SDS100/SDS200: New to scanners... what to buy?

[TheWitness34]

Hey guys. I'm looking into buying an SDS100. I was looking into the Remtronix REM-842S but it seems to be unavailable most places. I've seen a few places selling it bundled with other things such as buy one get one programming, choosing your own antenna, etc. Are there any GO TO places this forum recommends? Any accessories or must haves to improve upon the stock equipment? I plan to learn how to program it so I'll stick with sentinel or proscan. Any other help or insight would be appreciated! I'm just getting into scanners/radio's as a whole and have done a bunch of research but still a ton to learn... thanks!

 

[Ubbe]

I'm just getting into scanners/radio's as a whole and have done a bunch of research but still a ton to learn... thanks!

Do you have some sort of technical background to help you? SDS scanners are probably the most advanced and complicated scanner you can get. And it will throw you a curve ball or two that you didn't expect. I would suggest to get a second hand BCT15x or BC125 to get to know the basics with Unidens DMA scanners that do not use channel numbers or banks and not have to deal with filters and interference problems that could confuse a less experienced scanner user. It will be a $100 investment well spent before you buy a $700 scanner and will be a good supporting scanner for conventional and analog channels where SDS scanners sometimes show problematic to use.

/Ubbe

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

Welcome to the forums:
Why not start by telling us where you're from and what specific agency(ies) and/or system(s) you intend on monitoring regularly so we can get eyes on the database and make a recommendation for you? No sense in recommending an SDS100 if your area is primarily analog or the system(s) you intend on monitoring don't contain simulcast cells or if the agency(ies) you're after are primarily encrypted (which in the last case you'd be out of luck)

 

[TheWitness34]

Welcome to the forums:
Why not start by telling us where you're from and what specific agency(ies) and/or system(s) you intend on monitoring regularly so we can get eyes on the database and make a recommendation for you? No sense in recommending an SDS100 if your area is primarily analog or the system(s) you intend on monitoring don't contain simulcast cells or if the agency(ies) you're after are primarily encrypted (which in the last case you'd be out of luck)

Connecticut. Specifically Hartford, New Haven and Middlesex counties. I'm unsure of what I can listen to as i've really ever had a basic mobile scanner. Police, EMS, fire is about all i listened to back then. What else is there to listen to? I know railroad... that's about it.

 

[Omega-TI]

One of the nice features on the SDS is the record feature. Pressing FCTN & RECORD can come in handy. Oh, and digital signals sound fantastic, almost like they are in the room with you. Here is a example below...

 

[suzukigs750ez]

One of the nice features on the SDS is the record feature. Pressing FCTN & RECORD can come in handy. Oh, and digital signals sound fantastic, almost like they are in the room with you. Here is a example below...

Is sentinel fine for software or is there a better/more easily understood software?

 

[mass-man]

Is sentinel fine for software or is there a better/more easily understood software?

I've just spent a lot of time with Sentinel and once you get to know it, it isn't that hard to understand. Also I downloaded and learned(somewhat) ProScan. It does a lot of things, and apparently most of them very well, that I will probably never use. But for $50 and lifetime upgrades it sure is nice. The developer hangs out here on RR an can answer questions quickly...although most of my newbie software questions were answered by other users in a snap. You get a 30 day free use of ProScan to snoop around and learn it...not a dumbed down trial version, but the real McCoy! I recommend that.

 

[Omega-TI]

Is sentinel fine for software or is there a better/more easily understood software?

Opinions may vary, but I use ProScan 99% of the time. Like all programs, the best way to learn is to play with it and see what all the buttons do.

 

[TheWitness34]

Ok. So I think i'm going to get the remtronix REM-820S (it says it's specifically made for the SDS100). I'll skip the software for now. If i want to upgrade to DMR, NXDN & ProVoice, is it $75 from uniden as well if i were to upgrade through them? And if it's less expensive, how do I go about upgrading?

 

[suzukigs750ez]

How much is it to upgrade DMR, provoice and nxdn through Uniden and is it simple? I see most websites offer $75 to upgrade it. I think I’m going to get the nylon case, GPS and the upgrades.

 

[ka3jjz]

Before you go throwing cash around, do some homework in our database and in the site below. It's likely you won't need ProVoice, as that technology is EOL and dying out. So that leaves DMR and NXDN.

