Future SDS Firmware to include waterfall option .

[JoeBearcat]

Is this going to be a paid upgrade?
such as the DMR or NXDN upgrades?

That is still under consideration.

If it is paid I expect the cost will be much lower than the digital upgrades.

I was asked my opinion and my suggestion was that it be free, but I did add the caveat that I did not know the development costs, so my opinion was not based on complete data. I do have reasons why but I don't want to distract from the core of this thread and I know if I gave my reasons there would be a ton of OT posts.

Yes, the display on the 100/200 will be used - much like that demo but much better.

I don't think it's appropriate to share pics at this time as much as I would like to do that. Something could change and there will always be someone who does not like what was changed.

 

[a417]

@JoeBearcat, any chance of exposing the display field customization to the end user? Great that we can change the colors from the palette, but if you could adjust which fields display what data , I think that would be fun. I know a pipe dream would be to be able to resize and reformat the fields in size & shape, but that might be a bit adventurous.

 

[JoeBearcat]

@JoeBearcat, any chance of exposing the display field customization to the end user? Great that we can change the colors from the palette, but if you could adjust which fields display what data , I think that would be fun. I know a pipe dream would be to be able to resize and reformat the fields in size & shape, but that might be a bit adventurous.

Features/details are still being developed.

I will try to keep an eye on what is displayed vs what might want to be added. Due to the waterfall there isn't much room for other things.

No ETA on release at this time.

 

[werinshades]

Features/details are still being developed.

I will try to keep an eye on what is displayed vs what might want to be added. Due to the waterfall there isn't much room for other things.

No ETA on release at this time.

Wait, are you ok, it's Friday and you're here

While we're on new firmware subject, how's the current beta release coming along? P25 Phase 2 decoding any better? Resolve the issue with talkgroups not being received that you mentioned before. I'm ready to run any new beta releases through some systems here whenever you want to put them out for us to sample. I know how to load them in without breaking my scanner. I'm not chasing waterfalls, but improved P25 Phase 2 digital decoding. Come on there Joe, it's time to bring back Firmware Fridays!

 

[KevinC]

Wait, are you ok, it's Thursday and you're here

While we're on new firmware subject, how's the current beta release coming along? P25 Phase 2 decoding any better? Resolve the issue with talkgroups not being received that you mentioned before. I'm ready to run any new beta releases through some systems here whenever you want to put them out for us to sample. I know how to load them in without breaking my scanner. I'm not chasing waterfalls, but improved P25 Phase 2 digital decoding. Come on there Joe, it's time to bring back Firmware Fridays!

I thought it was Friday?

 

[werinshades]

I thought it was Friday?

It is now...LOL!

 

[garys]

Phase 2 works for me the limited times I've used it, but that's just me. I'd like to see TIII sorted out as Con+ is being phased out and replaced. For Motorola it's CapMax, but there are other TIII systems too.

I'd also like a brighter display for the SDS200, but I expect that's a hardware, not firmware limitation.

 

[werinshades]

Phase 2 works for me the limited times I've used it, but that's just me.

Yes it is, but it's been a known issue that is more evident on busier systems that use Phase 2 talkgroups. It's not a constant issue unless two talkgroups are using the same frequency but different slots then it behaves like digital systems when two radios key up at the same time. It's been mentioned about a timing issue as you can also see radio ID's that are assigned to the system, but not the same department. I'll see a fire talkgroup pop up on a police talkgroup that happen to be using the same frequency but a different slot.

 

[garys]

I've seen that with MotoTRBO systems, especially Con+. During the public Beta phase of the DMR release it was talked about often and each revision improved it.

I never saw your explanation before, but it makes sense. What I'd see is a the display showing a TG for one user, but the audio clearly not being that user.

I haven't seen it with P25 Phase 2 systems, but there's only one that I currently listen to with any frequency. I've never noticed it when I've traveled through CT or RI, but then again it's probably because all public safety radio traffic is similar in nature. That's unlike the commercial trunks where you can have an oil company, ambulance service, school bus, tow company, or landscaping company all talking all the time.

