Help me help you

[rbjzx9]

Interesting to see so many posts regarding the status LED. Having my SDS running side-by-side with several GRE models, I was not happy to see that the LED on the SDS times out after 5 seconds while those on the GRE models follow the conversations. Responses here as to why this happens suggests there is a GRE patent on this. Considering how much people LOVE this feature, I wonder if you've considered licensing (or equiv) the technology so the status LED on the SDS models can also follow carriers.

This.

It would also be great if we could use the LED alert light, instead of the screen on the BCD996P2.

I think this has already been mentioned, but the Audio AGC doesn't seem to do much. My PSR-500 handles this much better.

Thanks!

 

[JoeBearcat]

Stupid question, but will Siren ever work in android? all it does is crash. I have not considered purchasing another Uniden, due to all the broken promises with the BCD536HP that never were fulfilled in the release video.

The SIREN app is a topic that has been discussed internally. My stand is that it needs to be updated. I do not know what management will authorize or when.

 

[JoeBearcat]

Interesting to see so many posts regarding the status LED. Having my SDS running side-by-side with several GRE models, I was not happy to see that the LED on the SDS times out after 5 seconds while those on the GRE models follow the conversations. Responses here as to why this happens suggests there is a GRE patent on this. Considering how much people LOVE this feature, I wonder if you've considered licensing (or equiv) the technology so the status LED on the SDS models can also follow carriers.

It is unknown if Whistler would even license this or at what cost. We might be able to check on this.

 

[JoeBearcat]

I wondering the samething. I like where you can have more than 1 color also if you have more than 1 pd/so in your area.

You can assign different colors to different channels, but I'm assuming your question is not exactly that. The whole Alert LED operation will be something we can look at. This will involve many legal opinions that are above my pay grade. But if licensed I would assume that license would include several aspects. There may be improvements we can do that no not involve existing patents.

 

[JoeBearcat]

HP2 Addition : On screen volume control independent of the physical rocker.

You mean something like + and - icons on either side of hte volume bar display you can use? (hint: those exist).

Yes, you have to press the rocker once to bring up the volume control. Perhaps a volume icon can be added, but I don't know where. Will look into it, but that would be a feature addition.

 

[hiegtx]

Here is link to UPMAN's comment about lack of code space in HP2 for adding NXDN.

Thanks for finding that quote.

 

[n2pqq]

Here are a couple of wild ideas which will probably never happen,

1) Make a table top receiver like the Icom R8600 with the capabilities of the
Uniden SDS 200.
And yes Bearcat did make a SWL receiver once upon a time .

Bearcat DX1000, Electra dx1000

2) Make a scanner that can interface with internet and be able to play
radio feeds thru the scanner example Broadcastify
yet have its normal operations .

3) Make more modes available example Dstar , Tetra , and so on .

 

[WoodburyMan]

Assuming you are serious (given the smiley I'm not sure)...

SDR takes a lot of power. I don't see how we can fit the SDS100 guts and battery in a 396 size case. Of course technology is always improving. There may also be heat dissipation issues.

The antenna change would be a hard sell. It means adding another SKU of antennas and adapters since none of the existing ones are compatible. There would have to be a very compelling reason for the change. Not saying it can't happen - just saying it would not be easy to justify.

Charging 2A - maybe. It's possible with recent USB specs. And I expect all near future models to be charged via USB (and perhaps other methods).

If I can add to this, utilizing USB-C Ports would be ideal. Reversible design would save a lot of frustration. Likewise, they're designed to withstand much more force than Micro-USB or Mini-USB ports so they'd break less often. If you could utilize the USB-PD (Power Delivery) spec, it would allow for things like faster charging, and taking in whatever voltage you want. USB-PD supports 5v, 9v,15v, and 20v, with 5amp @ 20v being the highest per official spec right now delivering 100watts. Of course the scanners wouldn't need that, but it allows you to design around whatever input voltage you want. Plus USB-PD is used on all Android phones, tablets, newer Macbooks and iPads now (Just not iPhones..) so one charger would work on everything.

 

[WoodburyMan]

I think I mentioned it a bit ago, but my SDS100 and SDS200 do great with Simulcast distortion in general. There's 2 or 3 Simulcast Sites for a specific trunk channel in range of me. It does a great job at decoding the Control Channel and P25 Phase 1. Recently though they switched the primary users (State Police) to TDMA Phase 2 Talk Groups, and since then I've struggled with signal. It seems the Simulcast Distortion correction does not work well on TDMA (Given TDMA is very time sensitive, I get why). I had to change my filter I used from "Wide Normal" to flat out "Off" for this site (Using attenuation function brought the signal too low..) so that it would only really pick up the strongest/closest Simulcast Site. This works fine for one of my sites, however there's two other sites for this system that I had in range that I can no longer pick up as they only just came in on "Wide Normal" filter, and turning it to "off" or "Normal" brings it way too low for it to lock onto the CC. Without correction, with filters on, it would trunk-track from the CC to the audio. If it's a Phase 1 group, it'd work fine and decode the audio. Phase 2 TDMA, it would pause for a split second while displaying the Talk Group name, so signal meter, then move on, much how it displays/shows Encrypted Channels for a split second move moving on.

