Hi RR, I tried the TRX1 & SDS100, both pre-programmed, and heard NOTHING for weeks so I bought an SDR.

[jdanielm1974]

It's just your regular Amazon $40 SDR w/antenna. I downloaded airspy and now I just want to sit back and listen to other people's problems instead of dealing with my own. I have questions, but I don't want to be a burden, I'm happy to earn my keep. Anyway, hello to everyone and looking forward to gaining more knowledge on this subject. Thank you!

 

[Ubbe]

We will need more information. Did the two preprogrammed SD cards come from the same place? Then they might have done the same mistake on both SD cards. What systems isn't working with those programmings and can you see on the TRX that the scanlist for that system are scrolling on the display and can be seen on the display on the SDS100?
If you can post the favorite list and the CDAT file there will be people that can look at it and correct any mistakes in them.

/Ubbe

 

[jdanielm1974]

Hi Ubbe, I bought the scanners back in 2021, and had them pre-programmed from scannermaster. I'm sure they work great, it turns out it's the topography of my neighborhood that keeps me from receiving the channels I'm interested in. Well, that and now they're all encrypted.
But I recently I started reading about SDRs and thought the ability to listen to a much wider band might yield some fruit. The person at scannermaster was very helpful, he even let me send one of them back and he reprogrammed it and added the DMR feature so I couldn't accidentally mess that up too. As far as the SDR situation goes, I purchased the RTL.SDR V3 dongle and it came with a basic telescopic antenna. I'm sure I need a better antenna, and other assorted items. I purchased two different Baofeng radios and then discovered they're illegal to use even if I'm only listening not transmitting. The SDR can't transmit so I assume I'm safe. Is that correct?


That sounds like a whole lot of fun. I'm trying out the AIRSPY app now, and yes, it does feel like it's going to be a headache. If I decide to buy another scanner, I guess I don't need the most expensive one again, right? Just a digital, trunking model that is P25 phase II capable?

 

[maus92]

I see some unencrypted services in Tarrant County so you should be hearing something on your scanner. Perhaps the model you purchased doesn't handle simulcast systems adequately. One red flag I see is if you cannot program a scanner, you will have a more difficult time with SDR software. I suggest you buckle up and learn how scanner programming software works first, then tackle SDR software. Keep in mind that you will probably need one or two more SDRs to receive trunking systems efficiently.

 

[Enforcer52]

If you are in Arlington, then the SDS100 should be picking up both Tarrant and Dallas counties very good. Fort Worth PD and Arlignton PD are encrypted, but Dallas isn't. Also Tarrant SO is not encrypted along with most of the smaller cites around Tarrant Co. When I am up there my SDS200 pick up all the unencrypted stuff great with just a rubber duck style antenna when programmed for the NTIRN system. There is constant chatter on that system to the point you end up avoiding a lot of it or the scanner never stops. I pick up Pantego from the Edgecliff Village area of SW Fort Worth.

I suspect the scanner is programmed wrong, your area has some tall buildings but there are no mountains around so topography is not that much of a problem.

 

[ka3jjz]

You would be wise to take 1 scanner at a time, as the TRX1 and the SDS use completely different concepts to store and manage their data.

Each of the articles has a 'Nuts and Bolts' section to help with some of the terminology. Read these first.

Let's start with the TRX-1

GRE/RS PC Object Oriented FAQ - The RadioReference Wiki

wiki.radioreference.com

At the bottom of this you will find a section called 'Additional Resources'. Here you will find links to the Easier to Read manual for the TRX-1 (and it's associated programming software) along with several videos to help you along

Now onto the SDS scanner

SDS100 and SDS200 FAQ Page - The RadioReference Wiki

wiki.radioreference.com

This is a 2 page document. On the first page, concentrate on the 'Relevant Resource Material' section where the Easier to Read manuals for the SDS and Sentinel (Uniden's programming software) can be found. Pay attention to the 'What Must I do first?' section. Now on page 2

SDS100 and SDS200 FAQ Page 2 - The RadioReference Wiki

wiki.radioreference.com

You will see a whole section devoted to various videos.

As you found out pre-programming isn't always the best way to go. As an alternative go to the Texas forum and ask for programming files (EZ-Scan for the TRX-1, Sentinel for the SDS - they are NOT idnterchangeable!)

