SDS100/SDS200: Scanner Purchase, please help

[goldmyne99]

Might be worth a phone call to them. Good luck in your search.

 

[omlbed]

I did actually. Kinda funny. I go through the order process, checkout but without having to select shipping options or payment and then I get this email with a TBD shipping charge and note saying they'd get back to me to complete the order.

Like WTF??? why is this so ridiculous. I'm about to give up and just get the freaking BCD436. LOL

According to HRO's website you have to call/fax them on international orders. Check this page out:
Ham Radio Outlet General Information
Good luck!!!

 

[ludek-brno]

Don't be crazy! I'm from CZ and I would never buy the EU version of x36 and SDS scanners!
AVERA has no fw support at all and the US Uniden at least promises support through JB. They have released 2 useless firmware for BCD996P2 / 325P2 in almost 3 years.

 

[n1chu]

What would they come out with? Do they need something else they can't get chips for? Their radios already give us just about everything we're entitled to listen to.

“What would they chime out with?” Good question. Check the another Uniden groups here on RR. One of them is a forum that, among other things, encourages future “wants” in a scanner. With estimates of around another year before the microchip and supply lines start showing some signs of normalcy, Uniden may very well be considering dedicating any limited supply into a newer model, in an effort to beat the competition.

Currently, 70-75% of the chips are made overseas. But there are two additional manufacturing facilities being built stateside, one by Texas Instruments and the other by the mega manufacturing firm in Taiwan. These facilities will take a couple of years to complete, but they are coming. (The Taiwan firm is building in the US at a cost of billions of dollars to protect ownership should the Chinese govt. nationalize their company in Taiwan. There is worldwide opposition to the Chinese doing this, with threatened tariffs on Chinese products, but it appears the Taiwan firm is not taking any chances.) …interesting to note originally, the majority of all microchips were produced in the US. And most all were in agreement competition from offshore firms would reduce the overall costs, cheaper labor rates being the primary cost saver… granted, it’s a global economy but I bet there are those who wish they could have a “do-over” on allowing that to happen. Just sayin…

 

[fredva]

Regarding the comments about the SDS series being over 3 years old - Uniden's product manager who led scanner development passed away after the SDS series was released. While I wouldn't claim to know what is going on internal to the company, it wouldn't be a surprise if any new development took longer than normal. There's also the question of whether it would make sense to announce a new product if you wouldn't be able to fill orders due to supply chain problems.

Do you have P25 simulcast in your area, or plan to travel to an area that does? If not, the 436hp would not necessarily be a bad choice. The one downside I can think of at the moment (besides simulcast) is that the display is not as good as the SDS.

 

[KK4JUG]

Do you know anyone south of the border who would receive a package for you?

 

[Ubbe]

There's lots of companies offering US post addresses to ship to that then handle the customs declaration and import fees when shipping it to another country.

/Ubbe

 

[CocoaBeWhere]

Thanks all for the info. FYI I do not know anyone in the US to ship to unfortunately however I am about to pull the trigger on a rig from HamRadio.com because their shipping rates are reasonable.

Can anyone chime in if these guys are NOT a reputable online seller?

 

[sallen07]

Can anyone chime in if these guys are NOT a reputable online seller?

HRO is one of the most respected ham radio dealers, and has a dozen brick-and-mortar stores as well as doing online sales. As a matter of fact, your order will be fulfilled by one of the stores.

 

[MStep]

I did actually. Kinda funny. I go through the order process, checkout but without having to select shipping options or payment and then I get this email with a TBD shipping charge and note saying they'd get back to me to complete the order.

Like WTF??? why is this so ridiculous. I'm about to give up and just get the freaking BCD436. LOL

During the past several years, there have been numerous times when the SDS series have been "out of stock" for weeks (or perhaps a month) at a time. Aside from the issues with simulcast reception having been worked out on the SDS radios, one of the other advantages of the SDS is the "pretty face" (display). As they say, patience is a virtue. But I have found the x36 series to be very capable receivers, and some of my friends who also have both feel the x36 is better than the SDS series. All the usual disclaimers: FWIW, YMMV, etc.

 

[CocoaBeWhere]

Yeah I have to say that the display on the SDS drew me in. Simulcast and a few other features like the IPX4 rating sets it apart.

Just waiting for the HRO order to get finalized. Fingers crossed!

 

[MStep]

Yeah I have to say that the display on the SDS drew me in. Simulcast and a few other features like the IPX4 rating sets it apart.

Just waiting for the HRO order to get finalized. Fingers crossed!

I know the feeling. I think you will be happy that you waited. Hopefully you have a few other radios that can keep you occupied in the meantime. I just ordered the ATS-25 shortwave receiver from a dealer through Amazon. That's about a six to eight week wait as the radio is literally on a "slow boat from China". But please keep us posted on the progress of your order.

In the meantime, if you are not already familiar with it, you can always download and play with the Uniden Sentinel program

 

[brumey]

HRO is one of the most respected ham radio dealers, and has a dozen brick-and-mortar stores as well as doing online sales. As a matter of fact, your order will be fulfilled by one of the stores.

As stated - HRO Hame Radio Outlet are one of the best available in the US.

 

[CocoaBeWhere]

In the meantime, if you are not already familiar with it, you can always download and play with the Uniden Sentinel program

Thanks man. Much appreciated. Good luck with your shortwave rig.

 

[natedawg1604]

....
With estimates of around another year before the microchip and supply lines start showing some signs of normalcy, Uniden may very well be considering dedicating any limited supply into a newer model, in an effort to beat the competition.
....

The sad thing is there is currently NO competitor to the SDS. None, zero, zilch. Maybe if Unication releases the alleged scanner they are allegedly working on, that would be a competing product.

But I would seriously wonder if they have any incentive to release something better than the SDS, that would compete with themselves.

 

[haimgil]

SDS100 is an FCC approved, supports 758-824MHz and 894-960MHz ranges and doesn`t support 824-849MHz, 849-869MHz ranges.

SDS100E is an EU approved, supports 806-960MHz range and doesn`t support 758-806MHz range.

Each model runs a unique firmware version.

 

[haimgil]

SDS100 is an FCC approved, supports 758-824MHz and 894-960MHz ranges and doesn`t support 824-849MHz, 849-869MHz ranges.

SDS100E is an EU approved, supports 806-960MHz range and doesn`t support 758-806MHz range.

Each model runs a unique firmware version.

Correction:
SDS100 doesn`t support 824-849MHz, 869-894MHz ranges.

 

[JoeBearcat]

The SDS 100 is still over 3 years old though. Uniden's due for a new offering.

Maybe in 3 more years. There are new offerings coming, but not to replace the SDS series yet.

In fact, the next product likely will not replace any current model (now THERE is a teaser for you...)
[/QUOTE]

 

[KK4JUG]

Maybe in 3 more years. There are new offerings coming, but not to replace the SDS series yet.

In fact, the next product likely will not replace any current model (now THERE is a teaser for you...)

So, you're finally gonna come out with one that has a waffle maker.

 

[JoeBearcat]

Shhhh... that's supposed to be a secret. On a completely unrelated subject: What flavor syrup should we use?