G5 Pre-Purchase Questions

[CTWaters]

Good morning all, and Happy Friday!

I currently have an SDS100 & SDS200, and was hanging out with a gentleman yesterday who has the G5 and was flabbergasted at the differences in receive.

He was getting stuff I *should* be getting on my SDS's, but not once have they ever picked up the Simulcast's that they should.

After doing some research, and reading the WiKi created here, it looks like you can't have VHF, UHF, and 700/800 all programmed at the same time, correct?

Currently, I utilize all those bands in the SDS. I have AZ DPS Analog (46x.xxx - Arizona Department of Public Safety (Arizona) Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference) along with their Simulcast counterparts (Arizona Wireless Integrated Network System (AZ WINS) Trunking System, AZ Statewide, Multi-State), because sometimes the SDS100 will pick up stuff on Simulcast and not 46x.xxx, and vice versa. I also have Phoenix Fire VHF (Maricopa County, Arizona (AZ) Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference) since those are their Fire Channels (responses requiring SCBA's), but also have their P25P2 because that is where all their "non-hazardous" calls are dispatched. I also utilize Rural/Metro Fire VHF (Maricopa County, Arizona (AZ) Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference).

With how well this G5 works compared to the SDS's, and the info in RR I posted here, which version would y'all suggest?

I am in the North Phoenix area (33.738189,-112.110433), and appreciate all the info.

--- Chuck!
WXRX361

 

[w2lie]

After doing some research, and reading the WiKi created here, it looks like you can't have VHF, UHF, and 700/800 all programmed at the same time, correct?

Incorrect

The G5 only supports a combination of bands, based on the G5 model you purchase

G5 VHF supports 136-174, 700/800
G5 "B" support 380-420?, 700/800
G5 "C" supports 400-450, 700/800
G5 "D" supports 450-512, 700/800

No Unication product supports all bands in a single unit, (VHF/UHF/700/800)

 

[N6ML]

It's not a matter of programming or "at the same time"; the G5 has only two physical radios - one for 700/800MHz, and the other a band of your voice (VHF or one of the UHF segments).

A G5 or G4 will outperform your SDS100 on 770MHz (AZ WINS), but it's a rather different story on VHF, as the internal antenna is a fairly big compromise. If you can afford it, I'd recommend getting a G4 to dedicate to monitoring AZ WINS, and using something else (ideally a traditional scanner, as the SDS100 really isn't a great radio on any band) for the other stuff.

 

[CTWaters]

Incorrect

The G5 only supports a combination of bands, based on the G5 model you purchase

G5 VHF supports 136-174, 700/800
G5 "B" support 380-420?, 700/800
G5 "C" supports 400-450, 700/800
G5 "D" supports 450-512, 700/800

No Unication product supports all bands in a single unit, (VHF/UHF/700/800)

That's what I meant by " it looks like you can't have VHF, UHF, and 700/800 all programmed at the same time, correct?" LOL

OK, so I guess then, for what I am looking to monitor, I would need the G5 VHF, since Rural Metro, and Fire A Deck, and other's are there, and the 46x.xxxx Analog is Simulcast on P25P2, even though there's a note in RR that it's not always simulcast.

 

[CTWaters]

It's not a matter of programming or "at the same time"; the G5 has only two physical radios - one for 700/800MHz, and the other a band of your voice (VHF or one of the UHF segments).

A G5 or G4 will outperform your SDS100 on 770MHz (AZ WINS), but it's a rather different story on VHF, as the internal antenna is a fairly big compromise. If you can afford it, I'd recommend getting a G4 to dedicate to monitoring AZ WINS, and using something else (ideally a traditional scanner, as the SDS100 really isn't a great radio on any band) for the other stuff.

Thanks for that. It is any of the P25/PII that I am not getting. The AZ WINS comes in 99.9% no problem off Shaw Butte, but for RWC, the only Simulcasts I get are A & B where I should be getting at least G, and H no problem as well (there are repeaters within 3 miles for G & H of my house), is the main reason I am looking in to replacing the SDS.

 

[jtwalker]

Do your research on the differences between a Unication G pager and a scanner before you buy.

The Uni G can scan up to 64 talkgroups in one system and one site on that system. Or 16 conventional channels. To go to more talkgroups or force a switch to a new site or to access a different system, you change settings and no long have access to what you were monitoring before.

I don’t see any differences in reception capabilities between my SDS and my G5 when listening to the same system/site.

 

[CTWaters]

I don’t see any differences in reception capabilities between my SDS and my G5 when listing to the same system/site.

Thank you sir.

I was standing next to him yesterday with my SDS and he had his G5. Same Simulcasts programmed, and I didn't pick up anything on the simulcasts I normally don't get, but his was busy as all get out on those two. He also picked up the same things on the two Simulcasts that I do get, so he was picking up everything I was, but I wasn't picking up anything from the repeater on Simulcast G right on the other side of the freeway (literally).