So, that's the same dynamic as with your Phase 2 issue, but just easier to identify.

Yes it is, but it's been a known issue that is more evident on busier systems that use Phase 2 talkgroups. It's not a constant issue unless two talkgroups are using the same frequency but different slots then it behaves like digital systems when two radios key up at the same time. It's been mentioned about a timing issue as you can also see radio ID's that are assigned to the system, but not the same department. I'll see a fire talkgroup pop up on a police talkgroup that happen to be using the same frequency but a different slot.

 

[MStep]

There has been nothing to indicate that from Uniden.... the only mention of that was pure speculation by the poster in post #50.

No longer pure speculation---- read Joe Bearcat's post # 61. Any cost involved being passed along to the consumer is "still under consideration".

 

[werinshades]

I've seen that with MotoTRBO systems, especially Con+. During the public Beta phase of the DMR release it was talked about often and each revision improved it.

I never saw your explanation before, but it makes sense. What I'd see is a the display showing a TG for one user, but the audio clearly not being that user.

I haven't seen it with P25 Phase 2 systems, but there's only one that I currently listen to with any frequency. I've never noticed it when I've traveled through CT or RI, but then again it's probably because all public safety radio traffic is similar in nature. That's unlike the commercial trunks where you can have an oil company, ambulance service, school bus, tow company, or landscaping company all talking all the time.

So, that's the same dynamic as with your Phase 2 issue, but just easier to identify.

Yes, you're correct and forgot about that too. Well, hopefully all the 2 slot decoding issues will be resolved in the next firmware

 

[mancow]

It would be neat if the watefall could display parsed data such as NAC, SITE, SLOT, COLOR CODE, TG, etc... on the display if wanted or out the serial port somehow while tuning around to signal spikes.

 

[Ubbe]

I actually made that exact point when I saw the first concept images of the SDS200 (or maybe it was the 536 development when I made that comment). I made the same point - that most people are right handed and most vehicle installs are on the right of the operator. Hence, the hand blocks the display.

You can't, or are sometimes not allowed, to do much handling of a scanner while driving. At most the tuning knob to continue scan or the volume knob at the other end of the scanner, but none needs you to look at the display. The worst position have BCT15 and BCD996 when both the tuning knob and the keypad are on the same side and you have to cram two hands in a very small space making it hard to edit anything directly on the scanner.

/Ubbe

 

[gary123]

For Joe.

Thank you for the updates and keeping everyone in the general loop.

We know that some of these options and settings can be critical and radically effect how an option or general function performs. Your firmware guys should have no problems moving some if not all these advanced parameter settings to a new sub menu in the menu tree structure. IE an Expert mode. The advantage would be in the normal (default) mode everything functions as it does now. If the user wishes to use items such as waterfall or select things like enhanced system data display, ENC mute disable, expanded freq range (in case Uniden feels that there might be a performance drop off) etc. They can select the Expert mode with the full understanding that these features may not be 'stable'.

One thing that may be of use to Uniden would be a option (expert Mode) to create a system log file to the SD card. This file if requested can be emailed to Uniden for system analysis by Uniden. These files could be used to identify actual control data from a system and help identify why a feature is not performing as expected.

 

[oscarg1971]

Yep, its gonna be great for old dudes like me not knowing what the hell I'm looking at!!!

 

[Ensnared]

I still don't know WTF a waterfall function means. For a simple-minded man, please explain.

 

[sonm10]

I still don't know WTF a waterfall function means. For a simple-minded man, please explain.

Think SDR# for Uniden, only instead of an Airspy, it's a scanner

 

[W8WCA]

I still don't know WTF a waterfall function means. For a simple-minded man, please explain.

A waterfall display 'shows' what signals are in a frequency range

 

[ProScan]

I still don't know WTF a waterfall function means. For a simple-minded man, please explain.

Just google search radio waterfall and click on images. You'll get your question answered in 5 seconds.

 

[Ensnared]

Just google search radio waterfall and click on images. You'll get your question answered in 5 seconds.

No thanks. I already went to Google & looked before posting. Thanks for your reactions.