SDS 200 Reception

[Jaserbug]

I have ask before and tried a couple different things but no success. I live in NC and have an SDS 200 in my vehicle, it seems to work pretty good at home but once I travel I wanna listen to HP. This scanner rarely picks up HP traffic when I travel. I have it on a GPS . I have a favorites with only HP in it and it still picks up very little. What am I doing wrong ? Traveled from Statesville to Asheville yesterday , over 100 miles and few transmissions.

Thanks for any help

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

You tried every suggestion made to you in your thread here?

 

[Jaserbug]

Checked my programming on Favorites sites, made sure all systems were there, have it on GPS and location control on. Just not sure what I’m doing wrong.

 

[hiegtx]

Checked my programming on Favorites sites, made sure all systems were there, have it on GPS and location control on. Just not sure what I’m doing wrong.

For the Favorites list that you are using, did you create them by appending from the main database, or did you manually create them in Sentinel.

When you travel, are you scanning only your Favorites lists? Or are you using the main database along with your GPS.

If you'll post your Favorite lists, we can take a look to see if something was overlooked or has an error.

Select the drop-down File menu in Sentinel.
To do that, click on the drop-down File menu in Sentinel.
Select "Export to hpe file (Favorites lists)


Sentinel will generate a pop-up window with all your lists displayed. Pick the list you want,
Then, you'll get a box for you to choose which systems to export. Make sure all of them are checked, & press OK to proceed.

Sentinel will generate the *.hpe file and give you the option where to save it. (The default name will be that of the source Favorites list, but you can, instead, use a different name.) Note where the file is being saved. (The default is usually the Documents folder, but you can save elsewhere if you want.)
Repeat the export process for each of your Favorites lists.

Once your files are saved, open Windows Explorer (called File Explorer on some Windows versions).
Find your saved file(s).
If you exported more than one list, hold down the Control key. While holding the key, select each of your lists.



You want to compress these to a Zip file. You cannot attach an hpe file to a post, but you can do that with a Zip file. (If you don't see the 'Compress' choice, you should see, instead, "Send To". Use that, which will pop-out a menu on where to send it. One of the options will be to compress the file. Use that.)

Once you have the Zip file created, you can attach it to a post. Then we can open it & see what might need changes or adjustments.

 

[Ubbe]

This scanner rarely picks up HP traffic when I travel.

Is it less than any other scanner you have? Where I live and when I also watch police documentary's from countries like Denmark and UK I notice that the equivalent to HP only use their radio if there's a car chase. They use mobile phone apps to check plates and drivers and even talking between patrols and dispatcher.

It's a lot easier using a full duplex mobile phone than any 2-way radio. It could be region dependent of how much a new guy from Police Academy actually picks up from seasoned colleagues when to use their radio, could be a lot of use by your local HP but not so much in other regions.

Have you checked how much HP use their radios in other countys by listening to a streamed scanner from that area? Perhaps not many stream HP traffic as it is too boring and perhaps not so active that it is worth streaming so maybe difficult to know how much communication you can expect when travelling.

/Ubbe

 

[tvengr]

I have it on a GPS

Are you sure the GPS is working? If it is the Uniden GPS that plugs directly into the RJ11 jack on the back of the scanner, the baud rate in the scanner must be set to 9600. The default is 4800.

 

[donc13]

Obviously, what kind of antenna are you using at home vs in the car? What is your range setting? Do you have all the highway patrol sites in your favorites list or just the ones near your home?

 

[KE4ZNR]

I have ask before and tried a couple different things but no success. I live in NC and have an SDS 200 in my vehicle, it seems to work pretty good at home but once I travel I wanna listen to HP. This scanner rarely picks up HP traffic when I travel. I have it on a GPS . I have a favorites with only HP in it and it still picks up very little. What am I doing wrong ? Traveled from Statesville to Asheville yesterday , over 100 miles and few transmissions.

Thanks for any help

Also figure in that a single NCSHP telecommunicator/dispatcher handles dispatching for multiple districts via multi-selects as well as MDTs/MCTs these days so there is less radio traffic per district. There will be some districts with very little radio traffic.

 

[tvengr]

Do you have all the highway patrol sites in your favorites list or just the ones near your home?

I notice that the OP is not a premium subscriber. That means that the latitude, longitude, and range need to be entered manually for each site. Otherwise, the GPS has no info to turn sites on and off.

 

[Nascar18]

Maybe you should watch this video on GPS setup!

 

[Jaserbug]

For the Favorites list that you are using, did you create them by appending from the main database, or did you manually create them in Sentinel.

When you travel, are you scanning only your Favorites lists? Or are you using the main database along with your GPS.

If you'll post your Favorite lists, we can take a look to see if something was overlooked or has an error.

