SDS100/SDS200: Diamond SRH77CA antenna for SDS100

[jscooke]

Has anyone tried to use a Diamond SRH77CA with a the Uniden SDS100 Handheld scanner.

 

[jtwalker]

This is the sma version of the antenna right? I use the bnc version on my SDS100 with an adapter.

 

[mharris]

The SMA version does not connect to the center pin. It will not work.

 

[nessnet]

The SMA version does not connect to the center pin. It will not work.

You can easily make it work.
I just Dremelled a shoulder on mine and it works great.
(I used Alumablack and a bit of shrink tubing for cosmetics)

Take your time. Take a bit off, check it and keep taking a bit off until it fits.

 

[mharris]

You can easily make it work.
I just Dremelled a shoulder on mine and it works great.
(I used Alumablack and a bit of shrink tubing for cosmetics)

Take your time. Take a bit off, check it and keep taking a bit off until it fits.

This is great. Thank you!

 

[drdispatch]

I've used the BNC version (RH77CA) with an adapter as jt mentioned for about a month now, and I like it. It's made a noticeable difference, particularly when mobile. Getting a lot less static. (I do have to send my unit in for the csj, though.)
I also got the SMA version for my 436, which does double duty right now on my iCom ID-52A.

 

[n1chu]

I’ve purchased just about every aftermarket antenna for my portable scanners. The claims about gain are subjective as gain can be measured in a couple of ways but I use the claims to compare anyway. My results are the Diamond and the other longer range gain promising antennas play about the same. The Diamond SMA won’t fit the SDS100 without modification but I didn’t bother modifying the antenna. Take that Dremel tool to the offending ridge on the radio’s case. I’ve collected both scanner antennas and ham radio antennas over the years and I can fit any one of them with the right adapter if needed without that damn ridge blocking me. Any advantage that ridge provides is highly outweighed by my want to change at will, my antennas, to the scanner.

If you do decide to remove the ridge using a Dremel tool, take care to make your cuts very short (length of time) to prevent heat from building up and melting the plastic. Make many short cool cuts. The results can be dressed up with a rasp file and then a fingernail file. It’s faster than using just a file.

 

[nessnet]

I’ve purchased just about every aftermarket antenna for my portable scanners. The claims about gain are subjective as gain can be measured in a couple of ways but I use the claims to compare anyway. My results are the Diamond and the other longer range gain promising antennas play about the same. The Diamond SMA won’t fit the SDS100 without modification but I didn’t bother modifying the antenna. Take that Dremel tool to the offending ridge on the radio’s case. I’ve collected both scanner antennas and ham radio antennas over the years and I can fit any one of them with the right adapter if needed without that damn ridge blocking me. Any advantage that ridge provides is highly outweighed by my want to change at will, my antennas, to the scanner.

If you do decide to remove the ridge using a Dremel tool, take care to make your cuts very short (length of time) to prevent heat from building up and melting the plastic. Make many short cool cuts. The results can be dressed up with a rasp file and then a fingernail file. It’s faster than using just a file.

Antennas are one hell of alot cheaper than these radios.
I certainly would NOT do this to my radios......

 

[n1chu]

It’s just a suggestion. And it took some time before I finally decided to correct Uniden’s “rush to market” mistake, using a case they already had on the shelf that didn’t take into consideration the larger battery modification necessary to power a Software Defined Radio (requires more power). But I’m not going to rehash this particular shortcoming. Overall, I like the radio… just made one slight modification of my own! (Even though the BNC Remtronix antenna works perfectly without the mod when using the supplied SMA to BNC adapter).