SDS100/SDS200: I think I made a mistake!

[djeplett]

You're not the first person to admit to possibly buying something more than what you need so don't feel too bad. And with the apparent national shortage of these scanners you should be able to get almost all your money back, too.

 

[fasteddy64]

You're not the first person to admit to possibly buying something more than what you need so don't feel too bad. And with the apparent national shortage of these scanners you should be able to get almost all your money back, too.

Thanks, I hope I am able to do that.
Ed

 

[eaf1956]

I loved my SDS 100 even though I just sold it. Wasn't being used enough here, the other HAM will enjoy it since I have my 200s. Just a thought use the Radio Reference classifieds if you are going to sell the SDS 100. I sold mine in less than a week on RR Classifieds. Darn I need to edit my signature.

 

[hiegtx]

Thanks, I hope I am able to do that.
Ed

Ed,
You've got a mix of mostly Vhf-high channels in your area, with a few Uhf, and Abilene's ProVoice system on 800MHz. Right now, the SDS100 might be more than you need, but whenever Abilene switches to their Phase II system, you might inherit simulcast issues. If that turns out to be the case, then the SDS100 would then be the right scanner to use.

I have a lot more systems to deal with here in DFW. What I've done on the filters is to set the Global setting (in the profile) to Normal, which works pretty well for me across the board, I have a couple of more distant 700/800MHz trunked systems that reception was improved by using Wide-Invert. I've left everything else set as "Global", which means they'll use the Normal setting, as in the Profile.

What you might do is pick one of your Vhf-high frequencies, that is either farther away, or does not come in quite like you want. Experiment with that specific department, to see which setting works best. If you also have one or more additional ones that might benefit from a tweak, see if what you used on the first one helps. If it does, then you might set your Global setting to whatever you've found best, since you have more Vhf-high than anything For any of your conventional frequencies that use Uhf, if they do not work as well as before the change on the Global setting, flip them back to Normal at the Department level. I'd try setting the Abilene ProVoice to just normal, and see how that works. If reception improves on some, maybe the scan speed will not seem so slow.

You can make the display as complex (cluttered) with fields as you can stand, or simplify what it shows to only what you want or need.

I've found, as someone else also noted, that the SDS100 is more sensitive than my x36HP and other scanners. There's one trunked system in a neighboring county that my 436HPs do not get from home. I do hear that on the SDS100.

Of none of the above suggestions, from whoever, does not improve your opinion with the SDS100, then you should be able to get enough selling it to buy another 4536HP, with some leftover change.

 

[fasteddy64]

Ed,
You've got a mix of mostly Vhf-high channels in your area, with a few Uhf, and Abilene's ProVoice system on 800MHz. Right now, the SDS100 might be more than you need, but whenever Abilene switches to their Phase II system, you might inherit simulcast issues. If that turns out to be the case, then the SDS100 would then be the right scanner to use.

I have a lot more systems to deal with here in DFW. What I've done on the filters is to set the Global setting (in the profile) to Normal, which works pretty well for me across the board, I have a couple of more distant 700/800MHz trunked systems that reception was improved by using Wide-Invert. I've left everything else set as "Global", which means they'll use the Normal setting, as in the Profile.

What you might do is pick one of your Vhf-high frequencies, that is either farther away, or does not come in quite like you want. Experiment with that specific department, to see which setting works best. If you also have one or more additional ones that might benefit from a tweak, see if what you used on the first one helps. If it does, then you might set your Global setting to whatever you've found best, since you have more Vhf-high than anything For any of your conventional frequencies that use Uhf, if they do not work as well as before the change on the Global setting, flip them back to Normal at the Department level. I'd try setting the Abilene ProVoice to just normal, and see how that works. If reception improves on some, maybe the scan speed will not seem so slow.

You can make the display as complex (cluttered) with fields as you can stand, or simplify what it shows to only what you want or need.

I've found, as someone else also noted, that the SDS100 is more sensitive than my x36HP and other scanners. There's one trunked system in a neighboring county that my 436HPs do not get from home. I do hear that on the SDS100.

Of none of the above suggestions, from whoever, does not improve your opinion with the SDS100, then you should be able to get enough selling it to buy another 4536HP, with some leftover change.

Thanks for your comments Steve.
I guess I could hang on to it for now, maybe it will grow on me.
Not sure when we will go to P25. It was supposed to happen already, not sure why it hasnt. I am no longer working with the communications here and am retiring in August so wont be privy to any insider info any more.

I plan on doing a lot of RV traveling, maybe I will have opportunities to enjoy the 100 then.

Ed

 

[hiegtx]

Thanks for your comments Steve.
I guess I could hang on to it for now, maybe it will grow on me.
Not sure when we will go to P25. It was supposed to happen already, not sure why it hasnt. I am no longer working with the communications here and am retiring in August so wont be privy to any insider info any more.

I plan on doing a lot of RV traveling, maybe I will have opportunities to enjoy the 100 then.