It's a lot to grasp as a newcomer. As it was said in the 'Contact' movie with Jodie Foster, 'Small Steps, Sparks'.....Mike

 

[jdanielm1974]

You would be wise to take 1 scanner at a time, as the TRX1 and the SDS use completely different concepts to store and manage their data.

Each of the articles has a 'Nuts and Bolts' section to help with some of the terminology. Read these first.

Let's start with the TRX-1

GRE/RS PC Object Oriented FAQ - The RadioReference Wiki

wiki.radioreference.com

At the bottom of this you will find a section called 'Additional Resources'. Here you will find links to the Easier to Read manual for the TRX-1 (and it's associated programming software) along with several videos to help you along

Now onto the SDS scanner

SDS100 and SDS200 FAQ Page - The RadioReference Wiki

wiki.radioreference.com

This is a 2 page document. On the first page, concentrate on the 'Relevant Resource Material' section where the Easier to Read manuals for the SDS and Sentinel (Uniden's programming software) can be found. Pay attention to the 'What Must I do first?' section. Now on page 2

SDS100 and SDS200 FAQ Page 2 - The RadioReference Wiki

wiki.radioreference.com

You will see a whole section devoted to various videos.

As you found out pre-programming isn't always the best way to go. As an alternative go to the Texas forum and ask for programming files (EZ-Scan for the TRX-1, Sentinel for the SDS - they are NOT idnterchangeable!)

It's a lot to grasp as a newcomer. As it was said in the 'Contact' movie with Jodie Foster, 'Small Steps, Sparks'.....Mike

That's a lot of helpful information I wish I had several years ago. Thank you sir!

 

[jdanielm1974]

You would be wise to take 1 scanner at a time, as the TRX1 and the SDS use completely different concepts to store and manage their data.

Each of the articles has a 'Nuts and Bolts' section to help with some of the terminology. Read these first.

Let's start with the TRX-1

GRE/RS PC Object Oriented FAQ - The RadioReference Wiki

wiki.radioreference.com

At the bottom of this you will find a section called 'Additional Resources'. Here you will find links to the Easier to Read manual for the TRX-1 (and it's associated programming software) along with several videos to help you along

Now onto the SDS scanner

SDS100 and SDS200 FAQ Page - The RadioReference Wiki

wiki.radioreference.com

This is a 2 page document. On the first page, concentrate on the 'Relevant Resource Material' section where the Easier to Read manuals for the SDS and Sentinel (Uniden's programming software) can be found. Pay attention to the 'What Must I do first?' section. Now on page 2

SDS100 and SDS200 FAQ Page 2 - The RadioReference Wiki

wiki.radioreference.com

You will see a whole section devoted to various videos.

As you found out pre-programming isn't always the best way to go. As an alternative go to the Texas forum and ask for programming files (EZ-Scan for the TRX-1, Sentinel for the SDS - they are NOT idnterchangeable!)

It's a lot to grasp as a newcomer. As it was said in the 'Contact' movie with Jodie Foster, 'Small Steps, Sparks'.....Mike

I purchased a used Uniden BCD996T last night, it should be here next week, and I'll give it a try. It obviously won't work with P25 phase II, which is what everyone around me uses, but they also encrypt their transmissions so it doesn't matter anyway. I will ask the forum if there is a file I can download that's already got my local area set up, that should help me considerably.

 

[maus92]

If your target system is simulcast, the 996T will be a disappointment.

 

[ka3jjz]

Quite right, and the 996T doesn't use Sentinel. I would suggest not wasting your money and devote more time into understanding what you have. I suspect you are looking for an easy solution and I'm afraid this kind of scanning simply doesn't lend itself to that

Mike

 

[K9KLC]

Quite right, and the 996T doesn't use Sentinel. I would suggest not wasting your money and devote more time into understanding what you have. I suspect you are looking for an easy solution and I'm afraid this kind of scanning simply doesn't lend itself to that

Mike

You are 100% correct. The days of plug and play are long gone. This is the best advice here.

 

[ka3jjz]

I would also hazard a guess that the TRX-1 will also have issues if your desired system is simulcast. If it were me, I would keep and learn on the SDS100 as a portable, buy 2 RTL-SDR sticks (cheap) and delve into SDRTrunk (to get this discussion back on track) as your home solution

Mike

 

[dkcorlfla]

If your target system is simulcast, the 996T will be a disappointment.

