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[DJ11DLN]

Out of the couple I've used, none have any of what you mention.

Nothing to see here, make your purchase folks.

So your radios are the absolute rule and everyone who has had trouble with that model is lying? Just to be clear. Inquiring minds want to know.

 

[Ubbe]

Try listening to that distant systems control channel programmed as an analog conventional frequency. Press the Channel button for hold and enter the frequency and then het Enter. Set the squelch to 0 and then poke the antenna with a plastig fork or knife or something not metallic and listen if the datasignal scratches and/or dissaperas, then you'll need to fasten that antenna connector.

Extend the antenna fully and listen to the datasignal and push the antenna down one inch at a time and pull up until you find the lenght that gives the strongest signal. Then do your usual scan and see if get any improvements (set SQ back between 2-5 and temp lock that analog frequency you entered).
You could use that analog conventional channel to check where you have best signal when you move around the scanner slightly to get the best reflection from the radiowaves. You should really get at least a magnet antenna and put in the window that would probably make a big improvement. If I try to use an antenna directly on a scanner I get swamped by interferencies that destroys most of the signals and I only get 1/10 of the systems I can hear with a roof antenna.

/Ubbe

 

[darkness975]

The magnet window antenna is a good option, but a lot of people like myself are not able to mount roof antennas where they currently live.

 

[AB4D]

Minus help from the retailer, I requested a return and refund for the scanner through Amazon because of the loose connector issue. I planned to purchase a SDS100 as well from the same place, until the lack of retail customer service made me rethink buying from them again. The retailer basically told me, sorry but contact the manufacturer for assistance. That would be acceptable to me on an item maybe a month old, but not a brand new item.

 

[weaverra]

I received my new BCD-536 today. I have a friend visiting the area, and he just happened to receive a new SDS-100. I am surprised in the performance difference between the two, as the SDS-100 seems to have a much better receiver. We were doing a bit of side by side comparison. I was using the stock telescopic antenna and he had a Remtronix REM-820S antenna on the SDS-100. The SDS-100 could receive signals the BCD-536 could not.

I live on the coast just a few miles from the NC/SC border. When trying to monitor the Horry County, SC Fire and Rescue. He was pulling in transmissions I could not even hear, with twice the signal strength. I can see the signal strength on the 536. reading about two bars, but hear nothing in the way of audio on that particular system.

The SDS-100 was receiving the same signal at four bars, and the transmission was loud and clear. Unsure if I have a defective unit or there is something I need to change in the menu.

The problem I see with this scenario is using different antennas on different radios. You are using the stock antenna for the 536HP while he was using a 3rd party antenna.

 

[AB4D]

The problem I see with this scenario is using different antennas on different radios. You are using the stock antenna for the 536HP while he was using a 3rd party antenna.

It's a moot point now, as I no longer have that particular scanner. It was returned because of the defective antenna jack. So, I am basically back where I started. I understand that whistler allegedly has a new scanner coming out, so I may wait. The complaints about the Uniden SDS100 has given me some concerns.


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