Calling a SDS Scanner useless is like having a car with a clutch and manual transmission and calling it useless because you do not know how to drive a car with a manual transmission?
SDS 100 very disappointed
- Thread starter prima19rider
- Start date
The 436/536 or SDS 100/200 are a totally different scanner. You didn’t do your research on the SDS100 to know what you were getting into. Like anything new, you have to learn how to use it And program it. Anyone new should start off with zip code scanning. Gives you time to listen while you study on how to make favorites. Once you figure it out, it’s easy peasy. Just have to get off your arse and get it done!
And the HomePatrol series, too! That's an older version of these scanners. And yes, that's how I started, when learning to use my HP-2.
The HP-2 is newer than the BCDX36HP series scanners...
blackbelter
Member
- Joined
- Feb 1, 2004
- Messages
- 882
While the SDS series may not be perfect , they provide us the ability to monitor the simulcast systems. With all do respect, Lots of R&D has been spent in developing these scanners and they do deserve the time to understand the steps to operates them.
Last edited:
blackbelter
Member
- Joined
- Feb 1, 2004
- Messages
- 882
Delete please.
Best analogy ever!
- Joined
- Dec 29, 2018
- Messages
- 74
I did the best research I could, wanted to listen to the P25 I my area, some of which is simulcast. Did the which scanner is best for my area process with a couple of online vendors. Since I did not have a scanner for P25, I had no way of knowing what I might be missing. Got it, loaded my zip code and started scanning. The audio was not good. After listening for several hours I heard very little P25 my Icom R30 and R6 picked up all the conventional signals, the sds200 did not. back in the box it went. I am now satisfied I am not missing any p25 transmissions.
I'll only say this. In my case it was not a good fit. The main reason was in my case, even locked on the favorites list for VHF analog I wanted to monitor it did not perform as well as an any of the other scanners did I compared it to. Also, given I had it for only 2-3 hours in that time frame what was a totally charged battery was almost depleted. Yes we listened a LOT but still if it can't get 3 hours, it's pretty useless to me for something I'd actually carry out and about on an average work day for that application. We can use the term "not right for me" if you prefer rather than useless.
Also the VHF reception on the several frequencies I monitor it didn't work well enough even trying several different antennas compared to the other things we tested it too. I agree, the audio wasn't good but then again, it's a hand held device so honestly that didn't even count I'm used to that from some of the ham HT's I use daily. Crappy audio from little speakers is a fact at times.
I'll only say this, if you tried to do Zip code scanning, that was likely 95% of the issue about actually not receiving. I guess zip code scanning is a good idea, it's sure sold a lot of scanners it seems, but it's terrible. Someone on RR here has a tag line "the more you scan the less you hear" and on a single device I couldn't agree more. When I first got my 536 some years ago now I did that thinking (foolishly) it would work and I hardly heard anything truthfully.
As far as calling the scanner in general useless yes, I agree that's not accurate. The sheer volume of people it does work for proves otherwise. Is it because people haven't taken the time to learn it? Could be, I don't know I'm not them. Is it the perfect fit for everyone, nope absolutely not. Heck some people buy them and it's simply overkill. They're trying to do thIngs they could do on a 20 dollar yard sale scanner. There's many blanket statements made in life, people have to look at them and decide, for themselves, if that applies to their situation or not. There's a reason thru out the years they have made so many different monitoring devices, you and only you (applying to everyone) can decide if that particular device is right for you. Once you get that device learn it, ask for help if needed and make it work best it can for your needs. There isn't one perfect scanning device out there for everyone for every situation.
This is true with any device one gets that he/she is unfamiliar with. I remember going from crystals to actually being able to program one, heck the different combinations of press this than that to get it programed from device to device was sometimes challenging.
Ubbe
Member
I would say it's not only about learning the scanner. It's like a beautiful car with low profile tires and the suspension have been lowered and are a real beauty to look at. It performs like a dream on a paved freeway. But its owner have gravel roads at his location that also has pot holes where the tires bottom out and cracks its rims.
You can learn how to steer clear of those pot holes but even if you get a A+ at driving school the pot holes can become too many that makes it impossible to avoid them. A more normal car with tires that has much more air in them will handle those pot holes without any problem and without you having to steer clear of them. It's a matter of choosing the right car for the type of roads you are gonna use it on. A SDS type of car will need that smooth paved freeway to stay out of trouble, or just the occasional pot hole or two that can be avoided and not the whole road covered of them.
/Ubbe
You can learn how to steer clear of those pot holes but even if you get a A+ at driving school the pot holes can become too many that makes it impossible to avoid them. A more normal car with tires that has much more air in them will handle those pot holes without any problem and without you having to steer clear of them. It's a matter of choosing the right car for the type of roads you are gonna use it on. A SDS type of car will need that smooth paved freeway to stay out of trouble, or just the occasional pot hole or two that can be avoided and not the whole road covered of them.
/Ubbe
Was your R30 able to pick up any P25 systems?
If you've ever been on the roads in IL, this explains perfectly why it wasn't the perfect choice for me!
- Joined
- Dec 29, 2018
- Messages
- 74
Yes the R30 does receive p25, just not phase 2
fasteddy64
Member
I was lucky enough to find an SDS-200 at a hamfest for $200. It is worth that I suppose. My main system here is an EDACS ProVoice system so the SDS is overkill but I do listen to a few things on the statewide (MSWIN) system. I havent scratched the surface on it's features and quite frankly dont want to. I just wanted another scanner, not another new hobby! I really dislike the display, I keep it on the simple mode, the other is cluttered with things that are of no use to me.
I do find the SDS-100 a bit more useful I travel a lot so I had the internal GPS installed and it is enjoyable on long road trips.
Ed
KG5UN
Gulfport, MS
I do find the SDS-100 a bit more useful I travel a lot so I had the internal GPS installed and it is enjoyable on long road trips.
Ed
KG5UN
Gulfport, MS
For that, I'd take one and just use it at home on one of the P-25 simulcast system I monitor. Good find!
fasteddy64
Member
Yup, I lucked out for sure!
ind224
Member
Well I dont have a 100 or 200 yet looking for a loaded unit waterfall NXDN and DMR that someone wants to fire sale because they loathe it so much.....I remember when my Pro 197s got the bad rap for similcast but I think both changes on my end and the system itself give me 99% indicated decode. I had to make the effort. Would I use the 197 for anything air or anything other than P25? Not unless it was the only radio available.
Just a few days on a new type device is not enough time to learn.
Similar threads
