SDS100/SDS200: Digital Trunking Distortion after Firmware Upgrade

[scanman1958]

I have had a SDS100 since 2018. I purchased the DMR & NXDN upgrades at the time of purchase. I never got around to upgrading any of the firmware updates over the years. About six months ago I decided to get all of the upgrades at once. I have always been timid around computers as I am very old school. 99% of the time I use the keypad for operating all of my scanners.

As luck would have it, I was successful in downloading the new firmware to my SDS100. No smoke. No fire. Here is what shows on the screen.

Main :version 1.23.05
Sub :version 1.03.05

Everything seems to work OK, as far as I know. However, I am having an issue with intermittent distortion on digital trunking systems. It doesn't sound quite like R2-D2 but if I could describe it...it would be if you saw pixilation on a TV screen and compare that to the sound that I hear. I had what I would say was perfect reception/sound before the update.

Would anyone have an idea as to what might be going on? Is there a filter or setting I now have to use with the newer firmware's?

Thanks to all in advance.

 

[nessnet]

The new firmware shouldn't have changed your filter settings.
It is possible it changed your receiver's sensitivity or decoding.
You'd have to give much more information (what system are you trying to monitor - and what antenna for instance) in order to get help here.

As to filters: they are entirely location / RFI dependent.
If you had good reception at the exact location before, it is highly doubtful filters would change anything.

Remember: in the analog days, it was static when a signal was weak.
Garbled DIGITAL transmissions are an indication of dropped packets, caused by low signal level or some kind of interference.

Edit your display to show RSSI and D-Error, which will give you (and us) more information on what is going on.

 

[n3617400]

You do not have the latest versions of the cpu and subcpu firmware installed.

 

[eaf1956]

• 1.03.06 Sub (7/11/2024)
• 1.23.07 Main (03/22/2024)

Current SDS 100 firmware

 

[scanman1958]

I short, I am scanning the Missouri MOSWIN system an the St. Louis County and Jefferson County SLATER systems. I am using a 800MHz specific antenna interchangeable with the stock antenna. Non of that has changed.

Even if I don't have the latest update, my issue began after I did the the updates. I have made no other changes to the scanner.

 

[scanman1958]

Update.

If I am correct, from memory, the rssi numbers should be as close to 0 as possible. Before my firmware update the numbers were in the single digits to around the 20's or so. Now the numbers are regularly in the 70's to the upper 90's. When the distortion happens the numbers jump into the 1-teens to 130.

I added the D-err to the screen and most of the time it's near 0 to about 6 or 7. When the distortion happens it jumps into the 30's, 40's and higher. I have seen it once over 100.

Not sure what is going on.

Again, thanks for any help.

 

[eaf1956]

I short, I am scanning the Missouri MOSWIN system an the St. Louis County and Jefferson County SLATER systems. I am using a 800MHz specific antenna interchangeable with the stock antenna. Non of that has changed.

Even if I don't have the latest update, my issue began after I did the the updates. I have made no other changes to the scanner.

When some people did the update before the latest one, some had issues and had to revert to older firmware. Then they came out with what is currently the latest firmware. You probably have the version that caused issues. SO either revert to what you had or get the latest firmware.

 

[scanman1958]

The last four updates had nothing to do with P25 digital distortion fixes so I am not sure how that 'might' fix my problem.

 

[eaf1956]

The last four updates had nothing to do with P25 digital distortion fixes so I am not sure how that 'might' fix my problem.

Even if I don't have the latest update, my issue began after I did the the updates. I have made no other changes to the scanner.

If they had "nothing to do with P 25 digital distortion" then why say it happened after updates?

Some people had problems with
Main :version 1.23.05
Sub :version 1.03.05

That was why 1.03.06 sub and 1.23.07 Main came out so soon.

 

[scanman1958]

Because in my original post I mentioned that I did all of the updates at the same time because I had never done an update for the five years I had had the scanner.

Jokingly....I am thinking it was a shock to the scanners system.

I'm still working on a plan. Thanks.

 

[eaf1956]

There are times when updating something in software/firmware that even though an area is not touched doing something unrelated causes issues with other areas.

 

[a727469]

So the question is, did you update to the current firmware? I missed if you said you are 100% updated. I did have the same problem mentioned with the older firmware but it cleared after updated to current. rssi numbers like 70-90 are excellent..I have never heard of an rssi number in the single digits. I have one site with rssi100+ and noise 50+ at times and still no distortion or break up. Also, many other factors could affect both rssi and noise. My numbers vary quite widely based on the day, weather etc and do bounce around, but maybe not as much as yours. Also, I am sure you checked antenna connection? If none if the above others will have to advise. Good luck!

• 1.03.06 Sub (7/11/2024)
• 1.23.07 Main (03/22/2024)

 

[scanman1958]

I am not up to date yet. I will do it soon. The antenna is good.

Maybe there is something in the newest update that isn't mentioned that could fix the problem. Thanks.