SDS100/SDS200: SDS100 Firmware 1.04.01M/1.01.05S Open Beta

[werinshades]

Will do, unfortunately, won't be close enough to site until July 30.

The LCN of 3 (LCN 1 & 2 was found this way)on the control channel was found when searching just a subset of freqs. Is search of groups of 5 or less a valid technique? Maybe the programming of the system was implemented using freqs from both sites? The freq I suspect is the control freq for site 2 is weak compared to the site 1 control freq.

This is a NXDN system correct? I find it unusual that the LCN's are numbered 1...2...3...etc. The two NXDN systems I've run LCN finder on, I always get Channel Numbers (21, 246 etc) and not consecutive LCN numbers like you're trying to figure out. The LCN format you're seeing, I usually see this in MotoTRBO trunking system. LCN is not the same between MotoTRBO and NXDN.

 

[Hit_Factor]

This is a NXDN system correct? I find it unusual that the LCN's are numbered 1...2...3...etc. The two NXDN systems I've run LCN finder on, I always get Channel Numbers (21, 246 etc) and not consecutive LCN numbers like you're trying to figure out. The LCN format you're seeing, I usually see this in MotoTRBO trunking system. LCN is not the same between MotoTRBO and NXDN.

Definitely NXDN (4800), the site's radio tech is a friend. I haven't asked for help because there is no fun in that. He stops by with a radio (comparing to what the SDS100 receives) occasionally to see how I'm doing. I'm learning as I go. So far, my Icom IC-R30 receives more of the traffic, but it doesn't know anything about trunking. I keep seeing progress, so I won't give up yet.

 

[wx5uif]

Most the NXDN systems here LCNs are numbered 1,2,3, etc.

I've been told by a friend that works on NXDN systems that if a place doesn't have any plans on multiple sites, or just a couple sites that do not use the same frequencies, then they will likely use a standard bandplan that would have numbers such as 401, 164, 323, etc.

However, for multiple sites, they like to just start off on Site 1 LCNs 1,2,3; Site 2 LCNs 4,5,6 and so on. The reasoning is that if the system has two sites that may have overlapping frequencies, then if the CC grants a TG to say channel 401 that radio only has 401 defined once which could only have one RAN assigned to it. Since from what I seen, the RAN follows the site number, so site 3 would have RAN 3. If two sites have LCN 401, the radio wouldn't have the capability to have two RANs programmed.

 

[W4ELL]

Hello all. Maybe this was mentioned already and I apologize if it was, but could someone point me in the right direction on how to install these firmware updates in Sentinel for my SDS100? I'm not real PC savvy so I have to depend on videos and/or assistance from fellow scanner enthusiasts in here. I already clicked on the link that Upman displayed, but now that they are on my desktop, I don't know how to apply them to sentinel or my SDS100?
I'm a quick learner. Once I've been told or shown how to install something, I can pretty much take care of things on my own after that. Thanks guys.....
-John-

If you aren't computer savvy, I would wait until the official release to do the update. That being said... I posted this earlier in this very thread:
http://forums.radioreference.com/un...-1-04-01m-1-01-05s-open-beta.html#post2968197

 

[N6ML]

Hello all. Maybe this was mentioned already and I apologize if it was, but could someone point me in the right direction on how to install these firmware updates in Sentinel for my SDS100? I'm not real PC savvy so I have to depend on videos and/or assistance from fellow scanner enthusiasts in here. I already clicked on the link that Upman displayed, but now that they are on my desktop, I don't know how to apply them to sentinel or my SDS100?
I'm a quick learner. Once I've been told or shown how to install something, I can pretty much take care of things on my own after that. Thanks guys.....
-John-

When you connect the SDS100 to your PC and select Mass Storage mode, as you would in order to use Sentinel, it appears as a "Drive" in Windows. You should be able to find it under "This PC" (assuming Windows 10). If you're not sure which drive it us, disconnect it, and see which drive disappears. Inside that drive, you should find a "BCDx36HP" folder. With that folder, you should find a "firmware" folder. Place the firmware files (extracted from the ZIP) in the "firmware" folder, then "Eject" the drive (right-click on it in "This PC" and select "Eject"). Then (with the USB cable still connected), hold the power button on the SDS100 for a second or two, and it should start the firmware update.

