SDS100/SDS200: SDS Firmware 12/21/23 Digital Reception Improvements

[maus92]

Right. To update Sentinel with the weekly data, you will be required to update Sentinel. Updating the the database in the radio and updating the radio's firmware are two separate operations that can be performed independently and are not required.

 

[jgorman21]

I'd suggest updating Sentinel to 2.05, and stop there. Read your scanner into Sentinel and Save. If you primarily use ProScan and have made any changes, this would duplicate your programming, and if you decide to add any upgrades later, you won't lose what you have.

As far as firmware goes, hold off if everything is working for you.

Thank you. Sounds like a plan!

 

[dave3825]

"Improved digital reception performance" is pretty vague. Saw Joe on for a brief period yesterday and did not see him viewing any of the non waterfall related threads. Not saying he did not, just saying I did not see it. He posted about new revised firmware coming with no mention of anything other than waterfall related fixes. It's interesting that they know that waterfall has issues and are fixing those, but no mention on any of the other problems being addressed.

 

[Dewey]

"Improved digital reception performance" is pretty vague. Saw Joe on for a brief period yesterday and did not see him viewing any of the non waterfall related threads. Not saying he did not, just saying I did not see it. He posted about new revised firmware coming with no mention of anything other than waterfall related fixes. It's interesting that they know that waterfall has issues and are fixing those, but no mention on any of the other problems being addressed.

I would say that was by choice. There have been posts on his Uniden SDS listserv about the problems with the new firmware to include my own description as posted here about the Smartnet problem, so he definitely can't say he's not aware. BTW, he has taken the time on his Uniden SDS listserv to defend the new firmware concerning the Provoice problems since there was an "out" that it may not have been the firmware.

 

[dave3825]

his Uniden SDS listserv

I am not familiar with that. You have a link?

 

[Dewey]

I don't want to get off the topic, but just remember back when news of the SDS100 first broke (the 200 followed later), Paul mentioned someone violating his trust (my words) creating and squatting on SDS100 and SDS200 lists before the official announcement.

 

[sonm10]

OK, I've been trying to follow along, but this thread is kind of a mess....

I'm hearing a lot of yeas and nays. Does this firmware really improve digital decoding? How does it effect P25, DMR, or NXDN?

 

[Dewey]

OK, I've been trying to follow along, but this thread is kind of a mess....

I'm hearing a lot of yeas and nays. Does this firmware really improve digital decoding? How does it effect P25, DMR, or NXDN?

Correct, there are yeas and there are nays, it depends on who and where. I am a very valid nay which is proven by others in the area, but that is just on Smartnet systems.

 

[KevinC]

Correct, there are yeas and there are nays, it depends on who and where. I am a very valid nay which is proven by others in the area, but that is just on Smartnet systems.

Judging by the videos of two different 3600 system doing the exact same thing I'd say your nay is warranted.

 

[KevinC]

How does having NAC search set on make the display “cooler” ?

Because I said so.

I was just being silly.

 

[phask]

Just speaking for myself. I have increased sensitivity on P21 - PH1. All on Ohio MARCS. I can now receive a neighboring county simulcast site. Sites went live a year or so and never heard a peep. Can now get them maybe 90% (or more).
Using Analyze I get a lock on 3 sites that were usually unreceivable. I have a 536, same antenna using a multi-coupler. Nothing on the same sites.

I've seen no degradation on anything.

 

[Indianabrad]

Does this firmware really improve digital decoding?

I think it makes the audio more clear on my 3y/o 200. It sounded terrible until the new FW.

 

[Randyk4661]

From my point of view at my location, yes it has helped with digital reception.
From your location, only you will know if it helps or not.

 

[rgchristy]

Should posts going forward include the build year and/or date, to see if there is any correlation between that and whether the firmware improves performance?

Just a thought...

 

[dave3825]

So now, days after the release, the firmware release notes have been updated.

1.03.02 Sub / 1.23.01 Main(12/21/23)​

This firmware applies the following enhancements and bug fixes:

• Support Waterfall
• (Latest version of Sentinel (2.05.03) required to use these features).
• Improved digital reception performance. The improvement effect varies depending on the receiving area.
  • Fixed the problem of P25 Phase2 Unit ID not being detected.
  • Improved P25 Phase2 signal detection rate.
  • Improved P25, DMR, NXDN OFT signal detection rate.
  • Updated Filter for P25 Phase1, DMR, and NXDN.
  • Increased the speed of digital scanning.
• Improved accuracy of the reading for RSSI and the number of signal bars. The current readings are more accurate than previously were across all bands. The firmware update that implements the Waterfall Feature did not affect the sensitivity of the radio. In some cases, the new RSSI and signal bar readings may be very different than they used to be, creating the erroneous impression that the scanner is not performing as well as it did previously.
• SDS200 Waterfall Feature Operation Manual

And for those who may have missed it, ..

1.23.03 Main (12/28/23)​

This firmware applies the following enhancements and bug fixes:

• Fixed that disabled RECORDING when entering waterfall mode.
• Fixed an issue where the Signal Bar and RSSI would not be displayed when a weak signal was received.

 

[maus92]

For those complaining of the update making things worse, have you adjusted your filters?
One of the primary systems i monitor i needed to change from Wide Normal to Wide Invert and that fixed my receptions issues. Prior to the upgrade no issues. After upgrade degraded decoding but fixed after filter adjustment. I still love my SDS100. Filters in my OPINION do make a huge difference on a per site/system basis.

Doing some testing today. Wide Normal improved reception somewhat, and perhaps Wide Invert helped a bit more. Still not as good as it was on the previous firmware without any filters. SmartZone simulcast system with digital voice.

 

[jgorman21]

I'd suggest updating Sentinel to 2.05, and stop there. Read your scanner into Sentinel and Save. If you primarily use ProScan and have made any changes, this would duplicate your programming, and if you decide to add any upgrades later, you won't lose what you have.

As far as firmware goes, hold off if everything is working for you.

Hey Werinshades,

I was thinking A little more. I’ll probably do what you’ve suggested here first. Then maybe in a day or two try the firmware. If my file was saved I could always read it back to the new firmware…right.

I’m on the “slow roll” on this one! Thanks!

 

[werinshades]

Hey Werinshades,

I was thinking A little more. I’ll probably do what you’ve suggested here first. Then maybe in a day or two try the firmware. If my file was saved I could always read it back to the new firmware…right.

I’m on the “slow roll” on this one! Thanks!

I think you mean your programming file saved? Yes, I was saying if everything is working for you under the current firmware, you could hold off. Look through the threads and see if any of the "troublesome systems" would be similar to what you have programmed. As always, it's up to you.

 

[ssinglet]

Doing some testing today. Wide Normal improved reception somewhat, and perhaps Wide Invert helped a bit more. Still not as good as it was on the previous firmware without any filters. SmartZone simulcast system with digital voice.

so some observations, with both of the new firmware version tested with all of the filters (they did not really change the performance), the D-error rate was min of 40 and maxed out at 130, while idle on the CC, the Rssi was -50 to -70 under load the Rssi was -80 to -109. after revert back to the 1.20.00 firmware and all the filters set back to auto, the the D-error rate was min of 0 and maxed out at 10, while idle on the CC, the Rssi was -70 to -80 under load the Rssi was -60 to -75

the system for testing is the Charles County Motorola Type II Smartnet, sitting 1 mile from the tower

 

[Dewey]

I was considering trying this latest version after the first version totally destroyed decoding Charles Co. After seeing your report, I think I will continue to wait it out. Thank you!