SDS-200 Speaker Noise Again like the 536HP

[cpetraglia]

I received mine a few days ago. The only way I can hear the noise is by using an amplified speaker. As long as you set the amp low and up the volume on the scanner, it's no problem at all. Overall I am very pleased with the scanner.

 

[Houdini7]

mine arrives TODAY (saturday 2/9). i ordered from HRO. the guy told me even IF there were an out of box issue, they charge between 5-15% restocking fee depending on issue once it is validated by them. do not know whether this is really their policy OR if they say that just to prevent unneeded returns. if mine has an issue, it is going back to them and i will argue at that point. no way would i send to uniden to fix a NEW scanner. i'd rather be out 5%. hopefully now issues when mine arrive, BUT I did not the serial above for the TWO guys who had problems with hum.

This was copied from their website: Ham Radio Outlet General Information
"Returns
Defective items may be returned for an exchange, return or upgrade within 10 days of the purchase date. Non-defective items returned within 10 days for credit or refund will be subject to a minimum 15% re-stocking fee. Special order items, cut cables, software and books are non-returnable. All return freight charges are the responsibility of the customer. "

Hopefully you got a good unit.

 

[markjrenna]

I don't get it. If you order from either https://udn.factoryoutletstore.com/...00.html?category_id=1354&catalogitemid=613890 or Uniden SDS200 Police Scanner | Bearcat Handheld Digital Police Radio they both will accept a return within 30 days, full refund, no questions asked. Seems an easy choice on where I will order from. Oh and they take PayPal. What am I missing?

 

[n9diz]

After spending more time with my SDS200, I'd like to change my vote in the poll. I vaguely remember hearing the hum/pulse noise when I was setting up and programming the scanner, but it really didn't bother me much at all.

After a few days with the scanner, I can ONLY HEAR the hum/pulse noise during startup as it loads my favorite lists. With the internal speaker, or even with an external (non-amplified) scanner, I don't hear it during normal use.

Now the obnoxious "popping" noise before and every reception is another story. It seems worse on my local EDACS system. Otherwise, the audio from this scanner seems much more clean and clear than my SDS100, especially on P25 and Provoice channels.

 

[Nasby]

So looking at the poll, its a 50% chance of getting a unit with a humming speaker. Basically a coin toss.

 

[TailGator911]

So looking at the poll, its a 50% chance of getting a unit with a humming speaker. Basically a coin toss.

You are going by this forum's population. There are probably hundreds if not thousands of Uniden customers who bought this scanner and do not even bother with these forums. Just those of us who have the good life lol (and waay too much time on our hands)

Be interesting to see ALL opinions somehow.

JD
kf4anc

 

[dfw1193]

Just bought one on Amazon this evening and I will get it tomorrow and see if this works.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B019393MV2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00__o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Thanks I ordered one also, I do not hear the noise when using the internal speaker, however i can hear it on the external speaker but would only annoy me because I run the scanner all night sleeping across from the speaker.

 

[dfw1193]

So looking at the poll, its a 50% chance of getting a unit with a humming speaker. Basically a coin toss.

I think its more of how old you are and how good your hearing is, how much you hear it or it bothers you.

 

[brodeurm]

Got my SDS 200 yesterday from HRO. I have the hum on both the internal speaker and external speaker hooked up via the external speaker jack. Interesting, I don’t have the hum with headphones or an external speaker to the headphone jack. I would be interested to see if other owners with the hum could replicate my finding.

 

[brodeurm]

Also tried two other power supplies, one a regulated Alinco- no difference. Added a ferrite to the dc in line- nope. Ugh

 

[dfw1193]

Got my SDS 200 yesterday from HRO. I have the hum on both the internal speaker and external speaker hooked up via the external speaker jack. Interesting, I don’t have the hum with headphones or an external speaker to the headphone jack. I would be interested to see if other owners with the hum could replicate my finding.

