SDS 100 very disappointed

[bearcatrp]

Yes the R30 does receive p25, just not phase 2

Was talking about during the time your SDS100 wasn’t receiving P25. Have 2 R30’s so know it’s a great P25 phase 1 receiver.

 

[a727469]

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.

Well, glad to hear back from you on this but I am a bit confused.

I guess I thought you got a 100 not a 200 but to me I agree the 100 has not very good audio but the 200 I am currently listening to is quite good for a base/mobile scanner. Obvious, opinions on that vary but I have owned a quite few and it compares favorably.

Maybe in all this I got a good one and you got a bad one but my P25 phase 1 reception is very good. Equal to my bcd996p2.

I would never judge or trust the sds series using the zip code method to test without modification and tweaking on p25 to make sure the sites and frequencies and other settings were correct. Too much possibility of error especially when you seem to say you were missing some but not sure if you mean talk groups on p25 or analog transmissions. Also not sure what antennas you were using to compare.

I do not have my r6 anymore but I do have an icom v80 and other analog scanners and the sds200 on its whip antenna compares favorably with them with the right filters.

Finally I am happy that you are now satisfied and frankly that is all that really counts!

 

[Omega-TI]

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

Oh yeah, long trips and freeway miles, it's the SDS, no ifs ands or buts because it's kind of like a Swiss Army knife, it'll do a little bit of everything. In fact if I'm going somewhere I've never been before, I use the remote head I got from mancow because it has the GPS built in, but I usually program in the destination frequencies as a favorite so I don't scan extra stuff.

 

[buddrousa]

I do not need them but I would buy 5 SDS200's like Fasteddie64 found for $200 each.

 

[dmfalk]

Just a few days on a new type device is not enough time to learn.

Or realise just how good it really is........ 🙃

 

[dmfalk]

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.....

More or less how I got my SDS100, pre-waterfall...... Fully loaded, with extras.... Cost me about $700 for over $1200 worth of radio, antennas, GPS unit, second battery & charger, and of course, all three upgrades, at the time. Everything but the box & manual. Paid for with birthday money.

No regrets. 🙃

 

[DAVE1933]

I owned the sds100 but I have a 200 now which is one of the better all around scanners if care is taken to optimize it and learn it. I have owned at least the same numbers as people in this post for at least as long as those who are comparing apples to oranges.
Yes, the old units were good in many ways, but one has to consider the entire scanner experience and I never liked making blanket positive or negative statements without considering the big picture.
I saw nowhere in this post where there are any specific things listed that would put the 100 in the trash. Would I buy another one? Yes, but with other unidens, icoms etc I did not need it.

If one is talking about strictly sensitivity then maybe the sds100 falls somewhat short, but my 200 is fine with the appropriate antenna and with the filters I got my 100 to be very competitive. Yes, it is not plug and play like the older units.

I ,too, owned an r6 and it was a great little unit, but no comparison to either the sds series or other current scanners in terms of programming ease especially with software or bank/favorites scanning. The r6 is a great receiver for a specific use not including trunk, digital or simulcast or ease of on the go programming. I also owned Relm so I am not inexperienced. Each radio has its place and
I respect everyone’s opinion but please supply specific reason why the sds does not work for you.

what type of antenna and filters

 

[Ubbe]

Just keep in mind that SDS filters are like the steering wheel in a car. When the potholes are only on the left side of the road you have to steer to the right of them and when they are only on the right side you have to steer to the left of them. If they are in middle of the road you can steer to either side but if they are both left, right and center you cannot avoid them.

Then you might use IFX, that makes you shift to another lane that perhaps have fewer potholes. But if you are unlucky both lanes are scattered with potholes and it doesn't matter what you do, and only option are to return that car to the dealer and get another that can handle those bad road conditions.

Roads have different conditions in different locations, so sometimes they might not have any potholes and it works just fine using that first SDS car to drive on those roads and the owner tells everyone else what a great car this is, and it is, but just on those perfect roads.

/Ubbe

 

[trentbob]

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.

Using zip code search you always want to activate all service types, by default out of the box they are not.. you would try setting your range to 5 MI. Then 10.

 

[a727469]

what type of antenna and filters

Ubbe answered about filters very well above. Just so happens wide invert works good for me but may not for you.
I use a simple home built ground plane in the top of my garage tuned to vhf high since that is the majority in my area. Nothing fancy but works extremely well and about $10 parts.

 

[DAVE1933]

thanks