SDS100/SDS200: Hidden gem in the new firmware, maybe next release?
- Thread starter redbeard
- Start date
Interesting.
Isn't dPMR a free to use open standard? If so, I wonder if it'll be included free in a future update, of if Uniden is going to start treating us as cash cows for new enhancements. I'm also curious if newer SDS100's & 200's will come with the waterfall pre-installed or if that is going to be the first of a new "buy ware" marketing strategy.
I agree! Any radio the supports dPMR should be free.
dPmr is already a paid option in Europe for the SDS100E and SDS200E
don't be a cash cow, don't buy updates.
only free stock firmware, only hardcore
the philosophical question: should programmers be paid money?
Of course programmers should be paid, for instance I have no problems with them selling the waterfall option, after all it was not advertised when I bought the radio, so it's definitely a new added plus. However, it's a SCANNER... and don't people expect a high-end top-of-the-line flagship model to pick up everything that is open source? I knew going it I'd have to pay for some specific services, so that's on me, but if they are going to offer updates as a marketing tool for keeping their equipment current and a draw for the consumer, sometimes it's wise to consider things like "good will" and customer loyalty, without it, people sometimes jump ship.
eorange
♦RF Enabled Member♦
Open source and open standard is not the same thing. It's not unreasonable to pay for the implementation of an open standard.
Opinions vary. I for one will see how it plays out. If they go down that path, I'll consider other options if/when I decide to purchase another scanner down the line. Fortunately that is not something I need to worry about at this point in time as everything I care to listen to in my area is already covered.
ludek-brno
Member
Why can't I buy a DPMR key with fw support on the US version of the scanner ??? Money doesn't stink to anyone in the world!!! The new firmware for the SDS series did not bring me anything new. Uniden probably wouldn't be able to implement PCIF output into fw. It's still just about the inability to come into the world with something really new.
Lucifer_Morningstar
Member
- Joined
- Aug 27, 2022
- Messages
- 37
Since when does Uniden release their firmware source code for public review ?
Seems like a violation of IP/proprietary NDA's or EUA's.
So I wonder if the firmware is shared and that's why it's not shown as an option for the US model? Or if it's being prepared for US use but isn't ready yet? If the option exists we should be allowed to buy it, as some people do like to travel with their scanner as well as with their dPMR radios using them improperly in the USA. I don't need to be gatekeeped (gatekept?) from buying a nearly worthless upgrade, after all Provoice was an option...
I've not checked the firmware on my scanner or the file if someone downloads it, but its not unknown for people to peek at the code with a sector editor. So sharing might not have been an issue.
Ubbe
Member
The European distributor Avera pays for having any changes made to the EU firmware, and have Uniden scanners with the added E at the end of their model name or a U added in front of it, that makes Avery responsible for support and warranty themselves, getting scanners at a lower price, and US Uniden refuses to spend time on those scanner owners.
If US scanners gets 3 firmware upgrades the E ones gets one. Avera waits until a firmware are more or less bug free before they opt to make the changes in it available to E owners. If Uniden US would like to make the dPMR decoder available to US users they probably would need to make a deal with Avera. Analog PMR446 are a EU standard format and I though dPMR, that also use the 446Mhz band, where a unique EU thing as well.
/Ubbe
If US scanners gets 3 firmware upgrades the E ones gets one. Avera waits until a firmware are more or less bug free before they opt to make the changes in it available to E owners. If Uniden US would like to make the dPMR decoder available to US users they probably would need to make a deal with Avera. Analog PMR446 are a EU standard format and I though dPMR, that also use the 446Mhz band, where a unique EU thing as well.
/Ubbe
Those are indeed EU standards similar to our FRS but most consumers don't know the difference and find themselves traveling and bringing their radios with them to use where they aren't supposed to. Cruise ships are probably the most obvious places. As well as people buying online and not realizing they are buying the wrong stuff, hearing good things about them in online forums. I'd say equal chances of hearing an FRS radio in EU and a dPMR radio in the US/Canada but either instance should be few and far between. I'm more likely to find myself abroad with my scanner than ever hear a dPMR radio here in rural Ohio. I would buy the dPMR upgrade if it were available.
Ubbe
Member
When I checked the cost for a 16ch dPMR 446Mhz radio are $200 and a conventional DMR are $100, that you program from the keypad and has a high resell value, and analog 8ch PMR446 $50.
I haven't heard one dPMR call in the by far biggest radio dense city in Sweden. I don't know how it is in other countries but here it's also 6 channels in the 444Mhz band that can be used by anyone, private or company, for an annual fee of $5 and you can even use DMR and there's 4 channels at 155Mhz dedicated for farmers, hunting and boats, and for private use there are 16 channels at 69Mhz to use for free without any registration required. For construction site type of work there are also the whole 429Mhz range that are under government frequency management to be used for an annual fee of $10 if you have a company in that type of business. Some people buy cheap Chinese Baofeng type of $25 radios on the net that comes preprogrammed with FRS/GMRS frequencies that sometimes can be heard and used by a variety kind of users. There isn't any demand for the dPMR segment when there's so much else to choose from. Perhaps it's a different situation in other countries if they are more restricted with their frequencies.
/Ubbe
I haven't heard one dPMR call in the by far biggest radio dense city in Sweden. I don't know how it is in other countries but here it's also 6 channels in the 444Mhz band that can be used by anyone, private or company, for an annual fee of $5 and you can even use DMR and there's 4 channels at 155Mhz dedicated for farmers, hunting and boats, and for private use there are 16 channels at 69Mhz to use for free without any registration required. For construction site type of work there are also the whole 429Mhz range that are under government frequency management to be used for an annual fee of $10 if you have a company in that type of business. Some people buy cheap Chinese Baofeng type of $25 radios on the net that comes preprogrammed with FRS/GMRS frequencies that sometimes can be heard and used by a variety kind of users. There isn't any demand for the dPMR segment when there's so much else to choose from. Perhaps it's a different situation in other countries if they are more restricted with their frequencies.
/Ubbe
ludek-brno
Member
Even if there was only one DPMR transmitter in my city, I want to have that protocol in the scanner. And if EU Avera importers pay for this protocol, I don't understand why I can't activate it in the US version of the scanner!!
I would like to choose what I want to put in my scanner myself, no matter what part of the world I come from!!
In my city (Brno-CZ) DPMR446MHz is used even though it is a dead platform, it is still offered by the seller.
And hand on heart. After the death of Paul Opitz, what Uniden released is only a step back.
Just decline and unwillingness to move on!!!
This is extremely useful information. It basically telling us that the dPMR code is not even in the USA FW. If it was then Uniden could be selling it as a purcahsable option and pay royalties based on sales.
I believe the TETRA format falls into the same kind of conditions as dPMR mode. TETRA is huge in the European market I am surprised that noone has negotiated a royalty deal and is offereing TETRA as a option. 95% of TETRA is encrypted maybe that is why no-one wants to do the work. Who really needs a scanner that spends all its time auto muting even on TG searching.
Except it IS in the code, reference the link in my original post and you can see it.
