SDS100/SDS200: SDS100 Issues to be aware of out of the box?

[Aviation_Scanner]

You'd be much better off with something along the lines of a BC125AT versus the SDS100 for ATC comms

I don't listen to ATC exclusively but with that being said, I can keep my Radio Shack Pro-164 to listen in on ATC, as it picks up VHF frequencies with no issues.

 

[BinaryMode]

Uniden have put a preamplifier in the scanner and adjusted its gain to make it as sensitive as their other scanners. A BCD536 and SDS100 with squelch set at 2 open up at -119dBm and their 5:th signal bar lights up at -96dBm using FM mode. So that looks fine at the test bench. SDS100 uses a SDR receiver chip that has a lot of internal interference and image frequencies that makes it receive a transmitter at a totally different frequency that makes that other frequency be interfered or even dead. It will also desense much quicker than any other scanner as the SDR receiver chip isn't as sensitive as other scanners and need that preamp but then also makes it overload much easier.

The end result will depend of how much other signals you have in that frequency band and how strong those are, if you use a better antenna that has some gain or an external antenna that produce many more and stronger signals.

The SDS100 uses a DSP to demodulate signals and has been programmed to use a correct narrow bandwidth for AM and have a great audio quality in AM, too bad that it's RF performance are not up to the same level.

/Ubbe

And this is exactly why (well, one reason) I didn't pick up an SDS even though I had the cash to do so. I bought P2 scanners instead. Now I learn the P2's are hard to use with simulcast, but thankfully that's not an issue for my area - yet. Who knows what the tax payers, I mean the future brings... One moment it's phase I P25 and the next it could be phase II P25 or LTE.

 

[smcbmt]

None to speak of for me. Just update the database and firmware when you receive it. The SDS-100/SDS-200 are not for Air Band or below. if you don’t need the ability to handle simulcasting buy the BCD436HP. If you don’t need trunking at all buy the BCD160DN. The 125AT is good but can’t receive full military air. I own the SDs-100, BCD536HP, BCD160DN, BC895XLT.

 

[Aviation_Scanner]

Just placed my order for an SDS100.
Look forward to getting it.
I may just keep ATC frequencies on my Radioshack Pro-164, as it receives VHF frequencies with no issues.

 

[R0am3r]

I have compared my SDS scanners with my BCT15X on VHF airband frequencies. Using a common outdoor antenna and a multicoupler (e.g, Electroline), I find very little difference between the two scanners. Many of the users who claim the SDS scanners have poor reception on VHF are probably using the stock antenna(s).

 

[KK4JUG]

I have compared my SDS scanners with my BCT15X on VHF airband frequencies. Using a common outdoor antenna and a multicoupler (e.g, Electroline), I find very little difference between the two scanners. Many of the users who claim the SDS scanners have poor reception on VHF are probably using the stock antenna(s).

That's probably true. When I used it on the road, I had a cheap inexpensive Tram antenna on the right front fender. It routinely picked signals 50+ miles away. Admittedly, it was pretty open country most of the time, though.

 

[dmfalk]

Definitely don't rely on a stock antenna to judge performance! The best way to compare is to use the same antenna across all receivers, and the SDS100 is actually on par with others, and, with the right antenna, it actually does quite well with airband scanning.

(I use a Comet W100RX with SMA connector, which is actually compatible with the SDS100's SMA mount.)

 

[Aviation_Scanner]

Definitely don't rely on a stock antenna to judge performance! The best way to compare is to use the same antenna across all receivers, and the SDS100 is actually on par with others, and, with the right antenna, it actually does quite well with airband scanning.

(I use a Comet W100RX with SMA connector, which is actually compatible with the SDS100's SMA mount.)

Will keep that in mind.
I will try scanning with the stock antenna first and then upgrading the antenna if the stock one doesn't fit my needs.

 

[GadgetGeek]

you will probably feel some heat around the antenna.
many have said it here, and mine is the same.

The sma to bnc adapter I put on acts as a heat sink. Yeah, it does get warm.

 

[KE4ZNR]

I have compared my SDS scanners with my BCT15X on VHF airband frequencies. Using a common outdoor antenna and a multicoupler (e.g, Electroline), I find very little difference between the two scanners. Many of the users who claim the SDS scanners have poor reception on VHF are probably using the stock antenna(s).

A wise radio geek once told me "scanner reception is 60% antenna, 30% radio and 10% blind luck". I have found that to be the case. One of my 2 SDS-200s sits in my kitchen monitoring only VHF/UHF aviation frequencies. Using a mag mount indoor antenna my SDS 200 rivals my Pro 2006 in terms of aviation reception. They both do very well considering I am 20+ mins away from KRDU here in Central NC.
Those that complain about VHF/UHF reception in the SDS line of scanners have likely not fine tuned their SDS scanners in those bands or are not using a decent antenna.