Select the drop-down File menu in Sentinel.
To do that, click on the drop-down File menu in Sentinel.
Select "Export to hpe file (Favorites lists)
View attachment 148207

Sentinel will generate a pop-up window with all your lists displayed. Pick the list you want,
Then, you'll get a box for you to choose which systems to export. Make sure all of them are checked, & press OK to proceed.

Sentinel will generate the *.hpe file and give you the option where to save it. (The default name will be that of the source Favorites list, but you can, instead, use a different name.) Note where the file is being saved. (The default is usually the Documents folder, but you can save elsewhere if you want.)
Repeat the export process for each of your Favorites lists.

Once your files are saved, open Windows Explorer (called File Explorer on some Windows versions).
Find your saved file(s).
If you exported more than one list, hold down the Control key. While holding the key, select each of your lists.
View attachment 148208


You want to compress these to a Zip file. You cannot attach an hpe file to a post, but you can do that with a Zip file. (If you don't see the 'Compress' choice, you should see, instead, "Send To". Use that, which will pop-out a menu on where to send it. One of the options will be to compress the file. Use that.)

Once you have the Zip file created, you can attach it to a post. Then we can open it & see what might need changes or adjustments.

For the Favorites list that you are using, did you create them by appending from the main database, or did you manually create them in Sentinel.

When you travel, are you scanning only your Favorites lists? Or are you using the main database along with your GPS.

If you'll post your Favorite lists, we can take a look to see if something was overlooked or has an error.

Select the drop-down File menu in Sentinel.
To do that, click on the drop-down File menu in Sentinel.
Select "Export to hpe file (Favorites lists)
View attachment 148207

Sentinel will generate a pop-up window with all your lists displayed. Pick the list you want,
Then, you'll get a box for you to choose which systems to export. Make sure all of them are checked, & press OK to proceed.

Sentinel will generate the *.hpe file and give you the option where to save it. (The default name will be that of the source Favorites list, but you can, instead, use a different name.) Note where the file is being saved. (The default is usually the Documents folder, but you can save elsewhere if you want.)
Repeat the export process for each of your Favorites lists.

Once your files are saved, open Windows Explorer (called File Explorer on some Windows versions).
Find your saved file(s).
If you exported more than one list, hold down the Control key. While holding the key, select each of your lists.
View attachment 148208


You want to compress these to a Zip file. You cannot attach an hpe file to a post, but you can do that with a Zip file. (If you don't see the 'Compress' choice, you should see, instead, "Send To". Use that, which will pop-out a menu on where to send it. One of the options will be to compress the file. Use that.)

Once you have the Zip file created, you can attach it to a post. Then we can open it & see what might need changes or adjustments.

For the Favorites list that you are using, did you create them by appending from the main database, or did you manually create them in Sentinel.

When you travel, are you scanning only your Favorites lists? Or are you using the main database along with your GPS.

If you'll post your Favorite lists, we can take a look to see if something was overlooked or has an error.

Select the drop-down File menu in Sentinel.
To do that, click on the drop-down File menu in Sentinel.
Select "Export to hpe file (Favorites lists)
View attachment 148207

Sentinel will generate a pop-up window with all your lists displayed. Pick the list you want,
Then, you'll get a box for you to choose which systems to export. Make sure all of them are checked, & press OK to proceed.

Sentinel will generate the *.hpe file and give you the option where to save it. (The default name will be that of the source Favorites list, but you can, instead, use a different name.) Note where the file is being saved. (The default is usually the Documents folder, but you can save elsewhere if you want.)
Repeat the export process for each of your Favorites lists.

Once your files are saved, open Windows Explorer (called File Explorer on some Windows versions).
Find your saved file(s).
If you exported more than one list, hold down the Control key. While holding the key, select each of your lists.
View attachment 148208


You want to compress these to a Zip file. You cannot attach an hpe file to a post, but you can do that with a Zip file. (If you don't see the 'Compress' choice, you should see, instead, "Send To". Use that, which will pop-out a menu on where to send it. One of the options will be to compress the file. Use that.)

Once you have the Zip file created, you can attach it to a post. Then we can open it & see what might need changes or adjustments.

For the Favorites list that you are using, did you create them by appending from the main database, or did you manually create them in Sentinel.

When you travel, are you scanning only your Favorites lists? Or are you using the main database along with your GPS.

If you'll post your Favorite lists, we can take a look to see if something was overlooked or has an error.

Select the drop-down File menu in Sentinel.
To do that, click on the drop-down File menu in Sentinel.
Select "Export to hpe file (Favorites lists)
View attachment 148207

Sentinel will generate a pop-up window with all your lists displayed. Pick the list you want,
Then, you'll get a box for you to choose which systems to export. Make sure all of them are checked, & press OK to proceed.

Sentinel will generate the *.hpe file and give you the option where to save it. (The default name will be that of the source Favorites list, but you can, instead, use a different name.) Note where the file is being saved. (The default is usually the Documents folder, but you can save elsewhere if you want.)
Repeat the export process for each of your Favorites lists.

