SDS100/SDS200: SDS100 impressions/filters

[Mike445]

After using the SDS100 extensively and non stop for 3 days I can say it’s a great radio. I love my 436 and 536 and this radio will fit in very nicely.

At first I would say the 436 was more sensitive but after some field testing (properly tuned antennas/filters) I will say my SDS is identical to the 436 in sensitivity.

I initially tested with the filters off in mid town Toronto on several fringe frequencies in each band. The performance was not good. I did the test over and over with each filter (aside from auto). The differences were astounding! The best filter on all frequencies tested was invert. Many of the frequencies wouldn’t even come through when filters were off. The second best performer was wide invert. The normal filter was better than off but not near as good as invert. I tried the same test in Markham (north of Toronto) and got the same results.

I’ll be trying the same test this weekend in Lewiston NY. The antenna being used is a Diamond RH789 tuned to each band being tested.

Has anyone else tried anything similar? What were your results. I’m just trying to get a better sense of the filters and their performance. So far for me I leave it in global invert with fantastic results!!

Mike


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[shabec]

Has any of your band test involve the aircraft band? If so was invert a good choice?

 

[Mike445]

Yes I tested aircraft band to some extent and invert worked amazingly!! I will do more tests on air band when I can get a constant distant signal (atis etc).
Mike


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[werinshades]

After using the SDS100 extensively and non stop for 3 days I can say it’s a great radio. I love my 436 and 536 and this radio will fit in very nicely.

At first I would say the 436 was more sensitive but after some field testing (properly tuned antennas/filters) I will say my SDS is identical to the 436 in sensitivity.

I initially tested with the filters off in mid town Toronto on several fringe frequencies in each band. The performance was not good. I did the test over and over with each filter (aside from auto). The differences were astounding! The best filter on all frequencies tested was invert. Many of the frequencies wouldn’t even come through when filters were off. The second best performer was wide invert. The normal filter was better than off but not near as good as invert. I tried the same test in Markham (north of Toronto) and got the same results.

I’ll be trying the same test this weekend in Lewiston NY. The antenna being used is a Diamond RH789 tuned to each band being tested.

Has anyone else tried anything similar? What were your results. I’m just trying to get a better sense of the filters and their performance. So far for me I leave it in global invert with fantastic results!!

Mike


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That's the best method...trial and error. I have done the same on both SDS 100 & 200.

 

[Mike445]

That's the best method...trial and error. I have done the same on both SDS 100 & 200.

Did you find anything similar to me or are multiple filters working for you?


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[FoeHammer]

I'm thinking of getting a 100 , down here in Windsor ,..we have alot of DMR & NXDN on uhf here , Do you have those ? & does it track properly with no missed calls ?

 

[werinshades]

Did you find anything similar to me or are multiple filters working for you?


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Multiple filters are being used. The Global Filter is set to Wide Normal, but I am using Wide Invert with Attenuator on a P25 Phase 1 Trunking System, and some of the analog systems are different too.

 

[werinshades]

I'm thinking of getting a 100 , down here in Windsor ,..we have alot of DMR & NXDN on uhf here , Do you have those ? & does it track properly with no missed calls ?

Yes, I have both DMR & NXDN and they both trunk track strong signal's without issues. Keep in mind, "marginal" signal strength systems are hit or miss and are more susceptible to interference.

 

[Mike445]

I'm thinking of getting a 100 , down here in Windsor ,..we have alot of DMR & NXDN on uhf here , Do you have those ? & does it track properly with no missed calls ?

I have both DMR and NXDN upgrades. They work very well from what I can tell. The audio is very clear and it seems to follow every conversation without issue.


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[policefreak]

Yea it really is a trial and error thing. It seems to depends on what type of system it is (conventional, P25, EDACS [yes we still have that here], Motorola Type II), the band (VHF OR 800MHZ), what kind of interference is around you (cell towers, another strong channel in the same band), and your proximity to the desired channel. Lately I've tested on the same systems in different locations and gotten completely different results as to what filter works best. Glad you are enjoying the scanner and putting it through its paces.