 

[jonwienke]

jonwienke can you post a debug file showing this faster speed please?

Here's a speed test favorite list--500 random frequencies between 380 and 512MHz, organized into 5 departments, labeled "Start/Stop" and "100" - "400". Delete the .txt off the filename after you download it.

Load the favorite list, disconnect your antenna, turn squelch up to 15, and hold on the "500-Channel Speed Test" system. Start your stopwatch as soon as you see "Start/Stop" appear on the screen. Let the scanner cycle through the list 10 times to minimize measurement errors, stopping the timer when you see "Start/Stop" the tenth time. 5000/(scan time) is your scan rate.

SDS100:
73.06s = 68.4 channels/second
This is slower than the previous test results I got a few firmware versions ago. But it's way faster than 25 channels/second.

436HP:
62.69s = 79.8 channels/second
This is very close to previous test results from about a year ago--80channels/second.

 

[policefreak]

Still Not Quite Right

Upon installing this latest firmware version I noticed right away that UHF sensitivity took a hit. Monitoring the county system that I am 7 miles away from nearest tower and approximately 1 mile away from the county line and intended coverage area...I would say that this firmware is way worse on that system. In the same positions as previous firmware using the same Larsen Triband fixed antenna or the portable UHF antenna-misses about 50% of transmissions (Flashes right through them...see video) and other transmissions are garbled or cut out.

Here's a link to the video:

https://youtu.be/PcAMINt1eqo


Error log:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/lxiz65tcar1ira5/log0307697.txt?dl=0

System being monitored (Medford Site)
https://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/?sid=1320


Monitoring my local phase 2 P25 system and the big city P25 Phase 1 system I've noticed a lessening of the choppy, garbled and at times unreadable transmissions. It's not perfect but markedly improved.

I'm still noticing overall in my area (which apparently I live in a bowl) and in other areas that there are several systems in the UHF T-Band and 800mhz range that other scanners can monitor, yet this scanner is totally deaf to.

 

[policefreak]

I should also notice with the latest firmware that RID capture has been improved but not perfect, especially on phase 2. RID alerts activation has also been improved but not perfect, especially on Phase 2.

 

[werinshades]

Definitely NXDN (4800), the site's radio tech is a friend. I haven't asked for help because there is no fun in that. He stops by with a radio (comparing to what the SDS100 receives) occasionally to see how I'm doing. I'm learning as I go. So far, my Icom IC-R30 receives more of the traffic, but it doesn't know anything about trunking. I keep seeing progress, so I won't give up yet.

Most the NXDN systems here LCNs are numbered 1,2,3, etc.

I've been told by a friend that works on NXDN systems that if a place doesn't have any plans on multiple sites, or just a couple sites that do not use the same frequencies, then they will likely use a standard bandplan that would have numbers such as 401, 164, 323, etc.

However, for multiple sites, they like to just start off on Site 1 LCNs 1,2,3; Site 2 LCNs 4,5,6 and so on. The reasoning is that if the system has two sites that may have overlapping frequencies, then if the CC grants a TG to say channel 401 that radio only has 401 defined once which could only have one RAN assigned to it. Since from what I seen, the RAN follows the site number, so site 3 would have RAN 3. If two sites have LCN 401, the radio wouldn't have the capability to have two RANs programmed.

I've been following along and not commenting, but noticed this and since you're having issues with NXDN, it's a possibility the LCN's are not correct. If you received this information from RRDB maybe start a thread asking additional information from a local user. I have a large NXDN system programmed and it's working perfectly so an issue with the firmware and NXDN would be ruled out.

You mentioned that the previous firmware is trunking NXDN ? I'm suspecting a minor programming issue that you're probably missing. I'd put both site frequencies in and run LCN finder when you're in range. Good luck, ad hope you get this resolved.

