SDS100/SDS200: Mini USB Input Front Panel Not Working?

[Ishmole]

Anyone find a work around for this? The connector does not work with many different cables. It used to work intermittently, but now not at all. To program, I have to pull the SD out and put it in my BC 536, but now I need to upgrade the firmware.
I'd hate to have to send this great radio back to Uniden for repair.
The connector on the radio is definitely bad. It is not the card or the cable, and I have tried all other fixes.

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

I need to upgrade the firmware.

Well... you don't NEED to... Doesn't appear to be anything groundbreaking the new fw addresses IMO...

 

[gary123]

Check for dirt and fluff in the connector. I have found that the connector is loose fitting from the start. Use a small plastic toothpick and some rubbing alcohol to clean the connector.

 

[nessnet]

If you can find where to download it, you can put the firmware onto the SD card (BCDx36HP/firmware) and update that way.

Or, off to Uniden repair it goes.

 

[dave3825]

Anyone find a work around for this? The connector does not work with many different cables.

It used to work intermittently, but now not at all.

For programming, use LAN cable and get @ProScan.


For firmware updates, get a card reader and,

If you can find where to download it, you can put the firmware onto the SD card (BCDx36HP/firmware) and update that way.

To address the connector, google usb mini or micro usb loose fix (whichever it is) and watch some of the videos. Make sure radio is off and no power going to it at all.

I have only used that port 2 times in the 3 years I have had mine. Using LAN takes away the normal wear factor on that port. Mine is still as tight as day I got it.

 

[tzukows]

I have found the port on my laptop to be finicky sometimes.
It is a cheap Windows 11 I bought new, but it is not high-powered with lots of RAM or HD space.
I think sometimes, I am not patient enough and the laptop takes longer than I think it should in detecting the connection.

Instead of standard USB to mini-USB, I tired a USB-C from laptop port to mini-USB at the scanner. That worked for me. Seemed a little slower, but it worked.

 

[mule1075]

Anyone find a work around for this? The connector does not work with many different cables. It used to work intermittently, but now not at all. To program, I have to pull the SD out and put it in my BC 536, but now I need to upgrade the firmware.
I'd hate to have to send this great radio back to Uniden for repair.
The connector on the radio is definitely bad. It is not the card or the cable, and I have tried all other fixes.

With many different cables? Why are you not using the one supplied?

 

[mule1075]

Well... you don't NEED to... Doesn't appear to be anything groundbreaking the new fw addresses IMO...

Not groundbreaking OK. But that is not a solution to the problem the poster is describing.

 

[tzukows]

I thought it might have been something I screwed up with the regular USB port while using the Serial mode running virtual mode on the computer. But then it was fine when using the other cable going to the SDS100. So not likely a port issue after all.

 

[RandyKuff]

Anyone find a work around for this? The connector does not work with many different cables. It used to work intermittently, but now not at all. To program, I have to pull the SD out and put it in my BC 536, but now I need to upgrade the firmware.
I'd hate to have to send this great radio back to Uniden for repair.
The connector on the radio is definitely bad. It is not the card or the cable, and I have tried all other fixes.

If you have an external Micro SD Card reader (If not then get one, they are cheap enough) plug the SD card in the reader and then computer...
Open Sentinel and It will show just like your SDS in Mass Storage Mode...
Update the firmware... Unmount the the card and plug it back in the scanner... It will update the firmware when the scanner is turned back on...

This will work for the HP-1/2 the X36's and the SDS scanners...
You can also do your fav list programing etc just as if the scanner itself is connected to the computer...
When these scanners are connected in Mass Storage Mode to the computer they just look like a very expensive external card reader...


This is what I'm using...

https://www.amazon.com/UGREEN-Reader-Adapter-Support-Aluminum/dp/B08CS788Q8/ref=sr_1_21

 

[sallen07]

With many different cables? Why are you not using the one supplied?

There is nothing special about the OEM cable; it's just a standard mini USB cable. It could certainly have been damaged at some point and no longer work and trying different cables is a standard troubleshooting technique. The only caveat is that you have to make sure the cable you are using is not a charge-only cable.

I have many mini USB cables lying around. No idea which one was the original.

 

[kudzu_kid]

Just FWIW, in my experience not all USB cables are created equal. Not all pass data equally well or even AT ALL. Some are strictly charging cables (power only, no data). Beware of the C-store 99¢ checkout count specials... i.e.: there's a difference between those and a $4.00-$8.00 Anker cable. Clean your USB port. If that still fails, I'd consider sending it back to Uniden or wherever you got it (if it's still under warranty), otherwise, I'd probably only send it to Uniden. Though, truthfully, resoldering a new port isn't beyond the skillset of many here.

 

[n1chu]

I have a couple of SDS200’s. I have found the front programming port to be a bit sloppy, fit-wise, and am always conscious of it when I’m doing an update. If I don’t see the SDS200 drive appear on my computer I re-seat the plug. (I leave the programming cable permanently plugged in as a dust cover and tucked away. I’d love to find a dust cover for the RJ jack socket also but haven’t come across one as yet.) the SD Card socket is also a bit questionable but so far it’s clicking in and out without issue. But I am still a bit Leary of its operation to the point once the SD Card is inserted, it stays put! … it looking for any trouble.

 

[RandyKuff]

I’d love to find a dust cover for the RJ jack socket also but haven’t come across one as yet.

https://www.amazon.com/Silicone-Ethernet-Anti-Dust-Protector-Computer/dp/B08QVKXWG5/ref=sr_1_8

 

[dave3825]

There is nothing special about the OEM cable; it's just a standard mini USB cable.

The only caveat is that you have to make sure the cable you are using is not a charge-only cable.

Actually, there is. The cable supplied with the scanner is able to perform the tasks at hand. Cheap amazon garbage will not.

Like mentioned, they are not the same. I have power and data cables that work fine with other items but do not work with my 200. Same with my 436. Have cables that charge digital cams and transfer pics without issue but wont throw the 436 into MSM.

Just FWIW, in my experience not all USB cables are created equal. Not all pass data equally well or even AT ALL.

 

[sallen07]

There is nothing special about the cable that comes in the box. Any quality data and charge USB cable will work just fine. If you have cables that work with other devices but not your SDS200 then there is something not right with those cables.

As has been recommended here on RR (more than once) I purchased a 90 degree connector mini cable for my 536 and 90 degree micro cables for my SDS200s. Guess where I bought them from? Amazon. (Gasp!!) But they are a good brand, not bottom-of-the-barrel 99 cent junk.

As a counter point, I had the Uniden OEM cable for my SDS100 go bad and ended up throwing it away and using another mini USB cable that came from ... who knows where. Works great.

Cheap garbage cables will not work, that is correct. But the implication that "only the cable that came with the scanner will work" is wrong.

 

[RandyKuff]

Not one of my scanners are using the OEM cables...
One is from an old Garmin GPS...
The other ones are from Monoprice, bought from Amazon...
No problems at all with data or charging...

https://www.amazon.com/Monoprice-6-Feet-Mini-B-Ferrite-104931/dp/B004AOM0KK/ref=sr_1_3