Sds 200

[mjbjr]

My last scanner was a pro197 and loved it. Now my area and surrounding areas have gone encrypted. Macon ga and Warner robins GA are the areas. Is updating this and programming it easy for a noob? Otherwise I have to pay for it upfront and that adds up quickly on top of the already high price tag

 

[doctordialtone]

Is updating this and programming it easy for a noob?

Yes.

It's as simple as entering your Zip Code.

Easier to Read SDS100/200 Digital Scanner Manual

Or you may choose to do more detailed programming.

You may want to double-check whether your area is actually encrypted. No scanner can monitor those systems

 

[doctordialtone]

I looked at the listing

Houston County Government (GA) Trunking System, Various, Georgia

Houston County Government (GA) Trunking System Profile

www.radioreference.com

If you look at the "Mode" column, anything with an "E" is encrypted.

Anything with an "e" is part-time encrypted, so you should be OK with the SDS200.

 

[KevinC]

My last scanner was a pro197 and loved it. Now my area and surrounding areas have gone encrypted. Macon ga and Warner robins GA are the areas. Is updating this and programming it easy for a noob? Otherwise I have to pay for it upfront and that adds up quickly on top of the already high price tag

If they are encrypted how will getting a SDS200 make a difference?

 

[bearcatrp]

If you do get a SDS200, start using the zip code scanning method until you’re ready to do favorites. But as mentioned above, if your entire PD and county are encrypted, don’t waste your money buying a scanner as no scanner made today can listen to encrypted frequencies.

 

[mjbjr]

What about these? Is this something I need or do myself?

 

[Enjoi19]

What about these? Is this something I need or do myself?

You can purchase the DMR / NXDN upgrades later on if you end up wanting or needing them. They can be purchased for less from Uniden than from resellers. Waterfall upgrade as well - if it becomes of interest.

Basically though, you need none of these things right off the bat, unless it's of interest.

 

[tvengr]

What about these? Is this something I need or do myself?

You can enter the upgrades yourself. It is less expensive than having a dealer do it. The upgrades already reside in the firmware of the scanners. You just need to login to my.uniden.com and register your scanner to purchase the keys to enable them. ProVoice is at end of life. If you don't have any EDACS systems using ProVoice in your area you want to receive, it is a waste of money.

 

[mjbjr]

Thanks for the reply. I have no idea what provoice and EDAC is.

 

[Enjoi19]

Thanks for the reply. I have no idea what provoice and EDAC is.

EDACS is a trunked system type, and ProVoice was digital voice on the EDACS systems. There is only one of these systems in all of your state, Georgia left, and most have been phased out / are being phased out elsewhere, as it's long ended it's lifecycle.

 

[tvengr]

I see only 1 EDACS trunked system in the entire state of Georgia and that one is analog audio. It does not have any ProVoice digital talkgroups. In fact, that system has only one analog talkgroup left. The SDS200 can receive EDACS analog without the ProVoice upgrade.

 

[chief21]

Is updating this and programming it easy for a noob?

The SDS200 can easily be programmed using the free Sentinel software from Uniden. It can also be programmed "by Zip Code" or with several other paid software programs.

 

[mjbjr]

Thanks for the information.im very appreciative

 

[mjbjr]

If they are encrypted how will getting a SDS200 make a difference?

I was under the impression mine was since the 197 wouldnt pick anything up. I guess i used the wrong terminology.

 

[mjbjr]

I looked at the listing

Houston County Government (GA) Trunking System, Various, Georgia

Houston County Government (GA) Trunking System Profile

www.radioreference.com

If you look at the "Mode" column, anything with an "E" is encrypted.

Anything with an "e" is part-time encrypted, so you should be OK with the SDS200.

I see T and TE in MAcon-bibb
What about houston county? I dont see mode in it

 

[ka3jjz]

Looking at the given link above, some of that is encrypted (it has an 'E' in the mode) and some of it is D (Phase 1). No scanner can handle encryption, but a SDS scanner can handle both the 'T' (phase 2) and 'D'. A 197 could not handle anything with a 'T' in the mode. According to the listing that system is simulcast which is why the 197 would struggle with it, depending on where you are

Mike

 

[mjbjr]

Looking at the given link above, some of that is encrypted (it has an 'E' in the mode) and some of it is D (Phase 1). No scanner can handle encryption, but a SDS scanner can handle both the 'T' (phase 2) and 'D'. A 197 could not handle anything with a 'T' in the mode. According to the listing that system is simulcast which is why the 197 would struggle with it, depending on where you are

Mike

Yes I learned that the hard way with the 197. I eventually sold it. Thank you everyone for the help

 

[mjbjr]

What is waterfall for this scanner?

 

[rf_patriot200]

What is waterfall for this scanner?

The Waterfall is essentially a band scope that lets you set limits above and a below a frequency you select to see how active that range of frequencies are. It's an Option available on the SDS line, that's available from Uniden for $50 I think. I have it, but I rarely use it.

 

[mjbjr]

The Waterfall is essentially a band scope that lets you set limits above and a below a frequency you select to see how active that range of frequencies are. It's an Option available on the SDS line, that's available from Uniden for $50 I think. I have it, but I rarely use it.

Would i need this for just a couple of counties?