 

[Mike445]

Yea it really is a trial and error thing. It seems to depends on what type of system it is (conventional, P25, EDACS [yes we still have that here], Motorola Type II), the band (VHF OR 800MHZ), what kind of interference is around you (cell towers, another strong channel in the same band), and your proximity to the desired channel. Lately I've tested on the same systems in different locations and gotten completely different results as to what filter works best. Glad you are enjoying the scanner and putting it through its paces.

Thank you. I love it. It goes well with my collection...from memory Pro 96(still useful for some applications), PSR-800 with Whistler upgrade, Whistler TRX-1, BCD436HP, BCD536HP, Beartracker 885, BCT15X, BCD996T and the new SDS100. There are more I can’t remember. [emoji23][emoji23] most of them are put up now.

I honestly thought that I would have found different filters would’ve worked better from my work location to my home location. I suppose they aren’t that far apart, about 10 miles. One of the most interesting findings was standing outside at work and being able to pick up the weather radio station in Buffalo New York with the invert and wide invert filters...better with the invert...but not at all with the rest or off. I’m gonna head out now and try and do some air band testing if I can pick anything up. Maybe some 2m and 70cm ham comparisons. It’s storming here so there might be chatter.


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[TailGator911]

Just goes to show you how different each user's circumstances are. Inverted Global just about shut me down, couldn't receive anything. After a few hours over one weekend I figured that OFF was the best setting for me. I use IFX sort of like PBT on an Icom (Pass Band Tuning) when I am trying to bring in a distant signal. Each user, each scanner, each geographical location, each set of circumstances is different, so no one can suggest any particular filter for anyone else. Definitely user friendly, in more ways than one.

JD
kf4anc

 

[Mike445]

Just goes to show you how different each user's circumstances are. Inverted Global just about shut me down, couldn't receive anything. After a few hours over one weekend I figured that OFF was the best setting for me. I use IFX sort of like PBT on an Icom (Pass Band Tuning) when I am trying to bring in a distant signal. Each user, each scanner, each geographical location, each set of circumstances is different, so no one can suggest any particular filter for anyone else. Definitely user friendly, in more ways than one.

JD
kf4anc

It’s so interesting! I’m excited to see what results I have tomorrow on the Niagara County NY simulcast system from my place in Lewiston. I am receiving it pretty well on my 436. I had to set digital threshold to manual and the level 27. It seems to have worked very well for my stationary scanner. It’ll be interesting to see what settings I will be using on the SDS100.
Mike


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[TailGator911]

When I was in 4th grade we had a science project to do, with a partner, no doubt to teach us the advantages of team-work. My partner and I had similar interests and we decided to build a pair of Heathkit crystal radios. We dialed in shortwave broadcast systems on our separate radios while on the phone one night. Mine was crap, I couldn't hear anything worthwhile. My partner was hearing BBC, Radio Japan, and VOA but mine would not respond. We traded the next day and his (mine) radio took a dump and my (his) radio was bringing in all of the major shortwave stations. Same radio. Same antenna. Different locations. An important lesson learned that day. The bug bit me then, and I have been chasing signal ever since. It's all about the waves. Right place right time.

JD
kf4anc

 

[Mike445]

When I was in 4th grade we had a science project to do, with a partner, no doubt to teach us the advantages of team-work. My partner and I had similar interests and we decided to build a pair of Heathkit crystal radios. We dialed in shortwave broadcast systems on our separate radios while on the phone one night. Mine was crap, I couldn't hear anything worthwhile. My partner was hearing BBC, Radio Japan, and VOA but mine would not respond. We traded the next day and his (mine) radio took a dump and my (his) radio was bringing in all of the major shortwave stations. Same radio. Same antenna. Different locations. An important lesson learned that day. The bug bit me then, and I have been chasing signal ever since. It's all about the waves. Right place right time.

