SDS100/SDS200: SDS 100 won’t receive but 436 hear the same channels next to it

[R0am3r]

@Ubbe - Your comment was "All SDS scanners have reception issues regardless of frequency bands." I feel that is disingenuous and is quite frankly untrue. Most people don't have cell towers or strong transmitters in their backyard that interferes with their reception. As a real world case, my SDS200 is on 24/7 and typically tuned to a VHF P25 system during the day or I have it hunting for Airband/MILAIR activity when I am away from the shack. I have crystal clear reception of my county VHF P25 simulcast system. If I decide to monitor the three surrounding counties, I have the same perfect reception of the UHF P25 simulcast systems. Real world experience and the SDS200 doesn't miss a beat.

As previously posted, I have compared the SDS200 with my BCT15X on the VHF Airband and most recently I have both radios monitoring the MILAIR frequencies. There is a military range to the North of me and I hear plenty of action on the MILAIR UHF band. I have yet to find a single instance where the BCT15X outperforms the SDS200. The best test that I can perform is monitoring a single frequency on both radios and see if there is a difference. When the aircraft moves out of range, both radios go quiet. Again, real world experience.

As a bit of background, I live in a quiet rural area of Upstate New York. There are two cell towers (Verizon and AT&T) within a few miles of me as well as a MPT1327 transmitter operating on 461.5375 MHz. The MPT1327 system is approximately three miles (4.8 km) from me that is licensed for 100 watts of power. The site antenna is mounted on a tower and is line-of-site to me. With the exception of popping my Close Call, I have zero interference from the transmitter. This is a continuous signal with a unique sound, so I am pretty sure I would hear it elsewhere if there was a problem. Obviously, I have added this frequency to my CC Avoid Frequencies list.

Please note that I have read your reports before. I just don't believe this applies to everyone and it doesn't really change the behavior of the radios in most real world environments.

I wish you well in your scanner endeavors.

 

[werinshades]

.... all the other blah, blah, blah deleted...

How come is it whenever you reply to me, it always seems to be in a negative tone? I never said I have buyers remorse, I said I was disappointed in its reception compared to my older 800XLT that does a better job (on the analog signals). I will continue to speak my mind, be honest in my appraisals, but since I've grown not to like you, I'm going to see if this site has a way to block you, because you have a negative effect on my enjoyment of the scanning hobby.

LOL...I'm #2 now that you don't like.

So your answer is no, you haven't done anything suggested. Did you inquire on the local forum about your state police? Are you monitoring the proper sites? Have you tried switching your analog to FM Modulation in conjunction with the filter usage? Did you figure out how to load the favorite lists you created prior to purchase or still database monitoring which could explain your reception issues? Do you remember how to change filters at Site/Department level of programming?

So you see, don't take it too personally when I comment about your posts in regards to the scanner IF you haven't attempted any of the known resolutions. You've owned it around a month, so maybe use the search box here and find some answers to known questions. We won't be mean if you make a valid attempt to research and correct your issue before complaining...I promise.

 

[Ubbe]

... Your comment was "All SDS scanners have reception issues regardless of frequency bands." I feel that is disingenuous and is quite frankly untrue. Most people don't have cell towers or strong transmitters in their backyard that interferes with their reception... I just don't believe this applies to everyone and it doesn't really change the behavior of the radios in most real world environments.

I have measured the SDS100's RF performance. If you keep it away from any signals stronger than -80dBm you might be in a safe level. The truth is that the scanner is flawed and I show that in the measurements and exactly what happens to the scanner. You can ignore facts, lots of people do that in these days of covid, climate change and election outcomes so you are not alone.

/Ubbe

 

[Ensnared]

I ran into this same issue. I had the SDS 100 and 436HP, side-by-side. The 436HP was picking things up faster than the SDS 100. However, when I tuned the SDS 100 to a talk group that surfaced on the 436HP, there was a big difference. The 436HP reception became intermittent while the SDS 100 came through like gangbusters.

I learned to never put an "auto" filter setting on conventional frequencies. Now, mine works very well in central Texas.

 

[natedawg1604]

I have measured the SDS100's RF performance. If you keep it away from any signals stronger than -80dBm you might be in a safe level. The truth is that the scanner is flawed and I show that in the measurements and exactly what happens to the scanner. You can ignore facts, lots of people do that in these days of covid, climate change and election outcomes so you are not alone.

/Ubbe

I would definitely agree the SDS100 has issues with intermod and interference with strong nearby signals that's worse than many other scanners, many people have reported this issue.

I'm assuming it's a hardware issue, and I have no illusions it will be fixed anytime soon. AFAIK no scanner manufacturer has ever advertised ANY scanner product to have great selectively, sensitivity or intermod rejection. I also am not optimistic about any scanner company (whether Uniden or anyone else) coming out with a better product anytime soon that supports simulcast, DMR & NXDN trunking etc, but with better RF performance.

This is why some people use commercial radios, I have numerous commercial radios and scanners for specific purposes. Obviously that is not an option for everyone, unfortunately it's about the only option for people who want a radio with great RF performance, where you turn it on and it just works, and where the manuals contain RF performance specs. And if the RF performance is bad, it's often fixed by an alignment at your local radio shop.

 

[Ubbe]

I would definitely agree the SDS100 has issues with intermod and interference with strong nearby signals

It's even issues with moderate signals. I think it opened squelch at a -85dB signal 200Khz and 1,3Mhz away that are the strongest "mirror" I have found.

/Ubbe