Once your files are saved, open Windows Explorer (called File Explorer on some Windows versions).
Find your saved file(s).
If you exported more than one list, hold down the Control key. While holding the key, select each of your lists.
View attachment 148208


You want to compress these to a Zip file. You cannot attach an hpe file to a post, but you can do that with a Zip file. (If you don't see the 'Compress' choice, you should see, instead, "Send To". Use that, which will pop-out a menu on where to send it. One of the options will be to compress the file. Use that.)

Once you have the Zip file created, you can attach it to a post. Then we can open it & see what might need changes or adjustments.

For the Favorites list that you are using, did you create them by appending from the main database, or did you manually create them in Sentinel.

When you travel, are you scanning only your Favorites lists? Or are you using the main database along with your GPS.

If you'll post your Favorite lists, we can take a look to see if something was overlooked or has an error.

Select the drop-down File menu in Sentinel.
To do that, click on the drop-down File menu in Sentinel.
Select "Export to hpe file (Favorites lists)
View attachment 148207

Sentinel will generate a pop-up window with all your lists displayed. Pick the list you want,
Then, you'll get a box for you to choose which systems to export. Make sure all of them are checked, & press OK to proceed.

Sentinel will generate the *.hpe file and give you the option where to save it. (The default name will be that of the source Favorites list, but you can, instead, use a different name.) Note where the file is being saved. (The default is usually the Documents folder, but you can save elsewhere if you want.)
Repeat the export process for each of your Favorites lists.

Once your files are saved, open Windows Explorer (called File Explorer on some Windows versions).
Find your saved file(s).
If you exported more than one list, hold down the Control key. While holding the key, select each of your lists.
View attachment 148208


You want to compress these to a Zip file. You cannot attach an hpe file to a post, but you can do that with a Zip file. (If you don't see the 'Compress' choice, you should see, instead, "Send To". Use that, which will pop-out a menu on where to send it. One of the options will be to compress the file. Use that.)

Once you have the Zip file created, you can attach it to a post. Then we can open it & see what might need changes or adjustments.

i downloaded the favs from Sentinel list

 

[JoeBearcat]

I notice that the OP is not a premium subscriber. That means that the latitude, longitude, and range need to be entered manually for each site. Otherwise, the GPS has no info to turn sites on and off.

That should not affect Sentinel if these are preprogrammed systems.

 

[hiegtx]

i downloaded the favs from Sentinel list

Looking at your files, it appears that you zipped the same three lists, and posted all three.

The list that you have labeled as "Travel", has the Viper system. But that list is not set to use location control.


So, hooking up the GPS does nothing at all for you, since the list is not tagged to work with the GPS data.

For your three Favorites lists, I see location data in them, so I presume that you appended them from the main database in Sentinel. But since your "Travel" list is not using the location, the scanner is trying to scan everything, not just what is close to you. Trying to scan all of the sites slows it down to a crawl. It Of course, some of the sites will get ignored since the scanner can not receive anything on them. But, in a statewide system, some of the frequencies are used in more than one site. Spaced far enough distant, that they would not normally interfere with each other. But since location control is off, any of them that duplicate your local frequencies could be scanned. But that's a waste of time for you, since your local talkgroups (those in range) would not be carried on a site that is not physically in their home area,

When you are traveling, & have the GPS connected, have you set the correct baud rate, as tvengr mentioned earlier? With it connected, are you seeing the indicator on the scanner display that it is communicating with the GPS?

For your "Main" list, I see that you have a system "State Wildlife Resources" (TWRA). You show it avoided, but that system is for Tennessee, not North Carolina.

That should not affect Sentinel if these are preprogrammed systems.

Joe,
The OP apparently appended them from the main database, so location details are in place.

Checked my programming on Favorites sites, made sure all systems were there, have it on GPS and location control on. Just not sure what I’m doing wrong.

Since you have Location enabled on the Main & Main 1 lists, be sure that the GPS is connected & is communicating with the scanner. Otherwise, the scanner will use the location as entered in your Profile, so make sure that is correct. Remember that "range" is actually a combination of the range you have set in your Profile, and the range of the specific Department or Site that is being scanned. If the range circle from the scanner, intersects with the designated range for that Department or site. For a further description on how that works, take a look at this page:
How it Works: Location, Location, Location

That should not affect Sentinel if these are preprogrammed systems.

For your Travel list, if the GPS is connected & working, then you need to enable location control to use that list.

 

[Jaserbug]

Ok thanks, thought I had location control on but guess not , the scanner does recognize the GPS as it shows it in the display. As ya can see I’m green at this and trying to figure it out, all help is appreciated. When I travel I only enable the Travel fav list. I’m very familiar with the HP here and they use radios frequently with dispatch and cross talk . So as I have it set with location control on I should be able to cross the state and the GPS will recognize sites as I move thru them ? And I’ll pick up different districts of HP ?