners have had bricking and other catastrophic failures? Are they the vast minority? Or are many of the good reviews from those who have only had them a short time? I presume that as with other products, people with no complaints tend not to review. Would appreciate input from others having had to make the same decision for the SDS100. Thanks!

 

[buddrousa]

catastrophic power not sure what this is I have had the SDS100 Cold Solder Joint problem No Problems with SDS200 POWER

 

[bbtkd]

catastrophic power not sure what this is I have had the SDS100 Cold Solder Joint problem No Problems with SDS200 POWER

By catastrophic power failure, I mean that it won't turn on, or won't charge, and ends up having to be sent in for repair. I expect the minor complaints, but reading reviews there have been quite a number of radios refusing to turn on. Seems like more than the usual you'd expect for a scanner.

 

[werinshades]

....but reading reviews there have been quite a number of radios refusing to turn on.

Maybe they should hold the power button down... . I don't see those type of posts either, but have seen people with charging cable issues when they use an off-market/non-Uniden type.

If you need it, buy it...

 

[fantasma25]

But be ready for a very low scan speed, specially if you are used to the 436hp! The SDS100 is S...L...O...W....

 

[werinshades]

But be ready for a very low scan speed, specially if you are used to the 436hp! The SDS100 is S...L...O...W....

Are you scanning sites that aren't within range? Squelch too low and getting hung up on some interference on analog systems? I don't believe mine is any slower than previous Uniden handhelds.

 

[fantasma25]

Are you scanning sites that aren't within range? Squelch too low and getting hung up on some interference on analog systems? I don't believe mine is any slower than previous Uniden handhelds.

Squelch is on 2. I have both the 436hp and sds100 and scan speed is absolutely faster on the 436hp. Some people adjust filters on the sds100 but it still remains slower than the 436hp.

 

[werinshades]

Squelch is on 2. I have both the 436hp and sds100 and scan speed is absolutely faster on the 436hp. Some people adjust filters on the sds100 but it still remains slower than the 436hp.

The SDS100 and 200 do much better on trunking and especially simulcast systems, I'd trade that minor inconvenience to actually hear something than skipping over it as the 436 handles simulcast. But...if that's your major complaint with it, Uniden has scored a victory!

 

[KK4JUG]

I've said it many times: The SDS100/200 will allow you to hear just about everything you're entitled to listen to.

 

[spikestabber]

My only issue with the slowness is that it really hasn't changed since I bought my SDS100 a few years ago, firmware updates have yet to really improve the scan speed and surely there are software optimizations to be made to the system, I understand the entire Upman saga so most things are on the backburner.

 

[MStep]

My only issue with the slowness is that it really hasn't changed since I bought my SDS100 a few years ago, firmware updates have yet to really improve the scan speed and surely there are software optimizations to be made to the system, I understand the entire Upman saga so most things are on the backburner.

Very true. Because of the complexity of signals the SDS series is "listening" for, the days of scanner speed demons are over. I seem to recall owning Radio Shack scanners that were zipping through channels at incredible speeds compared to my SDS radios. But you gotta give up to get, so to speak. These were pre-trunking, pre-digital radios.

 

[bbtkd]

Very true. Because of the complexity of signals the SDS series is "listening" for, the days of scanner speed demons are over. I seem to recall owning Radio Shack scanners that were zipping through channels at incredible speeds compared to my SDS radios. But you gotta give up to get, so to speak. These were pre-trunking, pre-digital radios.

Speed comes down to code efficiency and processor power. I expect if they came out with a follow-on radio with current-day parts (if they can get them), it would have a much faster and cooler-running processor. I doubt they will ever get scan speed anywhere close to some of the fast analog scanners, but could be improved. Not sure sales will support a replacement though, given the number of systems encrypting. The SDS100/200 could be the pinnacle of scanning.

 

[Ubbe]

Speed comes down to code efficiency and processor power.

For analog it is depending of how fast the squelch system can detect a RF carrier after the oscillator have tuned to the frequency and starts to produce a stable signal. For digital it also has to wait on a channel to be able to sample enough data to decode and analyze if it is the correct data and if a conversation are taking place, and the analog scan speed have then almost no impact. For trunked digital systems it's usually a 1,5 sec wait time until the proper data frames have been captured from a site.

To speed up the scan of modern digital systems it would need a second receiver in the scanner that can scan systems while the first receiver are still monitoring a call. No such scanner are available at this moment so the simplest solution are to have several scanners doing the monitoring.

/Ubbe

 

[MStep]

Speed comes down to code efficiency and processor power. I expect if they came out with a follow-on radio with current-day parts (if they can get them), it would have a much faster and cooler-running processor. I doubt they will ever get scan speed anywhere close to some of the fast analog scanners, but could be improved. Not sure sales will support a replacement though, given the number of systems encrypting. The SDS100/200 could be the pinnacle of scanning.