JD
kf4anc

Funny!! I was always in a short wave radio for as long as I can remember. I’m talking pretty much toddler. It started with my dads old CB...(to this day I still have a CB radio in my cars). My neighbor across the street had an old-school Radio Shack scanner. I was like 10 years old. He let me borrow it during an air show and that’s what started me off on scanners. I always tell myself I’m not going to buy another new one [emoji23][emoji23][emoji23] On the bright side my ICOM IC-R-10 which I’ve had since the 90’s is still my primary shortwave/general receiver. I’ve saved money there. [emoji23][emoji23] I have a CRAZY amount of scanners though. The SDS100 being my newest. If they ever build a remote head for the 200 I will buy it and replace the 536 in my car. I would do it now but the 200 will not fit where I have put the 536. I will attach a picture below for you to see what I mean.

Unfortunately there’s not much more I can do testing the filters out until I get across the border to Lewiston New York later this morning. I’m just listening to local systems for the time being.

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[Mike445]

Well here I am in Niagara County NY in Lewiston. I hooked the 436 and SDS100 up side by side with stock antennas. The 100 SLAUGHTERED the 436. Totally murdered it. Here the best filter is normal. Invert attenuated the signal to the point of missing transmissions. Now when I hook the 436 up to an external magnet mount antenna it did a much better job of picking up the Niagara, simulcast system. Almost in line with the 100 with stock antenna. I now have the SDS100 hooked to the external antenna and everything is wall to wall signal with normal filter. Sounds like Customs and Border Protection is testing out new repeaters at Lewiston Bridge.
Mike


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[werinshades]

Just goes to show you how different each user's circumstances are. Inverted Global just about shut me down, couldn't receive anything. After a few hours over one weekend I figured that OFF was the best setting for me. I use IFX sort of like PBT on an Icom (Pass Band Tuning) when I am trying to bring in a distant signal. Each user, each scanner, each geographical location, each set of circumstances is different, so no one can suggest any particular filter for anyone else. Definitely user friendly, in more ways than one.
kf4anc

You do know that you can change individual settings by Site/Department? Some here get confused and think Global is as far as it goes. You can set Global to Off, and other systems/departments might need a tweak.

 

[Mike445]

You do know that you can change individual settings by Site/Department? Some here get confused and think Global is as far as it goes. You can set Global to Off, and other systems/departments might need a tweak.

I knew that but I haven’t done that yet. I’ve only dabbled with the global filters. Later today I might start setting individual filters to the Saia Net DMR system to see if I can improve the reception some.
Mike


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[werinshades]

I knew that but I haven’t done that yet. I’ve only dabbled with the global filters. Later today I might start setting individual filters to the Saia Net DMR system to see if I can improve the reception some.
Mike


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A good example is you can set Global to OFF, then go into a a trunking system Site Level and you'll have an option to change the Filter for that site only. At the analog level, this can be done at the Department level (this has made my SDS scanners receive equal or better than previous models).

If you do find yourself making changes which made significant improvements, open up Sentinel and do a Read from Scanner/Save. Global will remain at Off and any system/department filter setting changes you made will be saved.

 

[Mike445]

A good example is you can set Global to OFF, then go into a a trunking system Site Level and you'll have an option to change the Filter for that site only. At the analog level, this can be done at the Department level (this has made my SDS scanners receive equal or better than previous models).

If you do find yourself making changes which made significant improvements, open up Sentinel and do a Read from Scanner/Save. Global will remain at Off and any system/department filter setting changes you made will be saved.

I’m going to start doing that for my favorite lists. Determining the best filter for each site and conventional frequency.

I’m constantly editing in both the radio and Sentinel reading and writing to sync.

Now I DO have a question... when I travel and use the full database where should I start filter wise? I’m going to Lake George New York in a couple weeks and won’t have time to play with filters to determine which is the best. It’s pretty much all analog conventional. I’m going to bring the 100 not the 436.
Mike


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