I recently dusted off my Home Patrol II that I retired when I purchased my SDS-200. I always liked the size, shape and display of the unit. It was always well suited for traveling and mobile use. It’s a shame that no further development was ever done on that model, particularly DMR and NXDN. I’ve considered a SDS-100 but I’ve always been concerned about various issues that have been documented here in the forums. Right now I use my BCD-436XT in airports, trains and hotel rooms when traveling and I’ll be looking at the RH-200 when Scannermaster releases it. Granted it’s an older scanner with simulcast issues but it serves the purpose for now.
Home Patrol II Wishful Thinking
- Thread starter KG4KHQ
- Start date
I can't comment on the home patrol but I had a 436 (still have a 536) and to be honest the day I tested it, on the simulcast system I monitor, I couldn't tell any difference between the SDS 100 and 536. Previous testing proved the 436 and 536 were almost like listening to the same device so never discount the 436 just because something is simulcast. Depending on the area, tower placement and your location, it "could" work pretty well.
As many of us recommend here, if a simulcast system(s) are known and is your primary focus, an SDS100 or SDS200 are the way to go. Too many times, I've read threads from frustrated users who went with a scanner that wasn't designed to handle simulcast systems, and "read about someone who said he didn't notice a difference", only to buy it, return window has come and gone and can't figure out why conversations are choppy or seeing the control channel being decoded and it's not coming through. Then the "paper clip crew" comes out who also swear that this method worked and still can't hear anything, followed by the "antenna pointed right at the nearest site" group, who swears that method worked, or I refer to as the Jon Lovitz members of Radio Reference...LOL!
If you have known simulcast systems to monitor, or plan on traveling, the SDS series is the way to go. Unication pagers also work, but have limitations that can also be dealt with if so desired. The money spent on buying a non-SDS scanner, followed by the antenna purchases, followed by the ibuprofen needed for the headaches soon to follow, you're better off buying the best instead of the rest.
Last edited:
Simulcast on non-SDS scanners. Yep! As they say in the real estate industry it's location, location, location! Last year I took my BCD325P2 with me to a convention in downtown Little Rock. Zilch. The 325 picked up practically nothing. This year the same convention was on the west side of Little Rock, and the 325 performed like a champ.
As far as Home Patrol 2, I wouldn't anticipate any updates or a HP3.
As far as Home Patrol 2, I wouldn't anticipate any updates or a HP3.
- Joined
- Jan 15, 2007
- Messages
- 7,411
No further development along the lines of DMR or NXDN (or other add on features) would be possible on the Home Patrol II. Additional memory space needed for adding on more features simply isn't available in that unit.
rf_patriot200
Active Member
I use my SDS 200 in conjunction with my HP 2 which also has the Extreme upgrade, and the two of them keep me aware of Everything going on in my bubble. and then I still have my 780 for military and civilian aircraft and all things analog.
I have both the HP-2 and the SDS100. I wouldn't part with either! And what "problems" with the SDS series? Most of those have been dealt with, and thankfully, the SDS firmware is still actively developed. The x36HP series models are effectively HP-3a & b versions, with the SDS series being effectively HP-4a & b, although neither have touchscreens. These 4 models continue where the old HomePatrol scanners left off. One thing they all have in common, is they're all Sentinel/database/favorites lists-based (and the favorites lists are interchangeable, via export/import, between all 6 models, including variants, and both versions of Sentinel).
I only stated what I noted on that day on my system here. I had a chance to compare and did and those were my results. Also the SDS 100 was absolutely horrible compared to both the 536 and 436 on any analog based VHF scanning. I could lie I guess and sing the praises of something that for me, in my location, on one system was so much better butit would be just that, a lie. I solved my simulcast worries by getting first a G5 then G4 and will m have another G5 here hopefully tomorrow. I don't buy new I wait till I can find a deal on a Unication so in 3 Unications, selling my 436 scanner and still keeping the G5 which I also got used, I'll have slightly less money than 2 new SDS scanners. My comment stands as I'm sure yours does too. 73.
Last edited:
This, exactly this. It's all about your location to the various towers.
I understand what you're referring to, and filter usage has made my analog reception better than my previously used 536 and 436 (which had to use the copper tape trick on the battery compartment to make my UHF analog usable). Fortunately, the SDS100 and a little filter tweaking did the trick.
But, posting that the x36hp scanners work better on simulcast systems is what I'm referring to. Many have followed this advice, saved $100 or so and find out it doesn't work at all at their location. My advice stands though...simulcast issues need the SDS series scanners, from there a couple tweaks along the way and a much happier owner.
Frankly for analog at home I use an old relm scanner that works well and has for over 20 years now. I don't believe I said it works "better" than the SDS. I said I couldn't tell a difference. It wasn't until I got a Unication G5 until I realized how bad they both were. Again and this is the part you're overlooking. "On the system I monitor on that day"? Bud you and I can go back and forth till the cows come home. You say simulcast systems "need SDS series scanners" yet others have made the same statements I have. Do i think if a person was gonna buy an actual scanner for simulcast he should probably get the SDS? Probably... I can't comment what goes at someone else's location nor would I attempt to try. Frankly if a person was only going to monitor one system and understand the limitations, I'd go Unication for a 700/800 system. No reason to get hobby grade stuff when there is professional grade stuff for close to the same price.
As I have said in many post. What you need depends on what your needs are what you want to hear and what are the pros and cons of the receiver available to you.
Hear only 1 system and limited Talkgroups UNICATION PAGER.
Hear several Systems Multiple Talkgroups plus ANALOG DMR NXDN SDSx00 SCANNER.
Hear only 1 system and limited Talkgroups UNICATION PAGER.
Hear several Systems Multiple Talkgroups plus ANALOG DMR NXDN SDSx00 SCANNER.