I've had the SDS-100 and the SDS-200 for over one year now. I've beat my had against the wall every since I purchased them. Sentinel has never worked so I bought programming on SD's Micro's. I've never been able to receive my county's trunked systems, only VHF and UHF channels. State trunked systems seemed to work OK. Now that our county has changed from 800MHz to 700MHz, I was back to trying to program with sentinel again. Today is day 6 and I can't get anything to work. I tried to load the old SD's up to Sentinel and modify them. Nothing worked. I purchased 3 new SD Cards and copy the old favorites to them and reinstalled them. Nothing but errors. I reformatted the cards about 6 times now with aftermarket formatting programs being as Sentinel formatting didn't work. I've my errors were to "clear user data" and that makes no difference either. I've tried to copy the original card directly and drag & drop to the new cards and nothing but errors. Over the last year, I've deleted and reloaded Sentinel about 16 times now. Nothing works, I finally just went to Zip Scanners and purchased about $160 of programming with SD Cards. Obviously it's just me, but I see that others have issues and most have solved their issues with the help of others here. Very nice to see those who dive in to help. The cost of these scanners and adding programming twice now for 2-3 counties twice now, I beginning that I need to get rid of them next time they need updating. None-the-less, I'm just wondering if anyone else has had so much trouble with sentinel and I would like to know if I can update or add trunked stations to the new Favorites once I receive the new SD Cards from Zip Scanners. A lot of wording that is mostly venting. Suggestions very much welcome for future programming. Thank you very much!
SDS100/SDS200: SDS100 and 200 Programming problems
- Thread starter EricEberle
- Start date
I would start by watching the many SDS 200 & 100 You Tube videos sites and relax. Look up what you need to know, programming , basic operation and do that . Then try the scanner again. Is your PC connecting to the SDS 200? The Sentinel SW is not that hard to figure out. Learn about "favorites list" most important when using SDS scanners.
Take a deep breath...........
Sentinel is not rocket science, so first, let's start there.
Where are you located and what exactly are you trying to program?
Exactly what in Sentinel is not working??
What error are you getting?
What sequence of steps are you following when you get an error?
Did you even get to the step where you press "E" and get the scanner into mass storage mode - or never even get that far?
You have to be specific in order to get any help.
How did you format the card?
Always use this - NOT Windows.
SD Memory Card Formatter for Windows/Mac | SD Association
THEN, do the clear user data - all clear user data does is initialize the card in order to run the radio and accept programming.
Oh, not to make you feel bad, but most would tell you pre-programmed cards are a total rip-off.
You already have everything needed to do this - the database is included FREE with the radio/Sentinel..
All you have to do is be specific and help us to help you.
Sentinel is not rocket science, so first, let's start there.
Where are you located and what exactly are you trying to program?
Exactly what in Sentinel is not working??
What error are you getting?
What sequence of steps are you following when you get an error?
Did you even get to the step where you press "E" and get the scanner into mass storage mode - or never even get that far?
You have to be specific in order to get any help.
How did you format the card?
Always use this - NOT Windows.
SD Memory Card Formatter for Windows/Mac | SD Association
THEN, do the clear user data - all clear user data does is initialize the card in order to run the radio and accept programming.
Oh, not to make you feel bad, but most would tell you pre-programmed cards are a total rip-off.
You already have everything needed to do this - the database is included FREE with the radio/Sentinel..
All you have to do is be specific and help us to help you.
Last edited:
tvengr
Well Known Member
Welcome to the forums! If that is Kanosh in Millard County UT, your best site will be White Pine Peak followed by Cedar Mountain. I suggest using the Wide Invert filter on the sites. I have had many good results using it with 700 MHz frequencies. If you attach your favorites list, we can take a look at it to check for problems. Go to the File tab in Sentinel and click on Export to hpe file (Favorites List). You will need to zip the exported file to be able to attach it. Click on Attach files and open the zipped file.
Please note: Filters are location specific.
I would suggest initially setting your global filter on off or normal to start.
Once you get Sentinel figured out, then search here (this forum) for "filters" and you will find very good tutorials, showing you how to experiment with what filter (may) be best for YOUR location. Again, every location is different, so there is no one solution (filter) that fits all circumstances.
I can't directly help you with your issues as they aren't quite clear to me without having more location information. That said, even though a good number of people like Sentinel, I find it practically unusable. I'm not exactly new to scanners or programming scanners, but trying to pare down the information in the RRDB to a usable amount is overly tedious.
All of that being said, you can use ProScan and your RRDB subscription to download information and build your own Favorite Lists. There is a bit of a learning curve, but it will be faster than trying to get through Sentinel. You can get a free 1 month try before you buy license for ProScan.
After that, about all you'll need Sentinel for is changing settings, updating the RRDB, and firmware updates.
All of that being said, you can use ProScan and your RRDB subscription to download information and build your own Favorite Lists. There is a bit of a learning curve, but it will be faster than trying to get through Sentinel. You can get a free 1 month try before you buy license for ProScan.
After that, about all you'll need Sentinel for is changing settings, updating the RRDB, and firmware updates.
If you continue having trouble with Sentinel ask on the regional forums (listed in RR Forums-each state has their own forum) if there is anyone close to you who can meet with you and walk you through Sentinel. A hands-on approach is always helpful. A word of caution… pick a public space where others congregate, not a deserted parking lot. Protect yourself against those unscrupulous individuals who offer to meet just to grab your scanner! Bringing a buddy would also help, the bigger the better.
@EricEberle
Welcome to your 1st post on RR.
When you say Sentinel does not work what do you mean?
It will not load and run on your computer?
It will not connect to either the SDS100 or SDS200?
You do not understand how to use Sentinel?
Welcome to your 1st post on RR.
When you say Sentinel does not work what do you mean?
It will not load and run on your computer?
It will not connect to either the SDS100 or SDS200?
You do not understand how to use Sentinel?
ka3jjz
Wiki Admin Emeritus
We have a number of SDS videos linked in our SDS FAQ viz.
wiki.radioreference.com
Mike
SDS100 and SDS200 FAQ Page 2 - The RadioReference Wiki
Mike
