The knob on my scanner, had become extremely sensitive, and often moves on its own. Without the knob actually physically moving. In addition when attempting to use the knob to navigate through menus, it would jump through selections making it difficult to use. I had purchased this scanner years ago when it first came out, so I don't believe it's under warranty any longer. Is this something I can fix myself?
SDS100/SDS200: Knob moves on its own
- Thread starter nokoa3116
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Did you spray anything into it, IE: contact cleaner/lubricant?
Ubbe
Member
Squeeze it together at the back with your fingers and your thumb between the display and the softbuttons while you turn the knob. If it changes, goes worse or works better, it's probably a cold solder joint problem in that J401 connector. If no changes happen then its probably the switch that are dirty and need a splash of cleaner. You will have to take the scanner apart to fix both problems or check with jonwienke if have time to take a look in your scanner.
/Ubbe
For a scanner that cost almost $800 after taxes & shipping, quality control is pathetic! 
How about a MUGA Campaign..."MAKE UNIDEN GREAT AGAIN"?
How about a MUGA Campaign..."MAKE UNIDEN GREAT AGAIN"?
Uniden charges a flat rate repair for anything out of warranty.
If you have electronics repair skills - have at it (the cleaning tip above).
Or, send it in and have it repaired right - jonwienke may also be an option. (unidenscanners.com)
One note (iMONITOR):
I paid over $100K for a car with VERY high QC - it still needs repairs on occasion. Just the way things are..... (s#@! breaks)
If you have electronics repair skills - have at it (the cleaning tip above).
Or, send it in and have it repaired right - jonwienke may also be an option. (unidenscanners.com)
One note (iMONITOR):
I paid over $100K for a car with VERY high QC - it still needs repairs on occasion. Just the way things are..... (s#@! breaks)
I realize that but I've been buying scanners made my Uniden (and others) for well over 50 years and never recall any of them having the numerous factory defects,, and required repairs that they have in recent years. Uniden appears disinterested in being proactive in their approach to resolve them. I'm talking about manufacturing defects, not usual problems from normal wear and tear.
Granted scanners are much more complicated than they used but that doesn't excused their negligence or attitude.
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Not sure who has the attitude. Like all other companies, Uniden has had to follow the mandated covid protocols for over a year. You don't take a radio repair operation and fix the radios "remotely", you do the best you can with what you are allowed to do. As to manufacturing defects, I don't know of a production line that doesn't have them. Uniden, like every other company, is in business to make a profit. They have to balance production costs vs profits vs end user pricing. I have no idea what it would cost to put each radio a 24hr quality test before packing and shipping, but I can guarantee you that the retail cost would increase.
If you want a commercial quality radio, don't buy a hobbyist quality radio. It'll cost you 3 or 4 times as much, but will likely work forever.
Just sayin
If you want a commercial quality radio, don't buy a hobbyist quality radio. It'll cost you 3 or 4 times as much, but will likely work forever.
Just sayin
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If this is the "J401 issue" as was suggested that has already been addressed.
Yes, pots get dirty. That is not a defect.
Yes, the SDS100 costs around $650. Keep in mind this is a one-of-a-kind, major new scanner design that solves simulcast
issues and adds many new features. If you want a less expensive scanner the BCD436HP is a current production product.
If that cost is still too high there is the BCD325P2. Each level downward provides an older, more proven design.
It's not easy to innovate without changing things.
If you really want a proven simulcast-ready unit, there is the Motorola APX line.
Get ready for sticker shock if you think $650 is a lot. (and yes - they break, too)
Yes, pots get dirty. That is not a defect.
Yes, the SDS100 costs around $650. Keep in mind this is a one-of-a-kind, major new scanner design that solves simulcast
issues and adds many new features. If you want a less expensive scanner the BCD436HP is a current production product.
If that cost is still too high there is the BCD325P2. Each level downward provides an older, more proven design.
It's not easy to innovate without changing things.
If you really want a proven simulcast-ready unit, there is the Motorola APX line.
Get ready for sticker shock if you think $650 is a lot. (and yes - they break, too)
I squeezed it like you said and I didn't notice a constant change, at some point I was able to scroll through a menu, but at others it just jumps 4 menu options. I will look into cleaning it, or just getting it serviced by Uniden. Thanks for the replies!
wtp
Member
my 396T does that also, but it is around 14 years old and has been dropped on the knob twice.
i have learned to live with it, it keeps programming fun.
but you should not have that problem, get it fixed.
i have learned to live with it, it keeps programming fun.
but you should not have that problem, get it fixed.
KB7MIB
Member
I've had this rotary knob problem for months now myself. It's quite annoying. Mine is just over two years old. I tended to spin the knob quickly, so that may have been an issue.
How easy is it to disassemble to get some contact cleaner into the pot? Or can that be done without disassembling it, but just squirting the contact cleaner in below the knob itself, since it isn't flush to the top of the case? (And never having bought contact cleaner before, where can I buy it? I'd prefer to buy in person locally, rather than online.)
Otherwise, how do I contact Uniden to arrange to send it in for repair? I purchased from Scannermaster.
John
Peoria, AZ
How easy is it to disassemble to get some contact cleaner into the pot? Or can that be done without disassembling it, but just squirting the contact cleaner in below the knob itself, since it isn't flush to the top of the case? (And never having bought contact cleaner before, where can I buy it? I'd prefer to buy in person locally, rather than online.)
Otherwise, how do I contact Uniden to arrange to send it in for repair? I purchased from Scannermaster.
John
Peoria, AZ
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I too have had the problem with the 100 and I'm able to live with it, just an annoyance, it seems like it is the rotary knob itself. I noticed that it doesn't occur, and works properly for a few rotations and then it'll go through a period where it's all over the place and hard to control and then it will become normal again, when you're in that rotation area that it's out of control it really is out of control.
If it means anything this was always a common problem on one of my bcd536 radios, same exact symptoms.
If it means anything this was always a common problem on one of my bcd536 radios, same exact symptoms.
I must of missed something in the 1st post. What "knob"???
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The SDS100 only has one knob…. The scroll knob.
ecollins11
Member
Could be a bad encoder may have to replace it.. The contacts in the encoder most likely are bad from use...
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I would bet it's a dirt between the encoder and decoder. Try post #13 with the unit off.
It is possible to wear them out, too.
It is possible to wear them out, too.
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