What you certainly say is true regarding the SDS100/200 being at the pinnacle of scanning. Perhaps not so evident to SDS users because of the nature of their programming schemes--- you just download systems from RR and many do not use the SDS radios to "tune around" and experience what is actually going on in the spectrum.

I am fortunate enough to have an AOR DV1, and that is a radio more designed for "exploration" and tuning around the bands. The number of encrypted traffic has gone up exponentially over the past several years. What at one time was just DMR is now encrypted DMR; ditto for NXDN and other modes as well.

That, combined with the loss of Uniden's eminent scanner engineer and proponent due to his early demise, Uniden might have to explore other options to make their future scanners more "band explorer" friendly--- something along the lines of an SDS200, but with a large tuning dial, bandscope, more inclusive digital decoding--- kinda like putting the best parts of the AOR DV1 and the Icom8600 into the next generation of Uniden radios.

 

[MStep]

For analog it is depending of how fast the squelch system can detect a RF carrier after the oscillator have tuned to the frequency and starts to produce a stable signal. For digital it also has to wait on a channel to be able to sample enough data to decode and analyze if it is the correct data and if a conversation are taking place, and the analog scan speed have then almost no impact. For trunked digital systems it's usually a 1,5 sec wait time until the proper data frames have been captured from a site.

To speed up the scan of modern digital systems it would need a second receiver in the scanner that can scan systems while the first receiver are still monitoring a call. No such scanner are available at this moment so the simplest solution are to have several scanners doing the monitoring.

/Ubbe

As Ubbe points out, most of us have second (and third and fourth radios) running in conjunction with our SDS scanners. More so for base as opposed to mobile operations. For example, the "priority" function of the SDS works fairly well, but what is MOST dependable is having a second radio monitoring your one priority channel. Or another unit dedicated to searching.

Perhaps Uniden should also explore stuff like "dual receive" capability--- which is, in effect, putting two receivers into one unit, each configuarable with their own unique functions. Many amateur radio transceivers already offer this feature.

 

[Ubbe]

Let's see what Uniden's SDS500, or whatever it will be called, will give us. JoeBearcat hinted that it isn't a scanner but some sort of additional device and to be released in the near future. The unused USB port in SDS scanners have access to something like a 2Mhz IF spectrum that might make it possible to help solve the slow scanning of trunked systems, or to analyze unknown signals more in detail.

It would be terrific if it was an interface box that connected to a PC that run several analog and digital decoding programs, each tuned to it's own channel in that 2Mhz spectrum.

/Ubbe

 

[buddrousa]

Ubbe if this is true I will need a bigger PC.
16 Copies of PROSCAN and recording 16 scanners uses just about all I have in the rack right now.

 

[radio3353]

... The SDS100/200 could be the pinnacle of scanning.

Given my experience, that is depressing. One would hope that Uniden could fix the issues that showed up (and continue to haunt) with the 100/200 'pinnacle' series. Do you know what the word 'pinnacle' means? From Merriam-Webster: "the highest point of development or achievement". Really? No more room to improve?

 

[bbtkd]

Given my experience, that is depressing. One would hope that Uniden could fix the issues that showed up (and continue to haunt) with the 100/200 'pinnacle' series. Do you know what the word 'pinnacle' means? From Merriam-Webster: "the highest point of development or achievement". Really? No more room to improve?

There is only so much they can do in software, particularly if there are hardware limitations. As some have mentioned, multiple receivers would be handy, and I have suspicions that with the heat they reportedly produce that CPU is a limitation. I have no doubt that they could come out with better models, but the SDS100/200 may be the pinnacle if coming out with further digital scanners would have more limited sales due to increasing numbers of systems encrypting. If they can't recoup development costs and make a profit, it won't happen. Also hurts their chances by not having Paul to lead development.

 

[KK4JUG]

Given my experience, that is depressing. One would hope that Uniden could fix the issues that showed up (and continue to haunt) with the 100/200 'pinnacle' series. Do you know what the word 'pinnacle' means? From Merriam-Webster: "the highest point of development or achievement". Really? No more room to improve?

Yeah, they're at the pinnacle. Can you tell me what scanners pick up as much? I said it earlier, "The SDS100/200 will allow you to hear just about everything you're entitled to listen to." That's not to say they can't be improved. There is still some tweaking left to be done. I can compare all this it to the Model T. It was the pinnacle of auto manufacturing in its day. As technology changed, so did the car industry. I remember tunable police receivers. Then crystals came out. That was the best thing since pay toilets. Well, it's improved to the point that you almost can't buy crystals anymore.

You're right. the SDS scanners are not perfect but they're "perfecter" than the ones they replaced. When the technology changes, so will the scanners, sending the pinnacle a little higher.