SDS100/SDS200: Problems since last Firmware update. 1.03.06 Sub (7/11/2024)

[buddrousa]

I know this will stir up a hornets nest but here goes.
The better the shop.
The better the tech.
The better the service monitor.
THE BETTER THE SITE SOUNDS.

 

[IAmSixNine]

This shouldnt stir up a hornets nest. Things always work better when they are properly Test Tune and Aligned. I used to love doing TTA when i worked in a radio shop.

 

[N4VKF]

I've experienced distorted audio on an SDS100 also.

I think my issues are not with the firmware but a phase 2 upgrade done by VA to STARS. I have better reception/decode with the Remtronics 842S tri band antenna.

 

[JoeBearcat]

Were any filters changed for those who experienced distortion?
(or did you try changing them to see if it was eliminated?)

 

[georgebill]

Were any filters changed for those who experienced distortion?
(or did you try changing them to see if it was eliminated?)

I made no changes before I downgraded to the previous version.

 

[Mikeyb101]

Honestly, I've just began enjoying the P25ll . The N.S.R.S. is still in the beginning phase of implementing, or migrating all local agencies to the "new and improved" digital system. Having said that as I said the R.P.D. and R.F.D. are the only agencies on the P25ll system full time. The only thing I've noticed is that dispatch comes in 5X5 (loud and clear) and the units are a bit distorted or garbled.
To answer JoeBearct's question no, no filters have been critiqued. I'm still in the beginning stages of learning all of this new system. Thank you for the reply JoeBearct! 👍

 

[DSC45]

I know this statement will sound crazy but, yesterday the distortion and wild volume control cleared up.

Now, back to great reception again!

It could be one or two repeaters went down and left us stranded!

Thanks, Dave

 

[buddrousa]

@Mikeyb101
Seeing that all use the same repeaters with Dispatch being clear I think you have users in the field not using the radios properly.
Watch this video we used it in my Fire Department before I retired to have better and more clear communications.
If you know someone on the department you might want to share the link.

Say It Loud and Clear - Two Way Radios - Motorola Solutions Video Library Update (Catalogue)

Clear communications are critical to first responders. Motorola Solutions works with the International Association of Fire Chiefs to develop best practices to maximize intelligibility and overcome background noise on portable and mobile radios.

video.motorolasolutions.com

 

[kc5igh]

Hello, everybody.

I read with fear and trepidation the reports about P25 Phase 2 signal distortion following the firmware upgrade, so I decided to lock my newly updated SDS100 on the New Mexico Statewide Digital Trunked Radio System, which is entirely Phase 2.

I'm happy to report that I haven't detected any distortion or changes in overall performance on this Phase 2 system following the firmware upgrade.

There are so many variables in the wonderful world of radio scanners that it's very often hard to tell what, if anything, is not working properly.

Happy monitoring!

-Johnnie (KC5IGH)

 

[JoeBearcat]

I made no changes before I downgraded to the previous version.

Try changing it and see if that solves it. Other people have reported it has.

 

[JoeBearcat]

I know this statement will sound crazy but, yesterday the distortion and wild volume control cleared up.

Now, back to great reception again!

It could be one or two repeaters went down and left us stranded!

Thanks, Dave

That happens a lot more than any of us would like. Of course, the scanner always gets the blame.

It could also have been interference on one of the voice channels that was causing distortion.

 

[georgebill]

Try changing it and see if that solves it. Other people have reported it has.

When I downgraded the firmware to the previous version it fixed the issue.

 

[DSC45]

That happens a lot more than any of us would like. Of course, the scanner always gets the blame.

It could also have been interference on one of the voice channels that was causing distortion.

Thanks for replying!

 

[georgebill]

There are many factors that can affect scanner reception quality. In my location in southwest Missouri, I can pick up both the Arkansas (AR) and Missouri (MO) P25 systems. The AR system performs much better than the MO system in the geographical areas I monitor, both in terms of audio quality and volume consistency. However, the latest firmware update has negatively impacted the performance of both systems. Reverting to the previous firmware version resolved the issue.

 

[scanman1958]

We're any filters changed for those who experienced distortion? Joe B.

At the time of my firmware update my SDS100 did not have 'filters' as an option. I apparently updated many updates as it was the first time I did an update. It was after the update when I started getting garbled and distorted reception on P25 Trunked Systems. I noticed that the Global Auto Filter was automatically set to Normal, if my memory is correct. I have no idea what any of the 6 filters do or why I should pick one over the other. Sounds like there are quite a few people having the same issue.

 

[Ubbe]

I have no idea what any of the 6 filters do or why I should pick one over the other. Sounds like there are quite a few people having the same issue.

No one can know what filter to use. It will always be a try and test procedure to find out if any filter will improve reception. It is that test that can be difficult to do as Uniden have not provided any easy to use evaluation function for the filter. If you select any of the two auto filter setting it will not tell you what filter it has selected as the best. So you will have to continue using auto and it will then slow down the scan rate considerable.

It was a quick fix to implement filters to improve reception when it turned out that the receiver where so easily compromised but later the number of filters increased and it became more difficult to choose the right one. Upman run out of time to perfect the filter evaluation during his last days before he past away.

/Ubbe

 

[eaf1956]

We're any filters changed for those who experienced distortion? Joe B.

At the time of my firmware update my SDS100 did not have 'filters' as an option. I apparently updated many updates as it was the first time I did an update. It was after the update when I started getting garbled and distorted reception on P25 Trunked Systems. I noticed that the Global Auto Filter was automatically set to Normal, if my memory is correct. I have no idea what any of the 6 filters do or why I should pick one over the other. Sounds like there are quite a few people having the same issue.

Maybe try turning the filters OFF

 

[devicelab]

The SDS200 was operating flawlessly before this new firmware was installed. Now, some channels have high volume and some have low distorted reception.

Has anyone else experience these problems with the latest firmware?

I haven't had any issues with either 100/200 using Phase 2 P25. Have you tried forcing the system to NFM? If using the database for your programming then it's probably set to AUTO.

 

[Mikeyb101]

I'm still learning, or experimenting, but what does "NFM" do? or what is it for?

 

[N1XDS]

I'm still learning, or experimenting, but what does "NFM" do? or what is it for?

NFM stands for Narrowband frequency modulation which is a frequency deviation of about 7.5 kHz.