SDS100/SDS200: SDS100 External GPS

[jeffhochberg]

Ok so I feel like a n00b for asking this.

How do you connect the Uniden GPS to the SDS100? It doesn’t have the same serial port as the BCD436HP.

Does one have to use a USB/Serial adapter to connect it?


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[jonwienke]

No. The scanner still requires RS232 NMEA input. It uses a normally-unused pin on the USB port.

There is a custom cable, but it's mostly sold out right now.

 

[jeffhochberg]

No. The scanner still requires RS232 NMEA input. It uses a normally-unused pin on the USB port.

There is a custom cable, but it's mostly sold out right now.

How does one find the custom cable?


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[jeffhochberg]

Never mind. I found the link.

Completely absurd that one needs to invest in yet another cable.

How difficult would it have been to put the same serial port on this unit?

I’m half inclined to sell this thing and buy a Unication G5 dual band.


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[jonwienke]

https://1drv.ms/f/s!ApJIS-l4xqPtgvQQbjn2uujFCymvKw

 

[maus92]

I’m half inclined to sell this thing and buy a Unication G5 dual band.


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G5 doesn't have a GPS capability, so not sure what you would achieve by that - although the G5 is a nice radio.

 

[hosehead88]

Trust me, you want to pay for the cable. Worth it. GPS with location on is the best scanning experience I have had in over 30 years of scanning.

 

[jeffhochberg]

Oh I know the G5 doesn’t have GPS. I’m just frustrated with the fact that I’ve invested so much with Uniden over the years and it seems like nothing carries over from one device to another without requiring something else.

As much as I don’t like Whistler’s products, they don’t charge for DMR/NXDN.

I paid for the EDACS, DMR and NXDN licenses for my BCD436HP and they don’t transfer over. I understand the reason for this. It’s just that when you’re paying $650 for a top shelf scanner, I don’t feel that they should require separate licenses.

I bought the Uniden GPS receiver for my BCD436HP HO and I can’t use it without the need to buy an adapter for the SDS100.

Sentinel is weak sauce as far as programming software is concerned.

Uniden’s Support site/wiki is awful. Their registration page is stuck in the ‘90s (ColdFusion - really?).

My list of complaints continue to mount.

And I know how great the GPS scanning experience is...that’s why I wanted to use my receiver with the SDS100 on my first road trip since I bought it.

Now I see that the adapter cable is on backorder until late July/August. Not too far out I guess.

I’m sure things will improve with the SDS100. I just need to fork over the $$$ for everything and wait for a few more firmware updates before everything stabilizes from a software standpoint.

I’m just frustrated. Grumpy. Tired. Meh. Long week.

Ignore me!



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[jonwienke]

My turnaround is about a week if you put the GPS inside the scanner...

 

[buddrousa]

Jeff and I have 13 Uniden 996p2 536hp 436hp and sds100 with no PROVOICE why should I have to pay $700 for PROVOICE when I do not need it? It cost me over $2000.00 in upgrades to my NX5300 and those do not transfer and if you think that is high buy an APX8000 and buy the addons.

 

[jeffhochberg]

I know. Like I said....I’m just grumpy today.

I have several scanners, 2 DStar capable radios and a Motorola DMR. Several hotspots.... the list goes on.



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[jeffhochberg]

I won’t crack the case on the device while it’s still within the warranty. But I would like to send you my 436.


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[slicerwizard]

As much as I don’t like Whistler’s products, they don’t charge for DMR/NXDN.

And they don't trunk track DMR or NXDN.

 

[Jake68111]

What kind of reduced battery time do you experience with that internal GPS? Do I see a third light in your photos?

I've seen you (jonwienke) talk about it time and time again and am sooooo on the fence about it. Grrrrrrr..

What are the cons for having this done?

 

[jonwienke]

On the SDS100 the difference in battery life with GPS is about 4%.

The third LED is solid green when the GPS is on (which is on whenever the scanner is on), and flashes from green to red once a second when the scanner has a satellite lock. You don't need to have the scanner flash the alert LED when the screen is off, because the GPS LED already shows when the scanner is on.

 

[ShyFlyer]

I've seen you (jonwienke) talk about it time and time again and am sooooo on the fence about it. Grrrrrrr..

What are the cons for having this done?

I have a 436 with one of his internal GPS mods. If you frequently use your handheld in a vehicle while mobile, as I do with my 436, it is worth it's weight in gold. Seriously.

The only "con" I can think of is that your scanner's factory warranty is voided. I regret nothing.

 

[XLNTS]

What kind of reduced battery time do you experience with that internal GPS? Do I see a third light in your photos?

I've seen you (jonwienke) talk about it time and time again and am sooooo on the fence about it. Grrrrrrr..

What are the cons for having this done?

Where do I send my scanner to have this wizardry done?

 

[AK9R]

Where do I send my scanner to have this wizardry done?

I believe that jonwienke, who was performing these mods, is currently in prison (not for making the mods).

 

[cryppie]

With the high probability the sds will fail at some point, I would hold off on anything that would void the warranty.

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[maus92]

With the high probability the sds will fail at some point, I would hold off on anything that would void the warranty.

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Where did you pull that factoid from? I would however, wait for the warranty to expire before performing any mods as a general practice.