SDS100/SDS200: Reduced reception after dropping unit (accidentally).

[tampatracker]

Hello all, I just wanted to put this out there. We all probably know that dropping a scanner is not a good idea, but I admit it has happened to me on more than one occasion, with both 436's and my SDS100. I also have been one of the unlucky ones who have had to send the SDS100 into Uniden multiple times (x2). The first fix was the infamous cold solder joint which worked ok for about a week, and the second Uniden just replaced it with a brand new scanner, twice. I know that the SDS100 is notorious for performance going south in a big way, sometimes very rapidly, and for those of us to whom this has happened to did your unit get dropped before this happened?

 

[radio3353]

Just so we are clear in case this is where you are going with this, dropping a unit does not cause a cold solder joint. Insufficient heat at manufacture causes a cold solder joint (hence the term.) Dropping a unit with a cold solder joint could lead to premature failure of said cold solder joint.

 

[tvengr]

Dropping a scanner will often break the connection to the antenna connector or crack the printed circuit board.

 

[maus92]

Yea, don't drop these radios - they are not rugged (but neither is my iPhone.) . Weird, but I've had my SDS100 from the very beginning, and still performs great. But then again, I've only knocked it from the table once.

 

[jonwienke]

I've knocked mine off a table a couple times, with no ill effects. Carpeted floor, though.

 

[xusmarine1979]

So is this the famous cold solder joint issue, the antenna connector? I had hopeful thinking, mine was doing great after coming back from Uniden then Saturday sure enough it started it again. Never dropped mine, however it's used daily.

 

[Nasby]

So is this the famous cold solder joint issue, the antenna connector? I had hopeful thinking, mine was doing great after coming back from Uniden then Saturday sure enough it started it again. Never dropped mine, however it's used daily.

Sure sounds like it. It usually takes a week after the first so-called "repair" for the symptoms to show up again.
At which time you will receive nothing and your scanner will need a return trip to Uniden.
Pathetic!

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

I've knocked mine off a table a couple times, with no ill effects. Carpeted floor, though.

I never have but my cats sure do

 

[xusmarine1979]

Sure sounds like it. It usually takes a week after the first so-called "repair" for the symptoms to show up again.
At which time you will receive nothing and your scanner will need a return trip to Uniden.
Pathetic!

Yeah I'm seriously not too thrilled.

 

[kruser]

So is this the famous cold solder joint issue, the antenna connector?

I don't think it is.
Uniden repair usually references CN301 on peoples repair tickets when a cold solder joint is involved.
CN301 is a small but dense multiple contact connector that connects the logic and RF boards together. I've never tried counting the closely spaced contacts but my guess is that it has 30+ contacts in the connector.

If the solder point at the antenna jack has broken, that is likely caused from physical pressure or stress and not a cold solder joint.

 

[Alain]

Hi All, As a ham radio op, I have seen a lot of h/t's fall from belt loops, counter and table tops and vests. In a hurry, it's unavoidable. However, in the comfort of our homes, it is an avoidable consequence. Some years ago, here in San Diego, I went into a Big Lots store. I always head for their electronics area. One day, I found something called, "Where's The Remote", in the $1.00 pile. I bought 3 of these. I've looked in Google Images, but cannot find one like this. I've made one similar for other radios from MDF [medium density fiberboard] that works very well also. Hope this helps. Vry 73 de Alain.

 

[Alain]

Hi All, As a ham radio op, I have seen a lot of h/t's fall from belt loops, counter and table tops and vests. In a hurry, it's unavoidable. However, in the comfort of our homes, it is an avoidable consequence. Some years ago, here in San Diego, I went into a Big Lots store. I always head for their electronics area. One day, I found something called, "Where's The Remote", in the $1.00 pile. I bought 3 of these. I've looked in Google Images, but cannot find one like this. I've made one similar for other radios from MDF [medium density fiberboard] that work very well also. Notice the adhesive-sided foam on the interior of the cradle. It help to cushion the radio snugly, keeping it from getting scratched too.
Hope this helps. Vry 73 de Alain.

 

[xusmarine1979]

I don't think it is.
Uniden repair usually references CN301 on peoples repair tickets when a cold solder joint is involved.
CN301 is a small but dense multiple contact connector that connects the logic and RF boards together. I've never tried counting the closely spaced contacts but my guess is that it has 30+ contacts in the connector.

If the solder point at the antenna jack has broken, that is likely caused from physical pressure or stress and not a cold solder joint.

Yeah that's a good point. If it wasn't such a good radio otherwise I'd sell it. But when it is working it just performs flawless. So I'm curious what their response will be.

 

[tampatracker]

When I wrote this I was thinking more along the lines of what an impact might have on the "Software" defined radio side of the reception/sensitivity side of the equation, not so much the CSJ issue which is a result of temperature fluctuations inside the radio.

 

[fourgres]

I left my GRE 500 on top of the car and drove off, later realizing I did not have it. Searched for a hour and found it in the middle of one of the bustiest intersections near O'Hare Airport. Battery cover was smashed, but the scanner was intact. Replaced the cover and the scanner works until today. Several years later. Not even a scratch on it. Go figure my good luck. Remember the C.A.R.M.A. picnic

 

[dvendt]

Do you guys think that if they used good ol' lead solder instead of silver there would be as much of an issue?

 

[dvendt]

I left my GRE 500 on top of the car and drove off, later realizing I did not have it. Searched for a hour and found it in the middle of one of the bustiest intersections near O'Hare Airport. Battery cover was smashed, but the scanner was intact. Replaced the cover and the scanner works until today. Several years later. Not even a scratch on it. Go figure my good luck. Remember the C.A.R.M.A. picnic

I dropped my psr 500 many times. It was finally leaky batteries thet did it in. R.I.P.

 

[jonwienke]

Do you guys think that if they used good ol' lead solder instead of silver there would be as much of an issue?

There's a reason why lead solder was so popular.

 

[xusmarine1979]

When I wrote this I was thinking more along the lines of what an impact might have on the "Software" defined radio side of the reception/sensitivity side of the equation, not so much the CSJ issue which is a result of temperature fluctuations inside the radio.

Ahh I gotchya.