Digital Frequency Search

Find the newest frequencies for your digital radio scanner.

digitalfrequencysearch.com

We have a very extensive FAQ for these radios here. This includes some first steps you can take to learn about the scanner. In fact you can download Sentinel (free) so you can actually 'play' with it before you have the scanner

SDS100 and SDS200 FAQ Page - The RadioReference Wiki

wiki.radioreference.com

Mike

 

[smithken]

How much is it to upgrade DMR, provoice and nxdn through Uniden and is it simple? I see most websites offer $75 to upgrade it. I think I’m going to get the nylon case, GPS and the upgrades.

My experience is that the upgrades are cheaper directly from Uniden. For example right now the DMR upgrade is $60 directly from Uniden.

 

[ka3jjz]

In addition keep this portal handy in the event we don't have something that you want to hear....

Connecticut Portal - Scan New England Wiki

www.snewiki.com

Mike

 

[hiegtx]

Ok. So I think i'm going to get the remtronix REM-820S (it says it's specifically made for the SDS100). I'll skip the software for now. If i want to upgrade to DMR, NXDN & ProVoice, is it $75 from uniden as well if i were to upgrade through them? And if it's less expensive, how do I go about upgrading?

The $75 price is what some of the scanner dealers charge. Do it yourself, when and if you decide you need the upgrades, and save some money. The DMR upgrade is $60 when purchased direct from Uniden. NXDN, if you wanted it, is $50. You have no ProVoice systems in your state, nor Rhode Island. There is a transit agency in MA that uses OroVoice, but apears to be out of range. There are a few counties in lower NY state, using ProVoice, but again, likely well out of range for you.

Also, for any database scanner, such as the SDS100, or other Uniden models (or Whistler), do not pay the dealer to set it up for you. They charge $60 and up (depending on dealer, & how many counties you want), and you can easily do it yourself for free in a few minutes time.

 

[suzukigs750ez]

The $75 price is what some of the scanner dealers charge. Do it yourself, when and if you decide you need the upgrades, and save some money. The DMR upgrade is $60 when purchased direct from Uniden. NXDN, if you wanted it, is $50. You have no ProVoice systems in your state, nor Rhode Island. There is a transit agency in MA that uses OroVoice, but apears to be out of range. There are a few counties in lower NY state, using ProVoice, but again, likely well out of range for you.

Also, for any database scanner, such as the SDS100, or other Uniden models (or Whistler), do not pay the dealer to set it up for you. They charge $60 and up (depending on dealer, & how many counties you want), and you can easily do it yourself for free in a few minutes time.

Thank you for that. So I’ll just get hardware based stuff. I haven’t fully settled on the sds100. Taking your guys advice and reading up more on it. What are the odds that something “better” comes out from uniden? Is it possible the hardware would be more “capable” in terms of receiving?

 

[StoliRaz]

One of the nice features on the SDS is the record feature. Pressing FCTN & RECORD can come in handy. Oh, and digital signals sound fantastic, almost like they are in the room with you. Here is a example below...

Those darn FedEx drivers..Sounds good, I wonder how that would compare to a 436hp and an SDR

 

[mass-man]

Thank you for that. So I’ll just get hardware based stuff. I haven’t fully settled on the sds100. Taking your guys advice and reading up more on it. What are the odds that something “better” comes out from uniden? Is it possible the hardware would be more “capable” in terms of receiving?

If we could "crystal ball" what Uniden is going to do product wise, it would be a strange new world. Historically they have held new product discussion pretty close to the vest. The SDS products are damn good and while there is always room for improvement. Most of my scanners are several years old and for what I want to do, they work! You will probably find that an additional scanner rather than something shiny and new is next on your list. You can never have too many!!!!!

 

[suzukigs750ez]

Ok, so I see antenna’s online for 700-900mhz. But I see the scanner does 25-1240mhz or something like that. Do you need multiple antenna or are there frequencies most people don’t listen to? I can’t imagine one portable antenna can pull in all those frequencies.

 

[MStep]

Ok, so I see antenna’s online for 700-900mhz. But I see the scanner does 25-1240mhz or something like that. Do you need multiple antenna or are there frequencies most people don’t listen to? I can’t imagine one portable antenna can pull in all those frequencies.

Others will likely reply with specific suggestions, but for portable use you may have to settle for one which will provide fair-good coverage across such a wide frequency range. But when I am traveling, I also carry a telescopic antenna in the event that I'm going to remain stationary for awhile and I can adjust the antenna length for specific frequency ranges. I'm also interested in hearing experiences others have had with various portable antennas.

 

[Omega-TI]

I'm also interested in hearing experiences others have had with various portable antennas.

When I go portable and take my scanner with me, I use the Remtronix 842S. When I'm at home (until I can get an external antenna installed), I use a Comet BNC-W100RX.