Future SDS Firmware to include waterfall option .

[belvdr]

At the time of release, that functionality was not in the firmware. There were several releases of updates to add each of them, especially DMR.

Are you sure about that for the SDS series? I recall buying an SDS100 when it was released, and it only required a key. Further, I don't see mention of these being added to the SDS firmware in the release notes.

https://info.uniden.com/twiki/bin/view/UnidenMan4/SDS100FirmwareUpdates#1_02_03_Release_Notes_06_01_2018

 

[N9JIG]

When the SDS series was introduced DMR and ProVoice was already available, it had already been in other scanners (996/325/436/536) as well. NXDN may have been added later, but I am not 100% sure, if not it was available via firmware update (and then a product key purchase) later.

The ability to be upgraded with a key for these items and others is introduced with firmware as that adds the proper menu items and internal capabilities. Sometimes this also takes care of other issues at the same time.

When the Waterfall feature is released to the public it will require a firmware update, regardless of the ability already being in the radio. Anything that requires menu item changes is done via firmware updates.

 

[dave3825]

Yes, but originally they WERE released as firmware updates for the 436/536 scanners.

At the time of release, that functionality was not in the firmware. There were several releases of updates to add each of them, especially DMR.

Are you sure about that for the SDS series? I recall buying an SDS100 when it was released, and it only required a key. Further, I don't see mention of these being added to the SDS firmware in the release notes.

@garys is correct.

Those hit the x36 series as firmware updates (2016) because hardware needed for those modes was already in the scanners but the software portion was not ready. They never came like that on the SDS because everything was already in place and the sds came ot in 2019 fully ready with the software needed to accept dmr,nxdn and provoice keys..

 

[werinshades]

When the Waterfall feature is released to the public it will require a firmware update....

...and the purchase of a product key I read somewhere

 

[4436time]

Just curious, do either of you have another 200 or know someone local with a 200 to do a comparison test on those systems? I just saw another post about another 200 needing to be on zero to pick up trunked and never saw anyone else from that area having to do the same so it seems to affect a very small number of people tho I have not done an extensive search on the matter.

If it were me having the issue, I would grab another 200 off amazon with free returns and see how that one did. Maybe the squelch knob is not working as intended and is faulty. I mean my 200 needed a new volume encoder in its first year as turning it would not increase or decrease volume level on every click.

From all the way counter clockwise, to clockwise, it takes 8 clicks (at least on mine) for it to go from displaying 0 to 1

As mentioned in my last post, yes, both SDS's do the same thing.

 

[dave3825]

As mentioned in my last post, yes, both SDS's do the same thing.

Were they bought at the same time? Serial numbers and or production dates close or the same?

 

[4436time]

Approx. purchase dates and SN's:

2/2019 - SN 384Z88001846
12/2020 - SN 384Z08003079

 

[Ubbe]

Exactly. The SDS almost acts like it's out of range, but it isn't, and it happens on both units here. Uniden should be aware of it since it has been reported before. Time will tell.

JoeBearcat mentioned in the below thread that decode improvements are on the way. But SDS scanners also have hardware related RF issues that cannot be fixed.

Improved digital decode

SDS RF issues

/Ubbe

 

[4436time]

I must have missed those, thanks Ubbe. Hopefully Uniden will release something soon.

 

[garys]

That was in July and we still haven't seen anything.

JoeBearcat mentioned in the below thread that decode improvements are on the way. But SDS scanners also have hardware related RF issues that cannot be fixed.

Improved digital decode

SDS RF issues

/Ubbe

 

[bearcatrp]

That was in July and we still haven't seen anything.

Maybe next Christmas.

 

[4436time]

Here's a quick video of the issue. If you're prompted to logon, there should be a continue button allowing you to proceed.

As you can see, the 200's fail to lock on with squelch set at 2 while the 536, 996T and HP1 work fine.

Dropbox

www.dropbox.com

 

[werinshades]

Here's a quick video of the issue. If you're prompted to logon, there should be a continue button allowing you to proceed.

As you can see, the 200's fail to lock on with squelch set at 2 while the 536, 996T and HP1 work fine.

Dropbox

www.dropbox.com

You have IFX on some of the site frequencies? Why is that?

 

[4436time]

Yeah, did it some time ago on all site frequencies. Made no difference and I just haven't reverted back because it wasn't any worse. When you're out of ideas anything goes...

 

[werinshades]

Yeah, did it some time ago on all site frequencies. Made no difference and I just haven't reverted back because it wasn't any worse. When you're out of ideas anything goes...

I find IFX to not be very effective and looking at the brief video, it appears to be causing havoc with the control channel decoding. Turn off IFX, turn off all filters and run the scanner without the computer. Do you have the site set to Global Filter and the global setting set to normal or is the site set to Normal filter?