The reason I think I dont have the issue with the internal speaker is that I mounted the unit in the bracket with the speaker pointing down then put the unit on top of my bcd785d witn double sided tape on the bootom of the bracket then adjusted the unit to be at a 30 degree angle pointing down to my chair since its about a foot or more above my eyesight. I am setting up the ext amplified bearcat speaker to connect it to my headphone jack, also got the ground isolater ordered as recommended here for the ext speaker jack off amazon for 10 bucks.

 

[maus92]

I can live with the "dim" keypad, but NOT the hum if I get one with a hum. in that case, it is going back. we shall see later today. hope no problems as i prob would not order another 200 if it happened. just the way i am. i have been wanting a 536 so prob would go with one of those as a compliment to my 436.

There are two ways to evaluate this hum / noise issue: will it bother you just knowing that it exists on an expensive radio; and can you actually hear it in your use case? My unit does have the hum, but I cannot hear it at all when the radio is in use - I only hear it when I position the radio within 6" of my ear - something you would normally not do with a desktop / mobile radio. Remember that the hum does not increase with volume setting.

 

[maus92]

After spending more time with my SDS200, I'd like to change my vote in the poll. I vaguely remember hearing the hum/pulse noise when I was setting up and programming the scanner, but it really didn't bother me much at all.

After a few days with the scanner, I can ONLY HEAR the hum/pulse noise during startup as it loads my favorite lists. With the internal speaker, or even with an external (non-amplified) scanner, I don't hear it during normal use.

Now the obnoxious "popping" noise before and every reception is another story. It seems worse on my local EDACS system. Otherwise, the audio from this scanner seems much more clean and clear than my SDS100, especially on P25 and Provoice channels.

What are you changing your vote from / to?

 

[n2pqq]

Got my SDS 200 yesterday from HRO. I have the hum on both the internal speaker and external speaker hooked up via the external speaker jack. Interesting, I don’t have the hum with headphones or an external speaker to the headphone jack. I would be interested to see if other owners with the hum could replicate my finding.

I have the exact same condition you describe , also ordered from HRO.

 

[n9diz]

What are you changing your vote from / to?

I can't see how to change my vote. I HAD votes "noticeable but tolerable." I would probably change it to "no noise at all" with the caveat that I don't have any noise during normal operation, only during start up.

 

[tkowalik]

Just got mine in the mail and the humming is definitely there on mine. I can hear it on the internal speaker, headphones, and external speaker.

Would not be able to use headphones because it is too loud.

I sure hope there's a fix for this soon.

 

[weathermedic]

Thanks I ordered one also, I do not hear the noise when using the internal speaker, however i can hear it on the external speaker but would only annoy me because I run the scanner all night sleeping across from the speaker.

Same with me. The audio hum is quite evident when using an external (non amplified) speaker. Can't hear any hum with the internal speaker.

 

[N5XTC]

just received my 200 a few hours ago. if i put my head right at the bottom of the front of the scanner, i can hear a faint hiss. not bothersome if sitting away from the scanner. luckily. ONE THING, scared the heck out of me. i updated firmwar and loaded everything. got her running and it seemed to keep shutting off. i was like, crap, i will have to send it back. then i remembered, there is a display light timer, that was what it was. the screen was shutting OFF, and when she shuts off, it is OFF. black. that was the problem. i notice i have to run her near 3/4 full volume. similar to my 996P2. is there an adjustment for volume besides the volume knob? she seems to pick up as well as my 436, so i am happy about that. so far, so good. UPDATE more later.

 

[N5XTC]

Same with me. The audio hum is quite evident when using an external (non amplified) speaker. Can't hear any hum with the internal speaker.

put your ear at the bottom of the scanner, by the front of the radio, do you hear even a slight hum? i do. i have 10 days, but that is not long. i will run her and see if it gets worse. slight, but it is there.

 

[N5XTC]

which #s are people posting for the serial, my 1st #s are, 38426088...