Ed

If you do any traveling at all, where you go to, or through, a large metro or urban area, simulcast is going to be looking at you right between the running lights somewhere along the line. Here in DFW, I've seen comments about simulcast with just about all of the trunked systems in the area. Right now, I don't have an issue. Where I am, I'm either far enough out of the system that simulcast is not an issue, or it's just not receivable from home. But when I'm in other parts of the area, in neighborhoods with severe simulcast issues being reported, the SDS100 does not miss a beat. Whenever Dallas, city & county, ever gets their ducks in a row & move to their planned P25 Phase II system, I'll be in the middle of that (about 5 miles southwest of downtown Dallas). When that happens, most of my Dallas monitoring will probably be on either the SDS100 or SDS200.

I've corresponded quite a bit with another member, who lives down in the southeast corner of Johnson County. He had a TRX-2, and simulcast was killing his reception. The Johnson County layer of FWRRS has three sites- Cleburne, Alvarado, & Crowley. Cleburne & Alvarado are about the same difference from him. But the Crowley location was about twice as far away, and was near the same line of site as Cleburne. We found thatif he used a large aluminum baking pan to shield his TRX-2 from the Cleburne/Crowley angle, he could easily hear the system. But that also limits what else you might be able to hear. He sold off the TRX-2, and switched to an SDS200. Problem solved, no issues hearing any of the local systems.

 

[fasteddy64]

If you do any traveling at all, where you go to, or through, a large metro or urban area, simulcast is going to be looking at you right between the running lights somewhere along the line. Here in DFW, I've seen comments about simulcast with just about all of the trunked systems in the area. Right now, I don't have an issue. Where I am, I'm either far enough out of the system that simulcast is not an issue, or it's just not receivable from home. But when I'm in other parts of the area, in neighborhoods with severe simulcast issues being reported, the SDS100 does not miss a beat. Whenever Dallas, city & county, ever gets their ducks in a row & move to their planned P25 Phase II system, I'll be in the middle of that (about 5 miles southwest of downtown Dallas). When that happens, most of my Dallas monitoring will probably be on either the SDS100 or SDS200.

I've corresponded quite a bit with another member, who lives down in the southeast corner of Johnson County. He had a TRX-2, and simulcast was killing his reception. The Johnson County layer of FWRRS has three sites- Cleburne, Alvarado, & Crowley. Cleburne & Alvarado are about the same difference from him. But the Crowley location was about twice as far away, and was near the same line of site as Cleburne. We found thatif he used a large aluminum baking pan to shield his TRX-2 from the Cleburne/Crowley angle, he could easily hear the system. But that also limits what else you might be able to hear. He sold off the TRX-2, and switched to an SDS200. Problem solved, no issues hearing any of the local systems.

Thanks Steve, I guess I will tough it out and learn to like this little beast!
Ed

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

I probably just bought more scanner than I really need.

No, you "futureproofed" your scanning experience. Eventually that old EDACS system will need to be replaced. With what? we don't know. Growing trend in my area and many others is P25 Phase-II simulcast TRS's and if that happens you'll have just the right radio to track it!

 

[fasteddy64]

No, you "futureproofed" your scanning experience. Eventually that old EDACS system will need to be replaced. With what? we don't know. Growing trend in my area and many others is P25 Phase-II simulcast TRS's and if that happens you'll have just the right radio to track it!

It will be replaced with a P25 phase II system. When that happens perhaps I will begin to truly appreciate this scanner.
Ed

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

Yes you will, believe me

 

[Trucker700]

Ed,
Once you do travel with the SDS100, I would recommend getting the optional GPS module and cable for it as well.
I drive an 18 wheeler cross country. And have an SDS100 with GPS, it works great. No messing with inputting zip codes etc. Just turn on the categories you wish to listen to and drive. I really do enjoy my SDS100. Since I'm in a loud truck, I also use a Uniden amplified external speaker. I doubt I could find a better setup.
James
aka Trucker

 

[fasteddy64]

Ed,
Once you do travel with the SDS100, I would recommend getting the optional GPS module and cable for it as well.
I drive an 18 wheeler cross country. And have an SDS100 with GPS, it works great. No messing with inputting zip codes etc. Just turn on the categories you wish to listen to and drive. I really do enjoy my SDS100. Since I'm in a loud truck, I also use a Uniden amplified external speaker. I doubt I could find a better setup.
James
aka Trucker

Thanks James, I have traveled with an HP2 and a GPS for years so will look into getting the cable for the SDS100 as well.
Stay safe out there,
Ed

 

[MisterLongwire]

I dont know what you are expecting out of your scanner. If all else fails, mug a cop next time you see one and steal his radio. Same thing thing for a fireman.

 

[dlaforett]

i sold my sds100 and got another bcd436hp didnt like the sds either

 

[fasteddy64]

I dont know what you are expecting out of your scanner. If all else fails, mug a cop next time you see one and steal his radio. Same thing thing for a fireman.

I am a fireman and I have an XG-75 sitting here with all the city freqs in it.

 

[MisterLongwire]

Lol

 

[brumey]

Every system??
Holy crap.
Seems pretty ridiculous to me.
Makes me want to sell it even more!
Thanks for the info.

I'll give you $350

 

[fasteddy64]

I'll give you $350

For my SDS100?
What a generous offer

 

[buddrousa]

If you are not happy with it please list in the Classified Section for all to see.

 

[fasteddy64]

If you are not happy with it please list in the Classified Section for all to see.

So if you read the entire thread you would see that I have decided to keep the scanner for now.