 

[CorwinScansNM]

From all the way counter clockwise, to clockwise, it takes 8 clicks (at least on mine) for it to go from displaying 0 to 1

Dave3825,

I just checked my Squelch Knob today from what you explained here & mine does in fact pass with starting all the way below 0 counterclockwise to then turning it clockwise slowly until it reaches just to 1. Mine was also 8 clicks to get back to Squelch 1.

 

[CorwinScansNM]

Here's a quick video of the issue. If you're prompted to logon, there should be a continue button allowing you to proceed.

As you can see, the 200's fail to lock on with squelch set at 2 while the 536, 996T and HP1 work fine.

Dropbox

www.dropbox.com

Yes, me too & exactly what my SDS200 does as well when it is set on a Squelch of 2 or higher. Mine is doing exactly that even with a good External Antenna, LMR400 Coax Cable & a 30-DB Gain RF Signal Amplifier hooked up to my Receiving Antenna & then going into my Uniden SDS200.

 

[werinshades]

Yes, me too & exactly what my SDS200 does as well when it is set on a Squelch of 2 or higher. Mine is doing exactly that even with a good External Antenna, LMR400 Coax Cable & a 30-DB Gain RF Signal Amplifier hooked up to my Receiving Antenna & then going into my Uniden SDS200.

You have too much receive coming in , especially on 700Mhz. control channels. Take off the amplifier, and try what I previously suggested:

It appears your statewide system uses 700Mhz. frequencies. I just responded to someone else on this very same subject and suggested using the Wide Invert filter which he reported back it has reduced his decode error and he's now able to monitor it.. For a few of us here, we use this setting and it has improved reception.

If you still have some issues after that, try the attenuator on the site in addition to Wide Invert. My statewide system sites that I monitor also use 700mhz. frequencies and it's a night and day difference with both used.

Did you also use IFX? Do you have any filters being used...site/global etc.? Did you self-program or download from the database?

 

[CorwinScansNM]

You have too much receive coming in , especially on 700Mhz. control channels. Take off the amplifier, and try what I previously suggested:


Did you also use IFX? Do you have any filters being used...site/global etc.? Did you self-program or download from the database?

No too much receiving at all. If I did not have the RF Signal Amplifier hooked up, my RSSI Levels are & would literally be nothing! they would then be above 100 RSSI with just 1 to 2 Bars of Signal Strength no matter what Internal Scanner Filter I select or use because I have already been through that & tried without using the RF Signal Amplifier with & without Internal Scanner Filters. That is exactly why I have chosen to & currently use the 30-DB Gain RF Signal Amplifier for improved RF Signal Receiving.

As per the SDS200 Internal Scanner Filters on my Scanner, I have them turned off because they cause much poor RSSI & D-Error Receiving problems than they are worth with my 30-DB Gain RF Signal Amplifier in use. With no Internal Scanner Filters & my RF Signal Amplifier hooked up, gives me & my SDS200 a varying 50 RSSI up to 84 RSSI & 5 Bars of Signal Strength on my 700Mhz P25 Trunked Radio System that I Monitor but still does not help with or fix the Squelch 2 and above SDS200 Receiving Issue on programmed P25 Trunked Systems.

I personally, do not use or have never even had or found out how to use IFX on a P25 Trunked Radio System on my SDS200. So, that is a no for me on that...

I downloaded my Statewide P25 Radio System directly from the Sentinel Database.

 

[werinshades]

No too much receiving at all. If I did not have the RF Signal Amplifier hooked up, my RSSI Levels are & would literally nothing & would then be above 100 RSSI with just 1 to 2 Bars of Signal Strength no matter what Internal Scanner Filter & select or use. That is exactly why I have chosen to & currently use the 30-DB Gain RF Signal Amplifier for improved RF Signal Receiving. As per the SDS200 Internal Scanner Filters on my Scanner, I have them turned off because they cause much poor RSSI & D-Error Receiving problems than they are worth with my 30-DB Gain RF Signal Amplifier in use. No Internal Scanner Filters & my RF Signal Amplifier hooked up, gives me & my SDS200 a varying 50 RSSI up to 84 RSSI & 5 Bars of Signal Strength on my 700Mhz P25 Trunked Radio System that I Monitor but still does not help with or fix the Squelch 2 and above SDS200 Receiving Issue on programmed P25 Trunked Systems.

I personally, do not use or have never even had or found out how to use IFX on a P25 Trunked Radio System on my SDS200. So, that is a no for me on that...

Which site are you having issues with? What is a general location of where you're at in NM? I'll take a look at your state system a little closer tomorrow because that shouldn't be happening and no amplifier should be necessary if you're using the closest site only and you're within range, and no obstructions. Ever try using the back of the set antenna without all the amplifier? I would troubleshoot it down to the bare basics, and work from there. That's not normal behavior for these scanners.