SDS100 Extreme Noise on UHF & VHF While Driving

[werinshades]

I do appreciate the info on RFI. cheap usb cables, car computers, and everything else that can cause noise on a radio. But the fact of the matter is this noise has Not been an issue with all the other scanners I've had in this vehicle with the same driving conditions.

I know that analog is noisy. I know interference can and will be picked up on such a receiver. But the problem is the crackling static is so much more pronounced (compared to all other scanners I've had in the car) that it distracts from the voice transmissions. Maybe it's just my old ears. Listen to the attached and see what you think.
The attached recording is while driving in the car only a couple miles from KenCom towers, scanner in hand with stock antenna and nothing attached, and all electronics off (other than car running in motion). And this is Not the worst I've heard. But it does at least, to my ears, really exaggerate the noise to me.

So this is pretty much my last complaint of the issue from me. Just wanted to post this audio and if you all think I'm crazy. It's cool. I already have my 996p2 back in the car and barely notice any static. I'll just carry along the SDS100 once in awhile for digital listening.
Thanks again all!

Yep...that's analog all right! Sounds the same as my other 3 handheld scanners, but a 996P2 is a mobile/desktop, which will never sound the same. I understand it quite easily, and all my scanners I use Volume Offset to +3 to give it the maximum volume if needed.

 

[AKJohnny]

Yep...that's analog all right! Sounds the same as my other 3 handheld scanners, but a 996P2 is a mobile/desktop, which will never sound the same. I understand it quite easily, and all my scanners I use Volume Offset to +3 to give it the maximum volume if needed.

Doesn't sound that bad on my 436, trx-1, 396t, pro-106, 330t, etc. But Ok.

Edit: Listening to this thru my computer speaker isn't quite the same as thru the scanner speaker. We can let this thread die, OK by me. But the crackling static I hear thru this scanner is way more pronounced than any of my other "handheld" scanners. Period.
Later.

 

[werinshades]

Doesn't sound that bad on my 436, trx-1, 396t, pro-106, 330t, etc. But Ok.

Speaker has a little more treble and a tad more sensitivity than my 396T, 39XT 436hp. I can understand what she's saying, but my ears are trained I guess. I use mine in my car all the time, just was out before reading your post and listening to CPD's 460mhz vs Starcom, Midway 800 Mhz., Southwest Airlines DMR, Diga-Talk NXDN...there's definitely a difference. SDS 100 sounds good to me on your recording.

 

[MartyF81]

Your not crazy, I have put my 436 back in my truck. I hear the same thing with KENCOM channels. I was sitting in the Target parking lot across the street from KENCOM yesterday and could hardly understand them. Every other scanner I have does not have this issue at all.

 

[AKJohnny]

Your not crazy, I have put my 436 back in my truck. I hear the same thing with KENCOM channels. I was sitting in the Target parking lot across the street from KENCOM yesterday and could hardly understand them. Every other scanner I have does not have this issue at all.

Thanks for confirming I'm not going insane.

 

[jonwienke]

The biggest problem is that using a whip/duck antenna inside the vehicle is basically giving your scanner a RFI "dutch oven" (the urbandictionary sort)--the signal you want is being blocked by the vehicle body, and any RFI signals generated in the vehicle cabin are trapped inside by the body. It's double-plus ungood.

Get the antenna outside the vehicle, and most of your problems will go away, even if it's a cheap glass-mount Tram.

 

[MartyF81]

It doesn't happen exclusively in the vehicle.. and also and most importanly.. doesn't happen with the 436. I had mentioned earlier... I have been standing in the middle of a giant field and have it happen. Cop standing next to me in his handheld... clear as day. My 436, clear as day. SDS100... Sounds like that audio AKJohnny Attached.

This is at 453mhz channel also. So its not like are talking real low band or real high band either.

 

[werinshades]

I think the both of you should return it if you're not satisfied. I heard the "crackling or static" which I also have heard in my previous scanners while traveling. One other thing to note is each analog system is...signal strength may vary etc. Other users in Illinois and Chicago like myself are happy with the scanner and I would have said otherwise if it sounded bad.

I live by Midway airport, and when I'm on a certain corner of the airport, my reception briefly suffers due to all the navigation equipment on all the handhelds I've owned.

Maybe make a debug file for UPMan to review and if it's correctable, Uniden may add it in future firmware. That's about it I can think of.

 

[jonwienke]

It doesn't happen exclusively in the vehicle.. and also and most importanly.. doesn't happen with the 436. I had mentioned earlier... I have been standing in the middle of a giant field and have it happen. Cop standing next to me in his handheld... clear as day. My 436, clear as day. SDS100... Sounds like that audio AKJohnny Attached.

Which one, the first, or the second one with phone RFI? Did you have your phone on you when you were out in the field and heard the noise?

What RSSI value when you hear the noise? Were both scanners connected to the same antenna when the SDS100 had the noise and the 436 did not?