 

[vikingegfd]

Thanx, My last reply to you gave me the idea to download other peoples debug files. These show scan rates of 89 to 55 channels per second on other SDS-100 radios. So I am planning on taking care of this with Uniden based on this defect.

 

[UPMan]

What specifically are you scanning?

 

[jonwienke]

Thanx, My last reply to you gave me the idea to download other peoples debug files. These show scan rates of 89 to 55 channels per second on other SDS-100 radios. So I am planning on taking care of this with Uniden based on this defect.

I'm not sure your debug file test method is valid, given that most of the debug files submitted are for trunked systems, which do not scan the same as conventional. For consistency, you should use my speed test FL.

 

[vikingegfd]

UPman I assume you're asking me, analog conventional for the scan tests. Normally scanning full mix of trunked p25, aircraft, railroad, and analog conventional channels. Getting ready to run Jon's test file.

 

[werinshades]

I just discovered this while trying to review some recordings today, UID's are inconsistently being captured on playback but working perfectly during live transmissions.

 

[vikingegfd]

Well that was interesting, thanx to jonwienke for his patience, ran his test file then modified my test file into 2 new FL's with the same systems, depts and channels in it. (list contains several different conventional bands)

Results:
Jon's file ran 85 channels per second. All channels in closely related uhf bands?
my file sorted by name in each dept ran 23 channels per second. Skipping back and forth between bands.
my file sorted by frequency in each dept ran 50 channels per second. Much less band skipping.

Upman now understand J's comment on scan speed.
Am now happy and look forward to optimizing Favorites lists to increase scan speed.

Oh and I won't be using debug list to test scan speed anymore.

Anyone want to buy my WS-1040??

 

[jonwienke]

There is additional time required to switch bands when different RF input band filters are involved. So a sorted list that minimizes band changes will scan faster than a random one. My test list only covers a couple bands, but frequencies are in random order to roughly approximate the amount of band changes one would find scanning normal stuff.

 

[Ubbe]

RF input filters switch in microseconds, there's no capacitors involved in the chain that could delay the CPUs signals and there's no feedback available that could tell when the filters have switch succesfully anyhow.

Any delay during scan are from VCO/PLL frequency shifting and there you have a signal that says when the PLL have locked succesfully after a frequency change and it's time to check for a carrier detect as long as the integration time for the squelch has passed. Larger jumps in the PLL frequency will have its filter capacitor slowing down the VCO steering voltage and the PLL locked signal will be delayed and slow down the whole frequency shift.

/Ubbe

 

[jonwienke]

Perhaps you should explain that to UPMan.

 

[UPMan]

UPman I assume you're asking me, analog conventional for the scan tests. Normally scanning full mix of trunked p25, aircraft, railroad, and analog conventional channels. Getting ready to run Jon's test file.

Ok, that answers "what, generally, were you scanning".



What, specifically, were you scanning for the scan tests? Best answered with an hpe file.

EDIT: Nevermind: Reading further found that you determined the answer (which is what I suspected). Scan speed is spec'd based on minimal band jumping.

 

[UPMan]

Upon installing this latest firmware version I noticed right away that UHF sensitivity took a hit. Monitoring the county system that I am 7 miles away from nearest tower and approximately 1 mile away from the county line and intended coverage area...I would say that this firmware is way worse on that system. In the same positions as previous firmware using the same Larsen Triband fixed antenna or the portable UHF antenna-misses about 50% of transmissions (Flashes right through them...see video) and other transmissions are garbled or cut out.

Here's a link to the video:

https://youtu.be/PcAMINt1eqo


Error log:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/lxiz65tcar1ira5/log0307697.txt?dl=0

System being monitored (Medford Site)
https://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/?sid=1320


Monitoring my local phase 2 P25 system and the big city P25 Phase 1 system I've noticed a lessening of the choppy, garbled and at times unreadable transmissions. It's not perfect but markedly improved.

I'm still noticing overall in my area (which apparently I live in a bowl) and in other areas that there are several systems in the UHF T-Band and 800mhz range that other scanners can monitor, yet this scanner is totally deaf to.

Try again with END CODE set to either Analog or Ignore and advise if it affects the issue.