SDS 100 needs to warm up

[n6qgk]

I bought a used SDS100 and loaded it from my BCD436HP's data file. The '100 doesn't receive anything until it's been on for between 10-20 minutes and then coverage is much worse than the '436. Channels are standard and P25. I am thinking that there is a bad component, but looking for other ideas.

 

[ecarvalho]

Sounds like a bad unit. Mine works cold right after FL is loaded on power-on


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[relay99]

The unit should not need to warm up. Make sure when downloading data files from Sentinel that your target device is set for the scanner to which you are downloading too. I believe I saw somewhere where the files between the two scanners are slightly different and I have found myself crossing favorites list between the two and mixing up a lot of my settings and have downloaded files to the wrong radio. Or......you just may have a problem

 

[UnidenSupport]

It sounds like a hardware issue to me, definitely update the firmware and make sure you have the proper target scanner, but I suspect a trip to the repair department is in order.

 

[kd2pm]

When I received my SDS, I just took the 436 profile and lists and pushed it to the SDS. I experienced similar issues where things just didnt run right. So I cleared out the SDS and created a new profile and making sure it was set up as SDS and not X36HP. Then I loaded the favorites and it ran better but still not 100%. There are slight variations between the 2 models obviously when it comes to hardware and I also have to believe that the files also deviate a little between the 2 radios in how they are applied.

 

[phask]

When I received my SDS, I just took the 436 profile and lists and pushed it to the SDS. I experienced similar issues where things just didnt run right. So I cleared out the SDS and created a new profile and making sure it was set up as SDS and not X36HP. Then I loaded the favorites and it ran better but still not 100%. There are slight variations between the 2 models obviously when it comes to hardware and I also have to believe that the files also deviate a little between the 2 radios in how they are applied.

They don't at all - in fact not changing the target model affects nothing but visual details SDS has no AGC or threshold settings, but it just ignores it

SDS into 536 will affect the display and turn off unit ID.

I run the same fav. lists in everything, I do have separate profiles. However, when they were first released I ran 1 profile for a few months in everything.

 

[racing1]

Maybe you should call uniden tech support and they can point you in the right direction. 800-297-1023.

 

[kd2pm]

They don't at all - in fact not changing the target model affects nothing but visual details SDS has no AGC or threshold settings, but it just ignores it

SDS into 536 will affect the display and turn off unit ID.

I run the same fav. lists in everything, I do have separate profiles. However, when they were first released I ran 1 profile for a few months in everything.

Thats what I would have thought as well. When I got the SDS the 1st question I asked on the forums was whether I could migrate directly from the 436 to the SDS. All agreed that should not be a problem. My experience didnt pan out as I had anticipated. So for me and my SDS, clearing out the SDS of the 436HP data and creating a new profile specifically for SDS and then importing from the master DB solved my problems of not receiving audio or not scanning channels or talkgroups properly.

 

[relay99]

What happened to the OP ??
Is your issue solved?? Did you try anyone's suggestions??

 

[n6qgk]

HI All,

TL;DR: It's my location. It turns out that I am in a reception desert and I have ordered a discone antenna to mount on my ham mast. I guess that makes sense since I have zero coverage from Verizon and Sprint, and one bar for T-Mob and AT&T.

Details:
I work for a local agency and my scanner was programmed by the radio shop supervisor. I took it to the shop and he showed me how to use the Analyze function: Menu->Analyze->System Status->press the Multifunction scroll to display a list of systems, then scroll to choose a site.

At the shop all 3 bars (S=Signal Strength, Q=Decode Quality and A=System Activity) were pegged on the simulcast channel. At my house, S varies from 1-10% and the other two don't move. Same with the "fill-in" repeaters. After a while, apparently the propagation changes, my scanner finally locks in to a county control channel, and away we go. (hence the "warm up" period.)

I Analyzed the other trunk systems and "S" never moves. I'll assume that I cannot receive any of the conventional systems for the same reason that I cannot receive the trunked systems.

So in summary, someone could have recommended that I try using the Analyze function. The radio supervisor thinks the '436 is just better at picking up marginal signals than the '100. Something about how the '100 constantly is playing with the IF, so it never really stabilizes (not sure this is true, but I don't have enough knowledge to question him).

Since I sold the '436 to buy the '100, I never had them side by side to play so I have no idea what S/Q/A looked like on it.

 

[phask]

HI All,

TL;DR: It's my location. It turns out that I am in a reception desert and I have ordered a discone antenna to mount on my ham mast. I guess that makes sense since I have zero coverage from Verizon and Sprint, and one bar for T-Mob and AT&T.

Details:
I work for a local agency and my scanner was programmed by the radio shop supervisor. I took it to the shop and he showed me how to use the Analyze function: Menu->Analyze->System Status->press the Multifunction scroll to display a list of systems, then scroll to choose a site.
mmary, someone could have recommended that I try using the Analyze function. The radio supervisor thinks the '436 is just better at picking up marginal signals than the '100. Something about how the '100 constantly is playing with the IF, so it never really stabilizes (not sure this is true, but I don't have enough knowledge to question him).

Since I sold the '436 to buy the '100, I never had them side by side to play so I have no idea what S/Q/A looked like on it.

Analyze is one of the best features to find problems like that, also one of the least used. Be even better with RSSI values on the screen

 

[racing1]

Analyze is one of the best features to find problems like that, also one of the least used. Be even better with RSSI values on the screen

So when it comes to all the testing measures involved such as RSSI, digital decode error rate,and the S Q A,which one(s) should I make more concerned about when it comes to my scanner working its best and which one(s) can I ignore? Also can you explain what each one does?

 

[phask]

Signal strength (S) is #1, but decode quality (Q) is required as well. A is just activity - IMHO not much use, but might be if trying to see how active.

Easy to use to verify NAC as well. Page 45/46 in the SDS manual might explain better than me

 

[marksmith]

I bought a used SDS100 and loaded it from my BCD436HP's data file.

This is what I did. All I did was change the target radio to SDS100. Then I did a push to the radio with my 436/536 data favorites lists. Fired it up and immediately and ever since has worked great. There is no difference in the frequency data between the 536/436 and SDS100. The only differences with regard to target radio are all the display colors setup etc. If you target the SDS100 with 436 in Sentinel, all it will do is screw up whatever screen colors you had set up in the SDS100.

So my guess is you have a hardware issue with an SDS100 that needs to "warm up".