 

[jtwalker]

Could be antenna, programming, settings. Could be SDS is scanning so much more that it misses stuff that Uni picks up because it's focused on one system/site. Too many variables to just say the SDS is inferior to the Uni G.

And my results weren't scientific, it's just what I have casually observed using the same external antenna connected via a multi-coupler.

I'm not saying the Uni G isn't a great receiver, and not raining on your desire to acquire one.

EDIT: Before anyone corrects my comment about 64 talkgroups, you can use a wildcard to listen to all talkgroups not just the 64 you have programmed but then you also get animal control, dept of water/sewer, etc.

 

[N6ML]

It's pretty widely accepted that the G-series is a far better radio on 7/800MHz than the SDS100. If you're in a strong signal area, you may not notice much difference, but in fringe areas the difference is "night and day". The SDS100 in generally is a pretty poor receiver. Its only real value is that it handles linear simulcast modulation where tranditional scanners can't.

 

[CTWaters]

If you're in a strong signal area, you may not notice much difference.....

And see, this was definitely a strong area and I noticed a 100% difference!

Below is a map of Simulcast G, which is where 90% of the action is that I really need / want to pick up.

The X is where we were both running tuned in to Sim G, and his was picking up everything broadcasted on there.

The O is where I live, and I have never been able to pick up anything from G.

Both radios were programmed different software (obviously), but same way - imported from RR.

 

[CanesFan95]

Hmmm, this doesn't sound right. It seems odd that with a strong signal, the SDS would just be completely missing stuff. I think the only way to make a like comparison is to have the Unication and SDS both set to stay on just one TGID (the same TG) and see what happens. If they're both scanning different stuff or are not in sync, then it could seem like one is not picking up stuff the other is. The Unications have no scan delay, so they may inherently sound busier even though the SDS might be receiving just fine.

 

[CTWaters]

I think the only way to make a like comparison is to have the Unication and SDS both set to stay on just one TGID (the same TG) and see what happens.

This is exactly what we did. TGID 4740 on Simulcast B, both picked up absolutely no problem. I get GPD South on this all the time, so that one I know works. TGID 4737, neither radio picked up as expected. This channel isn't broadcasted on Simulcast B.

We tried TGID 4740 on Simulcast G, G5 picked up all the traffic, SDS couldn't even grab any of the Simulcast G traffic. G5 also picked up TGID's 3401, 2498, 2601, and 18001. None of which, when my SDS was locked in to, picked up any traffic whatsoever.

 

[918Dave]

Were you using the stock antenna on the SDS?

 

[blackbelter]

Per previous posts , and In my experience, G5 outperforms my SDS 200 on every level . While my SDS 200 performs well it’s just not on the same level of performance . G5 does not need any drama , adjustments or steps to meet my monitoring expectations . It just works well .

 

[CTWaters]

Were you using the stock antenna on the SDS?

Negative Sir. I have always had the Remtronix on it.

 

[918Dave]

That is also my antenna choice, but I'm not experiencing the same issues. I utilize Site G on both the SDS & G5 for listening to Glendale. Same antenna on both radios and I live within a mile of the downtown tower.

 

[CTWaters]

I utilize Site G on both the SDS & G5 for listening to Glendale. Same antenna on both radios and I live within a mile of the downtown tower.

When I lived in Glendale near the Stadium everything was rock solid. Simulcast G and White Tanks were all I basically needed, outside of Simulcast A.

If you look at the map I posted in a post above, I should be able to pick them up no problem, as I am down the street from the repeaters.

But nothing I do will get G or White Tanks where I am at, right down the street.

Also, I don't get Gilbert or Chandler from here, but that G5 picked them both up.

 

[CTWaters]

Received my G5 the other day. Programmed the Simulcast Group that my SDS100, nor SDS200 can receive here at the house.

Sitting right next to my SDS100, the G5 picks up that Simulcast no problem, and I am hearing TGID's I haven't heard in over 3 years.

 

[CanesFan95]

Thanks for reporting back. I was honestly wondering what the outcome would be and glad I didn't go the SDS route now.

 

[62Truck]

Do your research on the differences between a Unication G pager and a scanner before you buy.

The Uni G can scan up to 64 talkgroups in one system and one site on that system. Or 16 conventional channels. To go to more talkgroups or force a switch to a new site or to access a different system, you change settings and no long have access to what you were monitoring before.

I don’t see any differences in reception capabilities between my SDS and my G5 when listening to the same system/site.

Just have to be a little creative with your knob positions. On the systems I monitor I break them up. Position 1 is what I label as primary, This is will usually be the Dispatch talkgroups of the services I want to Monitor. Then the next knob position is Fire, Police, Events, and Interops