I have the BCD996P2 and it works fine on the Orlando simulcast. I have a Discone up about 20 feet so perhaps I'm close enough to one of the transmitters that the other transmitters do not come into play? I also do not use it mobile.

I do not know what the difference between the 996T and the 996P2 that I own but I'm happy with it.

 

[dkcorlfla]

Hi Ubbe, I bought the scanners back in 2021, and had them pre-programmed from scannermaster. I'm sure they work great, it turns out it's the topography of my neighborhood that keeps me from receiving the channels I'm interested in. Well, that and now they're all encrypted.
But I recently I started reading about SDRs and thought the ability to listen to a much wider band might yield some fruit. The person at scannermaster was very helpful, he even let me send one of them back and he reprogrammed it and added the DMR feature so I couldn't accidentally mess that up too. As far as the SDR situation goes, I purchased the RTL.SDR V3 dongle and it came with a basic telescopic antenna. I'm sure I need a better antenna, and other assorted items.

I have the same RTL-SDR V3 and find it works very well for a low cost dongle. An outdoor scanner antenna would be a huge help as that would get the antenna much farther from all the RFI noise from the computer and monitor. Maybe consider just using one SDR to find open stuff on VHF and up and the Air Bands. There is a lot of interesting stuff out there for the picking with a low coast SDR.

 

[Hit_Factor]

I have the BCD996P2 and it works fine on the Orlando simulcast. I have a Discone up about 20 feet so perhaps I'm close enough to one of the transmitters that the other transmitters do not come into play? I also do not use it mobile.

I do not know what the difference between the 996T and the 996P2 that I own but I'm happy with it.

Part of simulcast distortion is not receiving anything at all, so how do you know it works fine? What other antennas have you tried? Usually, Public Safety systems are well designed and built, a paperclip can be a good antenna for minimizing simulcast distortion. Sometimes the gain and null of yagi antennas help to mitigate simulcast distortion.

 

[maus92]

I have the BCD996P2 and it works fine on the Orlando simulcast. I have a Discone up about 20 feet so perhaps I'm close enough to one of the transmitters that the other transmitters do not come into play? I also do not use it mobile.

I do not know what the difference between the 996T and the 996P2 that I own but I'm happy with it.

Satisfactory performance using an non-simulcast optimized radio to monitor a simulcast system is highly dependent on its physical location and its receive antenna. A few people are lucky; most are not. And if you take it mobile, it is unlikely to work reliably.

 

[jdanielm1974]

I know the "perfect evening" of scanning the airwaves while sipping my 21 year old scotch isn't going to show up on my doorstep without SOME effort on my part, I'm willing to put work into it. I've tried half a dozen scanners and a couple of cheap overseas 2-ways, and I can't pickup ANYTHING. I'm sure it's the topography, our apartment complex is bowl shaped, and we're at the bottom. I would be content with some simple aviation traffic, hell even a meter reader if they still exist. I gave up on the Police/EMS stuff, it's all encrypted now anyway. The used one I ordered will be here in a couple of days, and HOPEFULLY someone here will be compassionate and find it in their heart to shoot me a spreadsheet already filled out for my zip code, at which time I will become their new best friend, and we will remain close for the foreseeable future, sharing scanner related stories and popcorn. Is that really too much to ask?

 

[dickie757]

List what radios you have right now. That will give folks a better idea of where to point you.

 

[ka3jjz]

He originally said he had the TRX-1 and SDS100, and I pointed him to extensive help for both scanners in message 6 of this thread.

Mike

 

[dickie757]

He originally said he had the TRX-1 and SDS100, and I pointed him to extensive help for both scanners in message 6 of this thread.

Mike

Yes, but I found this:

Third time's the charm... I hope.

I live in the DFW area, and I can't hear anything! I've used, and programmed trunking scanners before, it's been about 12yrs but now nothing works. I bought a Whistler TRX1 and... silence. Returned it and got a Uniden BCD436HP, and... crickets. Returned it and ordered the Uniden SDS100. To...

forums.radioreference.com

so, I figured I'd ask