SDS100/SDS200: SDS100 Noob help

[Jenni5637]

I am new to scanners and got an SDS100 for xmas. Way more than I probably need but not sure. I am not sure if I need Pro voice/DMR/NDX to get it working properly. I am located in Duke Center PA. I have loaded McKean 42 into the scanner with sentinel and there are times it stops on a channel and I see Data/Link on the screen but no sound. This is a very rural area and I am not sure if I possibly need a better antenna or something else. Any help or guidance is appreciated. I have looked for tutorial on the SDS100 but have not found anything too helpful except using sentinel. Are there any good tutorial out there?
Thank you in advance.

 

[dave3825]

Your counties main page does not show any DMR, NXDN or Provoice, the 3 digital upgrades.

In trunked systems, this is what's listed with only one being NXDN. If nothing on that system is of any interest to you, then you do not need any of those 3 upgrades.

FCI Mckean P25	Project 25 Phase II	Bradford
Federal Correctional Institution McKean	Motorola Type II Smartnet	Bradford
Industrial Electronics (448)	NXDN NEXEDGE 9600	Regional
PA-STARNet: Pennsylvania Statewide Radio Network	Project 25 Phase II	Statewide

There could be DMR and NXDN in use in your county that nobody has submitted to the database. There could be NXDN, DMR Provoice in use in your surrounding counties.

You should take a look at your county and the surrounding counties to see if anything of interest stands out.


You should also connect your scanner to Sentinel and read it, then update master database and write back to the scanner so if your using the zip code feature, the scanner has the most current data.

 

[Jenni5637]

Thanks Dave. I'm thinking I may need a better antenna then. I have wrote back the full database to the scanner also. I have tried the zip code feature but all I have heard is catt county NY because I am close to that area.

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

I have loaded McKean 42 into the scanner with sentinel and there are times it stops on a channel and I see Data/Link on the screen but no sound

I take it you mean these?

PA-STARNet: Pennsylvania Statewide Radio Network TG Category: McKean County (42)

PA-STARNet: Pennsylvania Statewide Radio Network TG Category: McKean County (42) Details

www.radioreference.com

You'll need to turn on the Fire-Tac & Fire-Talk service types to bring in your county's fire talkgroups (see "Tag" column in the RRDB) These two service types are not enabled by default. Also keep in mind your law enforcement is fully encrypted as are PSP (mode "TE") so you won't be able to track them. This is probably what you're coming across when you describe it stopping on a channel but hearing no sound so it'd be best to permanent avoid law enforcement talkgroups. Welcome to the forums!

 

[ce2576]

Looks like ALL law enforcement in your county (including state police) are encrypted. Note that the TG's for law enforcement are listed as TE. The 'E' meaning encrypted

That's likely why you are not hearing anything. Fire/EMS in your area is in the clear, presuming nothing has changed in that regard since the database was last updated for your area

There is one NXDN system in your area: Industrial Electronics (448)

On the DMR side, this system is being used in parts of PA: Mid-Atlantic Digital Radio Network.

Don't waste your money on ProVoice. Quote from another thread regarding ProVoice: "It's an outdated radio system type. I think there are less than 2 dozen systems nationwide."

 

[Jenni5637]

Thanks Whisky3JMC, I did have the service types enabled and I do know that law enforcement is encrypted. Do you think it could be an antenna issue?

 

[tvengr]

Please attach your favorites list file so we can take a look at it to check for errors. In Sentinel, click on the File tab and Export to hpe file (Favorites List). You will need to zip the exported file to be able to attach it. Click on Attach files and open the zipped file.

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

Do you think it could be an antenna issue?

How many bars of signal are you getting? Are said law enforcement talkgroups permanently avoided as I suggested in my previous post?

 

[dmfalk]

First, then antenna. The one that comes with the SDS100 is crap, so I'd definitely suggest getting a new antenna. There are quite a few that can be had for around $30 that'll perform much better. (I personally use a Comet W100RX, SMA mount, but that's just my choice.)

Second, the DMR, NXDN and ProVoice upgrades: I'd definitely get DMR and NXDN, and only get the ProVoice if you just want to have it "just in case" (such as when travelling). There's also a Waterfall upgrade, which allows you to explore a frequency range visually, and see if there's something there you're not aware of. Handy, but not required.

Thirdly, there are plenty of videos on YouTube about how to use the SDS100. (Enough to give one a headache, though they're helpful...)

Fourth, check for a firmware upgrade, if it isn't, already! You do this in Sentinel.

And check these forums for any help- Any advice may already be answered here, but if not, ask! We're here to help!

And lastly, have fun! The SDS100 has lots to offer in such a little box, that it can be overwhelming, but fun to explore.

Also, these links may help:
Easier to Read Sentinel Manual
Easier to Read SDS100 Scanner Manual

Enjoy!

 

[ka3jjz]

And this will help fill in the many gaps the Easier to read manual doesn't...

SDS100 and SDS200 FAQ Page - The RadioReference Wiki

wiki.radioreference.com

Mike

 

[dmfalk]

And this will help fill in the many gaps the Easier to read manual doesn't...

SDS100 and SDS200 FAQ Page - The RadioReference Wiki

wiki.radioreference.com

Mike

Resources galore! I keep forgetting about that page... 🙃