SDS100/SDS200: SDS100: Adding to Auto-Programmed Systems

[domtheavgeek]

Hi everyone! I recently got the SDS100 and I love it, but I do have some questions. When I first got the scanner, I used the zip services feature so the scanner would automatically program all of my local systems and frequencies in it. I live in the Albany, NY area so it obviously programmed in the Albany County P25 system. I was going through the categories and talkgroups automatically programmed in and I realized that some talkgroups are missing compared to what is in the RR database! Some of these talkgroups include airport TSA ops, school transportation frequencies, etc. So to come up with a temporary solution, I created my own system manually and just programmed in the missing talkgroups. That works fine, but it would be more efficient for me to scan just 1 system and not 2. Is there any way I can manually add talkgroups onto the automatically programmed systems? Any help is appreciated! Thank you!

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

Is there any way I can manually add talkgroups onto the automatically programmed systems? Any help is appreciated! Thank you!

No way to manually add talkgroups to a full database (zip code) scan. You'll need to program the system(s)/site(s)/talkgroups you're interested in listening to into a favorites list. Easiest way to achieve this is via Uniden Sentinel

See info on creating a favorites list below:

SDS Sentinel Software Manual

 

[dave3825]

When I first got the scanner, I used the zip services feature so the scanner would automatically program all of my local systems and frequencies in it.

The scanner does not automatically program itself. The zip feature will tell the scanner what range and service types to listen to. Programming is done when you create a favorites list and write it to the scanner.

I live in the Albany, NY area so it obviously programmed in the Albany County P25 system. I was going through the categories and talkgroups automatically programmed in and I realized that some talkgroups are missing compared to what is in the RR database!

If its a favorites list you created, you read the scanner into Sentinel, then open the fav list editor and go to the depts in question and manually add the missing tg's.

 

[domtheavgeek]

The scanner does not automatically program itself. The zip feature will tell the scanner what range and service types to listen to. Programming is done when you create a favorites list and write it to the scanner.

If its a favorites list you created, you read the scanner into Sentinel, then open the fav list editor and go to the depts in question and manually add the missing tg's.

Well, it technically does program the scanner itself if you give it the required information. You just get to customize how far (as in range) it programs out and what service banks you'd like to listen to. I have all service banks selected and I set the range appropriately.

 

[mc48]

Sentinel allows you to update the main Zip code database and this will update the TG's to what appears in the RR database, just look for the update tab and once complete download to the scanner.

 

[dave3825]

Well, it technically does program the scanner itself if you give it the required information.

Since the full database is installed in the scanner, all setting a zip does is tell it what to scan based on the user specified parameters. It's more like filtering than programming.

 

[domtheavgeek]

Since the full database is installed in the scanner, all setting a zip does is tell it what to scan based on the user specified parameters. It's more like filtering than programming.

Think of it however you'd like.

 

[domtheavgeek]

Sentinel allows you to update the main Zip code database and this will update the TG's to what appears in the RR database, just look for the update tab and once complete download to the scanner.

According to Sentinel, the RR database is fully updated in my scanner even though I'm still missing the school talkgroups. (image attached shows school talkgroups in Albany/Schenectady counties P25 system that are not in scanner)

 

[dave3825]

My Sentinel has not been updated since April and those tg's show up in mine.

After you updated Sentinel, did you write it to the scanner? When you write, there is a box that needs to be checked (under Erase Favorites) so the updated db gets written to the scanner. Something like "Force Write Full Database".

 

[nessnet]

Well, it technically does program the scanner itself if you give it the required information.

You will find almost universal dis-agreement here with this statement.
As was said above - when you zip code scan, it looks at a national database and depending on service types and GLOBAL range set, it scans what is sees. A basic filtered database 'dip' is what it is.

"PROGRAMMING" consists of YOU building favorite lists.
Which is one of the first things to learn how to do with these radios.
That and quick keys.
GPS is also something highly recommended.

In other words - how to actually program it...

 

[jtwalker]

According to Sentinel, the RR database is fully updated in my scanner even though I'm still missing the school talkgroups. (image attached shows school talkgroups in Albany/Schenectady counties P25 system that are not in scanner)View attachment 145230

No, Sentinel is showing what is on your PC, not necessarily what is on your scanner. Did you do as @dave3825 suggested and ensure you wrote this to the scanner.

 

[nessnet]

Some of these talkgroups include airport TSA ops

BTW.....
TSA is encrypted in most, if not every airport.

 

[domtheavgeek]

BTW.....
TSA is encrypted in most, if not every airport.

Guess Albany isn't

 

[domtheavgeek]

No, Sentinel is showing what is on your PC, not necessarily what is on your scanner. Did you do as @dave3825 suggested and ensure you wrote this to the scanner.

I'll just leave it as is. I tried updating and there's nothing new. I'll just keep using my second system.

 

[donc13]

You didn't update it properly then. If the system shows in Sentenial but does not scan on the radio, you are either too far from it to receive it, you didn't add it to the scanner as a favorite list or you didn't write it to the scanner.

Obviously your choice what you do with the information you were given.

 

[hiegtx]

You didn't update it properly then. If the system shows in Sentenial but does not scan on the radio, you are either too far from it to receive it, you didn't add it to the scanner as a favorite list or you didn't write it to the scanner.

Obviously your choice what you do with the information you were given.

Hi everyone! I recently got the SDS100 and I love it, but I do have some questions. When I first got the scanner, I used the zip services feature so the scanner would automatically program all of my local systems and frequencies in it. I live in the Albany, NY area so it obviously programmed in the Albany County P25 system. I was going through the categories and talkgroups automatically programmed in and I realized that some talkgroups are missing compared to what is in the RR database! Some of these talkgroups include airport TSA ops, school transportation frequencies, etc. So to come up with a temporary solution, I created my own system manually and just programmed in the missing talkgroups. That works fine, but it would be more efficient for me to scan just 1 system and not 2. Is there any way I can manually add talkgroups onto the automatically programmed systems? Any help is appreciated! Thank you!

In addition to the comments on whether or not the scanner (or it's database) is accurately updated, you should also verify that you have the service types updated for the departments & agencies that you say are missing. The TSA channel for Albany's airport uses service type "Security". For the 'schools transportation', the service type is 'Schools'. Be sure that the service types for all of your systems of interest are enabled.