New SDS100 in hand

[hagensieker]

Got my SDS100 in hand and got it set up pretty quickly. Updated firmware and updated database. Purchased DMR upgrade and installed it.

Up and running now. I have it running next to a Linux Ubuntu 18.04 laptop running OP25. OP25 is tracking two control channels.

On the SDS100 I set it up by zip code.

My first observation is that I'm getting stuff on OP25 that I'm not getting on the scanner and vice versa and I know it is because of the difference between scan times. Many times both devices get the same calls however OP25 seems better at staying on a running conversation a little better.

I'm certain that by setting up by zip code that I am monitoring more stuff and probably more stuff than I want to monitor. And I'll work that out later. Pretty sure I can take Sentinel, set up a profile with just what I want in it.

It doesn't bother me that I'm missing anything really as I know that happens with OP25 when I have more than one control channel I'm monitoring anyway.

First impressions are that I like it and soon as I program it with Sentinel the way I want it I'm reclaiming my SDR and my laptop. Really like the scanner so. Great screen.

 

[ofd8001]

Pretty sure I can take Sentinel, set up a profile with just what I want in it.

A couple of terminology things. If you are looking to create a customized scanlist of just those systems and agencies you are interested in, that is called a "Favorites List". You can have any number of Favorites Lists in your scanner.


A "Profile" is the actual scanner's settings such as display options, service type selection, location settings, search parameters, weather settings and so on. You would also use this to set your Scan Selection where you'd turn the full database on or off (off for just Favorites List scanning, on for casting that big net and pulling in lots of things) and what happens with those Favorites Lists you create (Monitor On or Off, which is whether they are active), Download On or Off (sent to the scanner), Quick Keys, number tags and location control.


You can have several different profiles, but only one is loaded to the scanner. This could be helpful for different scanning scenarios. Most important thing to remember, any Favorites Lists you create are applicable/shared with all Profiles, so be very cautious about deleting a Favorites List.

 

[hagensieker]

A couple of terminology things. If you are looking to create a customized scanlist of just those systems and agencies you are interested in, that is called a "Favorites List". You can have any number of Favorites Lists in your scanner.


A "Profile" is the actual scanner's settings such as display options, service type selection, location settings, search parameters, weather settings and so on. You would also use this to set your Scan Selection where you'd turn the full database on or off (off for just Favorites List scanning, on for casting that big net and pulling in lots of things) and what happens with those Favorites Lists you create (Monitor On or Off, which is whether they are active), Download On or Off (sent to the scanner), Quick Keys, number tags and location control.


You can have several different profiles, but only one is loaded to the scanner. This could be helpful for different scanning scenarios. Most important thing to remember, any Favorites Lists you create are applicable/shared with all Profiles, so be very cautious about deleting a Favorites List.

Thanks......that's why I'm in the new guy section. Just to make sure I understand this.....

Just for simplicity lets say I'm traveling next week and I stop in Phoenix. If I just do the zip code entry it will on the fly adjust for that zip code, won't it? But of course I get everything in the full database which could be overload in a big city.

I won't be traveling with a windows computer so I won't be able to program anything on the road.

However, if today I made a favorites list for Phoenix and Yuma then I could load them and listen to what I hand picked without needing software I think, and of course I can adjust the zip code and live with the overload.

For example I'd like to listen to Border Patrol in Yuma and I want to hear the airport workers losing baggage on DMR. So I make favorites for those.

I can see there is a little learning curve but this is easier than programming a DMR ham radio.

Thanks for taking the time to help!

 

[UPMan]

You can also leave location control turned on for the FLs you create and turn off the main dB when you get to Phoenix/Yuma. The systems in those FLs will still be controlled by your location setting.

Also, if you limit the types of services to be scanned (i.e. Law Dispatch, EMS Dispatch, etc and turn off Business, Ham, etc) it will greatly reduce the number of things being scanned from the main dB. I seldom scan from a FL when out of town. I don't know enough about Louisville, KY to make an intelligent choice on TGs. Well, and I'm lazy...the main dB works well enough and if it over selects, it is quite easy to hit AVOID occasionally.

 

[hagensieker]

You can also leave location control turned on for the FLs you create and turn off the main dB when you get to Phoenix/Yuma. The systems in those FLs will still be controlled by your location setting.

Also, if you limit the types of services to be scanned (i.e. Law Dispatch, EMS Dispatch, etc and turn off Business, Ham, etc) it will greatly reduce the number of things being scanned from the main dB. I seldom scan from a FL when out of town. I don't know enough about Louisville, KY to make an intelligent choice on TGs. Well, and I'm lazy...the main dB works well enough and if it over selects, it is quite easy to hit AVOID occasionally.

Your timing is impeccable. I had just figured out there were a lot of services on from the zip code database load I didn't care about. And I've hit the avoid key on the Environmental stuff that keeps slipping through somehow or another.

This is a lot easier than OP25 although I've finally figured it out pretty well also.

Love the screen on this thing I have crummy 55 year old man eyes and I can see and read this screen from several feet away. Liking this scanner more as I'm getting used to it.

 

[ofd8001]

Typically I scan the full database when I'm on the road using the zip code for where I am. Only if it's a regular destination that I often visit will I take the time to create a Favorites List for the reason Upman mentioned. There are a lot of nuances to local systems.



Sometimes I'll reach out to fellow RR folks to see if they have a local FL there are will to share with me. That has been very helpful.

 

[hagensieker]

Really digging into this thing now. Found the beta firmware and loaded it. I haven't had this long enough to be able to compare whether it is an improvement or not. Seems to be working fine.

Only issue is that I'm missing a little traffic but again I think that is because I have the scanner searching more services than my OP25 computer rig. I'm almost positive that if I programmed the SDS100 to follow just what the OP25 rig is tracking then it would be a moot point.

I just need to listen for a few days to acquaint myself better with how this thing operates, then I'll start shutting stuff down. I enjoy listening to everything but at the end of the day the things that interest me most are just police and corrections.

How often does the Database get updated? I think I recall reading somewhere it is weekly.

 

[jonwienke]

Typically on Monday mornings.