The kicker, using the same antenna, I hook up a cheap RTL-SDR and SDRTrunk or DSDPlus and they can get all 3 sites and decode the audio all day long with no issues at all.

 

[JoeBearcat]

If I can add to this, utilizing USB-C Ports would be ideal.

Yes, I am a big fan of USB-C for the reasons you mentioned and suggested that for the SDS series. The price delta is apparently significant. I hope that changes.

 

[JoeBearcat]

I think I mentioned it a bit ago, but my SDS100 and SDS200 do great with Simulcast distortion in general. There's 2 or 3 Simulcast Sites for a specific trunk channel in range of me. It does a great job at decoding the Control Channel and P25 Phase 1. Recently though they switched the primary users (State Police) to TDMA Phase 2 Talk Groups, and since then I've struggled with signal. It seems the Simulcast Distortion correction does not work well on TDMA (Given TDMA is very time sensitive, I get why). I had to change my filter I used from "Wide Normal" to flat out "Off" for this site (Using attenuation function brought the signal too low..) so that it would only really pick up the strongest/closest Simulcast Site. This works fine for one of my sites, however there's two other sites for this system that I had in range that I can no longer pick up as they only just came in on "Wide Normal" filter, and turning it to "off" or "Normal" brings it way too low for it to lock onto the CC. Without correction, with filters on, it would trunk-track from the CC to the audio. If it's a Phase 1 group, it'd work fine and decode the audio. Phase 2 TDMA, it would pause for a split second while displaying the Talk Group name, so signal meter, then move on, much how it displays/shows Encrypted Channels for a split second move moving on.

The kicker, using the same antenna, I hook up a cheap RTL-SDR and SDRTrunk or DSDPlus and they can get all 3 sites and decode the audio all day long with no issues at all.

That could be something related to that specific system. For example, it's possible they reduced the power on the transmitters when they transitioned to Phase II, and that is the cause. Does this same issue exist if you are closer to the respective sites?

The dongles may be have more raw sensitivity.

 

[MattSR]

Hi Joe,

One more thing I would like to add as well, is that the Australian market USDS scanner effectively is abandoned when it comes to firmware updates and bugfixes.

The current firmware version for the USDS100 is 1.10.01, which I believe is several versions behind the US models. Is it possible to get these models updated to the latest firmware? From a softawre engineering point of view, surely the effort in creating an additional build artefact for these models would be minimal, given that Uniden already have the build process/pipeline already in place?

https://uniden.com.au/wp-content/uploads/USDS100_Firmware-Update_MainV1.10.01-and-SubV1.02.01.zip

Cheers,
Matt

Hi Joe, just wondering if you could comment on this please. Quite a few USDS users down under suffer the same frustration with this as I do.

 

[iMONITOR]

Will Uniden ever give a purpose of the front panel mounted USB A interface? If not a use for it at least disclose what was planned for it in the future? That way if Uniden never takes advantage of it maybe some of RR's more advance users could design a purpose for it?

 

[TexTAC]

Please make “range” a display option on SDS100.

 

[pb_lonny]

PLEASE:
Release a non P25 / Trunking scanner that still has auto store....

 

[JoeBearcat]

Hi Joe, just wondering if you could comment on this please. Quite a few USDS users down under suffer the same frustration with this as I do.

I cannot, as Uniden Australia is a completely different division.

 

[JoeBearcat]

Will Uniden ever give a purpose of the front panel mounted USB A interface? If not a use for it at least disclose what was planned for it in the future? That way if Uniden never takes advantage of it maybe some of RR's more advance users could design a purpose for it?

We are still trying to find UPMan's 'roadmap'. I think I know some of the planned features, but this is a work in progress.

Your suggestion is a good one - if Uniden cannot use it directly then release the connection and protocol. I will pass that on. This may take a while to determine and to decide if Uniden will develop it internally.

 

[JoeBearcat]

Please make “range” a display option on SDS100.

Noted. (100 and 200)

 

[Dan_M]

One feature that I like to see added is the ability to change service types in favorites list. For example in able to edit field custom 1 through 8 in the service list. to give an example like this Community repeater List, Attractions, Emergency Management and so on.

 

[JoeBearcat]

One feature that I like to see added is the ability to change service types in favorites list. For example in able to edit field custom 1 through 8 in the service list. to give an example like this Community repeater List, Attractions, Emergency Management and so on.

That is another feature that was mentioned years ago. It did get get far. But, I will try again.