Yeah, no. It’s completely deaf on anything digital trunking wise. All the same problems the first two new units had.
SDS100/SDS200: SDS-100 not picking up anything digital
- Thread starter Atlanta97
- Start date
Yeah, no. It’s completely deaf on anything digital trunking wise. All the same problems the first two new units had.
So, both my sds100’s were working as normal. I left my house with the new device and noticed yet again my local repeater is showing 88 - 100+ dbm, right next to the tower. when messing with the antenna it will sometimes go to 50.
I drove up the road and the system is no signal at all.
Analog is fine.
No I read it wrong. They listed the prior service on the repair slip
So I have the antenna installed quite lose into the receiver and the signal is now excellent and working normal. Fully installing the antenna is what seems to be causing low signal. This seems to be a defect of these newer releases.
Oh, OK. But still, it appears that you now have a replacement scanner that works properly and the unit sent in for service works on analog.
Actually no it doesn’t work properly. I have updated it
When I first got the unit it was working like normal. I left my house and noticed the same issue was occurring. I’m noticing that keeping the connection between the antenna and receiver in a loose manner fixes this. this is a defect. It’s getting lower performance with a fully installed antenna. (Nice and tightly secure inside the receiver like normal).
What you are doing is not making contact with the center conductor causing the signal to be attenuated or something is binding on the antenna port to motherboard
Antenna connection is a weak point on the sds100. If you slightly over tighten or if it tips over and bumps antenna, the whimpy solder joint breaks. I have fixed my way out of warranty 100 multiple times to resolder.
Sounds similar to the OPs issue. When the joint breaks and still has a contact, the signal is very weak. Eventually it comes completely apart and it goes DEEF.
The design is less than impressive...
And to add to his loosen tighten scenario. Exactly as I have experienced. Loosen and maybe wiggle it a bit and hold your tongue just right, BINGO, it hears. Eventually though, nothing due to no solder contact.
Sounds similar to the OPs issue. When the joint breaks and still has a contact, the signal is very weak. Eventually it comes completely apart and it goes DEEF.
The design is less than impressive...
And to add to his loosen tighten scenario. Exactly as I have experienced. Loosen and maybe wiggle it a bit and hold your tongue just right, BINGO, it hears. Eventually though, nothing due to no solder contact.
Last edited:
Good lord. I don’t know if I completely overturned it. I did it up until it JUST stopped wanting to go any tighter.
Analog and conventional channel performance is normal, it’s just digital trunking sites that aren’t working properly. This is what’s odd.
My OG sds100 has never had any issues.
That is peculiar about analog. Maybe it's a strong signal than the digital...?
If it stops altogether, I would suspect the solder joint. Especially since it's been an issue with 2 different units.
It doesn't take much to twist the connection and break the solder. As matter of fact, I'm on my last repair with the jack that is in there. Will got another at some point and completly replace.
Wish I had a picture to show. It's such a weak point....
I might just open it up tonight for "show and tell". Stand by.....
tvengr
Well Known Member
If analog works OK, it doesn't sound like an antenna problem. Try using the Wide Invert filter on the sites.
i have just done this for both. At this moment that seems to have helped. I am indoors and will test this further when I leave later tonight so standby.
Both radios were on global by default.
This is the culprit I have had with mine. The first time I opened it up there was hardly any solder. That was due to giving it a snug and twisted the jack. Not sure how many times since I have repaired. I have knocked it over accidentally and same thing, solder breaks. They are fairly delicate. I really gooped it on this last time.
Attachments
Honestly I think that fixed it.
tvengr
Well Known Member
It is quite possible that you were getting interference from some nearby transmitters. That can desensitize the receiver and also cause intermod problems. The filters are there for that reason. I have often had good results using the Wide Invert filter on sites with 700 MHz frequencies.
That’s what it looks like.
and I never had interference with my old one.
The wide filter is working enough outdoors. but this unit absolutely hates terrain and buildings is what I’m noticing.
So it looks like it’s quite susceptible to interferences of all forms.
A friend noted it’s doing the exact opposite of “improved digital performance in weak simulcast areas”
and I never had interference with my old one.
The wide filter is working enough outdoors. but this unit absolutely hates terrain and buildings is what I’m noticing.
So it looks like it’s quite susceptible to interferences of all forms.
A friend noted it’s doing the exact opposite of “improved digital performance in weak simulcast areas”
That’s what it looks like.
Mine are all 800 MHz
The wide filter is working enough outdoors. but this unit absolutely hates terrain and buildings is what I’m noticing.
So it looks like it’s quite susceptible to interferences of all forms.
A friend noted it’s doing the exact opposite of “improved digital performance in weak simulcast areas”
tvengr
Well Known Member
Try the other filters to see which work best at your location. The selection of a filter will vary with your environment. I would stay away from the Auto filters.
Similar threads
SDS100/SDS200:
Where should I buy an SDS-100?
SDS100/SDS200:
SDS200 Tone out question
