SDS100/SDS200: SDS100 no audio

[ChicagoRadio736]

Anyone experience their radio no longer picking up signals? My SDS100 is not receiving audio. When I look at the screen, I can see the meter at full bars while scanning but not stopping on any transmissions. I put a P25 frequency in the radio and keyed up om my portable in the same room and the SDS100 is not receiving the signal. When I put it next to my SDS200 programmed the exact same way my SDS200 is stopping and picking up signals but the SDS100 is not stopping on signals during scan even though the signal bar is full. Speaker is fine because I hear the keypad beeps with no problems.

 

[a417]

I put a P25 frequency in the radio and keyed up om my portable in the same room and the SDS100 is not receiving the signal.

This is terrible practice, and is non-diagnostic - despite you thinking it might be. Transmitting into the immediate proximity a receiving antenna causes front end overload and makes the receiver unreliable. At high enough wattages, you can damage hardware. Don't do it. Were you transmitting in P25 on the frequency? If you weren't, or it was different configuration, your scanner wouldn't decode.

Does your SDS100 receive NOAA All hazards broadcasts? Try picking up a weather channel.

 

[doctordialtone]

I hear the keypad beeps with no problems.

1st thing I'd try is a new SD card. A flaky card can cause weird problems.

Good luck.

 

[ChicagoRadio736]

This is terrible practice, and is non-diagnostic - despite you thinking it might be. Transmitting into the immediate proximity a receiving antenna causes front end overload and makes the receiver unreliable. At high enough wattages, you can damage hardware. Don't do it. Were you transmitting in P25 on the frequency? If you weren't, or it was different configuration, your scanner wouldn't decode.

Does your SDS100 receive NOAA All hazards broadcasts? Try picking up a weather channel.

My Scanner was more than 30 feet away and I was only doing 2 watts on a P25 portable so no issues there. I did pop in all 3 weather transmitters and again the signal bar is there but no audio. turned up my key beeps to 10 just to make sure it wasn't the speaker out.

 

[nessnet]

a417 asked the right question...

Does it pick up ANYTHING?
(Check WX)

If no, off to Uniden it goes...

It is always good practice to customize your screen(s) and have D-error and RSSI displayed.
They will tell you a lot...

 

[ChicagoRadio736]

a417 asked the right question...

Does it pick up ANYTHING?
(Check WX)a

If no, off to Uniden it goes...

Yeah, it doesn't stop on anything I guess I will send it out tomorrow.

 

[a417]

My Scanner was more than 30 feet away and I was only doing 2 watts on a P25 portable so no issues there.

...off to the mothership it goes.

 

[tvengr]

If the RSSI value shows -40dbm, you have the cold solder joint problem.

 

[ChicagoRadio736]

If the RSSI value shows -40dbm, you have the cold solder joint problem.

I will look at that when I get home Thanks!!!!

 

[mirrorboy]

Anyone experience their radio no longer picking up signals? My SDS100 is not receiving audio. When I look at the screen, I can see the meter at full bars while scanning but not stopping on any transmissions. I put a P25 frequency in the radio and keyed up om my portable in the same room and the SDS100 is not receiving the signal. When I put it next to my SDS200 programmed the exact same way my SDS200 is stopping and picking up signals but the SDS100 is not stopping on signals during scan even though the signal bar is full. Speaker is fine because I hear the keypad beeps with no problems.

same exact thing here

 

[ChicagoRadio736]

If the RSSI value shows -40dbm, you have the cold solder joint problem.

 

[werinshades]

View attachment 156811

Bring the squelch down to 2.

 

[tvengr]

Bring the squelch down to 2.

Squelch should normally be set at 2. If that doesn't help, you definitely have the cold solder joint problem from the RSSI indication. A signal strength that high would break squelch anyway.

 

[ChicagoRadio736]

It was set a 2 from the beginning.

 

[jtwalker]

It was set a 2 from the beginning.

It is set at 7 in the picture you posted...

 

[ChicagoRadio736]

It's at 7 because I was playing with it trying to figure out the issue, but it was set to 2 when the issue started.

 

[tvengr]

I will look at that when I get home Thanks!!!!

It looks like your SDS100 will need to make a trip to Uniden. The cold solder joint problem has reared its ugly head many times and the -40dbm RSSI reading is the definitive indication if it.

 

[R0am3r]

If the RSSI value shows -40dbm, you have the cold solder joint problem.

I agree with the general assessment - the OPs radio has multiple symptoms of a cold solder joint and should be sent to Uniden.

I always wondered where the -40dBm RSSI metric came from. Does every cold solder joint issue always display this exact value? I'm asking because I have seen stronger values on my SDS100. I drive by two P25 towers when commuting to work and my SDS100 will display RSSI values of -30dBm while tuned to the control channel. My radio works properly despite the RSSI values.

 

[tvengr]

I always wondered where the -40dBm RSSI metric came from. Does every cold solder joint issue always display this exact value?

There was a particular solder joint problem in the manufacturing process which causes the -40dbm RSSI reading no matter what the actual signal strength. Other solder joint problems will display different symptoms.

 

[ChicagoRadio736]

After I made thread, I put my scanner away to be shipped to Uniden. I actually forgot about it until this morning because I use Motorola radios for scanning plus a SDS200. Well, went to pack it up and said to myself let me just turn it on and just like that its working again perfectly. I did not change any settings it wasn't working for days before I put it away. Lets see how long lol