Question for the group. I just bought a sds100 on eBay. The stock antenna would not pick up any transmissions. I tried the paperclip trick and it started working. Then I noticed the rssi was -115dbm with or without the antenna. I don't think it's hitting the pin but might be wrong. The radio was built in 2024. I bought a remtronix 920s will this make it work? I don't want a 500 dollar scanner with a paperclip sticking out forever! Just for reference my uniden bcd325p2 worked right out of the box so it's not my area. Any help would be much appreciated, has this happened to anyone else? Thank you
SDS100/SDS200: Sds100 antenna problems.
- Thread starter Evin2577
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Can you post a pic of the radio and antenna connectors? Similar to these.
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Do you have the SMA to BNC adapter that came in the box?
If the answer is yes try the 25p2 antenna
If the answer is yes try the 25p2 antenna
It did not come with one unfortunately.
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Chris0516
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wtp
Member
any piece of metal receives radio waves.
it is how resonant it is as to how good it does the job.
i used an old 108" whip and still got stuff in the 800 band.
it is how resonant it is as to how good it does the job.
i used an old 108" whip and still got stuff in the 800 band.
There are suitable SMA male to BNC female adapters for sale on eBay and Amazon. They do not look the same as what came with the scanner, but still work the same.
Can you see the center contact in the middle of the connector on the scanner? The two leafs can be broken. If they are broken, the pin on the antenna may not make contact with what remains at the very bottom of the connector, but a paper clip could. Does the antenna still have the center pin? The OEM antenna can be bought from Uniden and is often for sale on Amazon.
Pictures of the scanner and antenna connectors would be helpful for us to see if they are in focus.
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He posted pics in post # 5.
@Evin2577 when you screw the antenna on, does it go all the way on and seat, or does it look like its not down all the way? Can you snap a pic from the side with the antenna installed?
To me, the pin in the antenna does not look 100% centered. Could just be the angle. Can you snap a pic from directly above?
Do you have the 920 yet? If so, does it receive and better than the stock antenna?
The antenna in photo one is the wrong antenna for a SDS100, there should be an O-ring, and the metal base extends beyond the rubber cover.
The one in the photo will not seat onto the radio correctly because it won't screw down far enough to make contact.
The one in the photo will not seat onto the radio correctly because it won't screw down far enough to make contact.
bg_nashville
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That’s exactly the problem.
Ubbe
Member
It looks as if the antenna will fit, but you could need to remove that rubber ring on the scanner to make the antenna seat properly.
Set the scanner to a frequency that has a continuous transmission that can also be heard with the paperclip, maybe a NOAA channel. Then without that rubber gasket screw on the antenna until you hear the transmission. Then with the rubber gasket in place do the same and check that you can still receive that same channel. I don't have that rubber gasket on my SDS100 and I have no problem with adapters or antennas.
/Ubbe
Set the scanner to a frequency that has a continuous transmission that can also be heard with the paperclip, maybe a NOAA channel. Then without that rubber gasket screw on the antenna until you hear the transmission. Then with the rubber gasket in place do the same and check that you can still receive that same channel. I don't have that rubber gasket on my SDS100 and I have no problem with adapters or antennas.
/Ubbe
That antenna is for the BCD396XT and earlier. The rubber at the bottom of that antenna could be trimmed off about 2.5 mm so the connector can be inserted farther in, but a properly made antenna is certain to fix it.
I measured my SDS antenna and the connector extends 2.5 mm below the rubber.
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Am I seeing what could be the rubber o-ring from the OEM antenna stuck inside the scanner antenna port? Is that what you saw?
I would measure the outside diameter of the rubber casing on the antenna and compare it to the inside diameter of the antenna socket. It looks awful close to me. If the OD of the antenna is larger, it won't work without an adapter.
Don't take my word for it, my eyesight sucks...
Don't take my word for it, my eyesight sucks...
Just measured same. Diameter of rubber and base of antenna is 11 mm. Inside the antenna port is 9.3 mm. Diameter of metal at base of SDS100 antenna is 9 mm.
I'm trying to understand what the OP is trying to do.
This is just a picture of my stuff, for comparison.
My guess is, that they're trying to install an antenna like the one on the left. It partially threads on, but doesn't make a solid connection.
The antenna or antenna with that connector on the right is what is needed for a SDS100.
This is just a picture of my stuff, for comparison.
My guess is, that they're trying to install an antenna like the one on the left. It partially threads on, but doesn't make a solid connection.
The antenna or antenna with that connector on the right is what is needed for a SDS100.
They also might get away with shaving some of the rubber off the bottom of the connector.
Not optimal, but doable. It can be done in a pinch, as long as the metal part is smaller than or the same size as the ID of the antenna female socket.
This thread has another OP's similar issue:
forums.radioreference.com
Their comments were priceless!
Phooey!
5 minutes with a Dremel and problem solved!
Do NOT use Diamond SRH77CA on SDS100
Hi all, There is many who ask what a better all-around antenna may be to use on the SDS100! Many have reported that the Diamond SRH77CA is a great antenna! It is BUT...The SRH77CA uses a SMA connector which will not fit the SDS100. In laymen terms the neck or base of the antenna is too thick...
Their comments were priceless!
Phooey!
5 minutes with a Dremel and problem solved!
Good comments and support. I would add that a paper clip while helping in the short term may damage the socket contact on the radio because the diameter may be larger than the antenna's pin contact. My typical repair case has been data, control and power contacts. Always probe with caution ensure dead circuits and small pins.
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