 

[MartyF81]

I never said I wasn't satisfied. Infact, I have said multiple times... I am very satisfied.

Clearly something isn't quite right because 2 scanners (SDS100 and 436) in the exact same environment are producing a different sound when listening to them next to each other. I have been listening to this channel in the same 2 places for a LONG time and never had this. It is a big difference, in fact such a big difference I noticed it immediately upon turning it on and listening for less than 10 mins.

However, this area is a "Tech Support" area. Which I believe the purpose is to talk about what we are experiencing in hopes to improve, diagnose, and maybe even resolve the situations. That is why UPMan engages in these areas I believe? If nobody gives feedback to improve or diagnose... how are things supposed to get better?

 

[werinshades]

I never said I wasn't satisfied. Infact, I have said multiple times... I am very satisfied.

Clearly something isn't quite right because 2 scanners (SDS100 and 436) in the exact same environment are producing a different sound when listening to them next to each other. I have been listening to this channel in the same 2 places for a LONG time and never had this. It is a big difference, in fact such a big difference I noticed it immediately upon turning it on and listening for less than 10 mins.

However, this area is a "Tech Support" area. Which I believe the purpose is to talk about what we are experiencing in hopes to improve, diagnose, and maybe even resolve the situations. That is why UPMan engages in these areas I believe? If nobody gives feedback to improve or diagnose... how are things supposed to get better?

If the issue is isolated, a debug file is the way to go. I hope you do it and they find something correctable and make this scanner even better.

 

[jonwienke]

Clearly something isn't quite right because 2 scanners (SDS100 and 436) in the exact same environment are producing a different sound when listening to them next to each other.

The reason I ask about RSSI is to consider the possibility that the SDS100 duck isn't as good as the 436 antenna on the particular frequency you're monitoring, or that it isn't making a good connection.

Also what firmware are you running? The initial release, or the new open beta?

 

[srpawski]

https://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/scanants/0204.html

I bought one of these and got it last Friday. I had a chance to briefly test it yesterday when I went across town to Starbucks. It works quite well. Most of my area is analog yet and I didn't notice any more static than what I do when I am sitting in my living room listening.

 

[radio3353]

https://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/scanants/0204.html

I bought one of these and got it last Friday. I had a chance to briefly test it yesterday when I went across town to Starbucks. It works quite well. Most of my area is analog yet and I didn't notice any more static than what I do when I am sitting in my living room listening.

Does that SMA plug fit into the SDS100's recessed SMA connector or is a F-M adapter needed? Thanks.

 

[srpawski]

I take that back...

I have the MFJ adaptor mentioned above for my hand held HT and that fits like a glove as that is SMA. I have the BNC version of the Opek and it connects fine with the Uniden supplied BNC to SMA adaptor.

Sorry for the mispost on my part.

 

[srpawski]

Ok, reference my post above.

I have a couple of different standard PL259 to male SMA adaptors for my amateur HT radios, and I can confirm that both of those adaptors fine without issue into the SDS 100 SMA jack. That said, I would imagine the SMA version of the Opek adaptor I linked to above will work with the SDS 100 without issue, however, can not guarantee it.

 

[radio3353]

Ok, reference my post above.

I have a couple of different standard PL259 to male SMA adaptors for my amateur HT radios, and I can confirm that both of those adaptors fine without issue into the SDS 100 SMA jack. That said, I would imagine the SMA version of the Opek adaptor I linked to above will work with the SDS 100 without issue, however, can not guarantee it.

OK. Thanks for the clarification. I just recall reading elsewhere that a standard male SMA connector will not fit into the well around the SDS100's connector. Anybody ordering the product you mentioned will need to order an adapter also if they don't have one on-hand.

 

[srpawski]

I'd just advise anyone to get the BNC version to be on the safe side as it works no different than using the SMA to BNC antenna adaptor even though an SMA version does appear to fit without issue. I'm quite positive the SMA connectors used for ham are the same ones that Opek and anyone else would be using on their setups for a window mount scanner antenna.

 

[JLM7424]

Is the scanner plugged in charging while driving ? you may be experiencing alternator or fuel injector noise

 

[AKJohnny]

SDS100 Extreme Noise on UHF & VHF While Driving

The reason I ask about RSSI is to consider the possibility that the SDS100 duck isn't as good as the 436 antenna on the particular frequency you're monitoring, or that it isn't making a good connection.



Also what firmware are you running? The initial release, or the new open beta?

As for me, the RSSI is average -75 around town. I’ve tried all scanners using same mobile try-band roof antenna on car and my SDS100 exaggerates the static more than the others. The SDS100 has much more clear sound on analog and I like that, but unfortunately it makes my ears focus on the static and distracts me. AND I do believe it’s static that’s always there no matter what scanner is used, but the others just seem to filter it out better.
Edit: I’m not on the beta firmware yet but will try soon.