SDS100/SDS200: SDS100 noobie questions

[captshaq]

Hello scanner gurus! Just got the above and very excited to get back to scanners (coming from Ham & GMRS, last time I actively used scanners was back in my press photographer days some 30 years ago lol).

I reviewed the manual, marsscanners excellent alternative as well as asked copilot for some assistance, and while I got a lot of my questions answered - here are the ones still waiting to be answered:

1. Does the copy saved to Sentinel via "read" include the purchased upgrade activation codes (e.g. DMR)? If so, what would happen if I "write" to another scanner (I realize this will not work b/c the activation code is tied to the ESN, I'm just wondering if this would negatively effect the other scanner e.g. I won't be able to enter a different activation code).
2. Is there a way to create a Service Type FL without a specific location, so when I drive around with GPS connected it will automatically pick up those types relevant to the current location?
3. I keep multiple microSD cards with copies of the content as backups. What would happen if I were to replace such card that has an older firmware into the scanner with a newer firmware version? Would the scanner simply downgrade to the older version or is there a risk of damage to the electronics?
4. Is there a way to filter the full database on Sentinel based on Service Type nationally and across all states & counties?
5. Any recommendations for a headset (wired or bluetooth with an adapter)?
6. Does the BC-SGPS also charge the SDS100 while connected?
7. Any creative ways of protecting the mini-USB port from wearing down over time (plugging & unplugging)? I used a USB-C magnetic charge tip on one of my HT's but I couldn't find any mini-USB ones.


Thanks!

 

[n1chu]

#3 As it applies to firmware updates… it’s the scanner that receives the FW upgrade, not the SD Card. The FW version will not affect your programming. You should be able to swap out the SD Card with another that came from another SD100 using a different version of the FW. (In most cases updates/upgrades are always backwards compatible. But it’s always smart to first backup your SD Card BEFORE doing any updating/upgrading of software, firmware or FL programming.)

 

[pb_lonny]

1. That will work fine.

 

[jtwalker]

2 yes. Don’t turn on location control for the FL.

6 maybe, but probably not. Takes a lot of current to charge while using and your power source may not be up to the task. Also generates a lot of heat. Most recommend not charging while in ise.

 

[Randyk4661]

#2 Yes you can do a single favorite list with a specific service type for use with GPS. Said favorite list is going to be huge depending on the selected service.
My advice is make multiple FL for various areas, as you are going to need to fine tune the GPS ranges to better cover what you hear and when.
Remember the more you have in scan, the slower it will scan and you will miss more transmissions. This goes for both sites & departments

#6 Yes it will charge slower than without the GPS connected. In fact if there is to much heat build up it will stop charging(?), it will continue running the scanner but just not charge
If I leave the house with a fully charged battery in the morning, after a day of driving the battery needs charging when I get home.
Recording also pulls from the battery

 

[drdispatch]

#2 Or, you can *not* create a Favorites List and instead monitor the database using the GPS. Go into the menu (or FL editor in Sentinel) and select the Service Types you want. Wherever you go, you will only be monitoring those Service Types.
This is what I do when I'm traveling in areas where I don't have a Favorites List built.

 

[nessnet]

#2 Or, you can *not* create a Favorites List and instead monitor the database using the GPS. Go into the menu (or FL editor in Sentinel) and select the Service Types you want. Wherever you go, you will only be monitoring those Service Types.
This is what I do when I'm traveling in areas where I don't have a Favorites List built.

Service types are in the profile.

 

[captshaq]

#3 As it applies to firmware updates… it’s the scanner that receives the FW upgrade, not the SD Card. The FW version will not affect your programming. You should be able to swap out the SD Card with another that came from another SD100 using a different version of the FW. (In most cases updates/upgrades are always backwards compatible. But it’s always smart to first backup your SD Card BEFORE doing any updating/upgrading of software, firmware or FL programming.)

Thanks!

#2 Or, you can *not* create a Favorites List and instead monitor the database using the GPS. Go into the menu (or FL editor in Sentinel) and select the Service Types you want. Wherever you go, you will only be monitoring those Service Types.
This is what I do when I'm traveling in areas where I don't have a Favorites List built.

Thanks!

Service types are in the profile.

View attachment 170785

Thanks!

 

[ofd8001]

1. Does the copy saved to Sentinel via "read" include the purchased upgrade activation codes (e.g. DMR)? If so, what would happen if I "write" to another scanner (I realize this will not work b/c the activation code is tied to the ESN, I'm just wondering if this would negatively effect the other scanner e.g. I won't be able to enter a different activation code).
2. Is there a way to create a Service Type FL without a specific location, so when I drive around with GPS connected it will automatically pick up those types relevant to the current location?
3. I keep multiple microSD cards with copies of the content as backups. What would happen if I were to replace such card that has an older firmware into the scanner with a newer firmware version? Would the scanner simply downgrade to the older version or is there a risk of damage to the electronics?
4. Is there a way to filter the full database on Sentinel based on Service Type nationally and across all states & counties?
5. Any recommendations for a headset (wired or bluetooth with an adapter)?
6. Does the BC-SGPS also charge the SDS100 while connected?
7. Any creative ways of protecting the mini-USB port from wearing down over time (plugging & unplugging)? I used a USB-C magnetic charge tip on one of my HT's but I couldn't find any mini-USB ones.

1. Upgrade activation codes are a one time exercise, kinda sorta like a firmware upgrade. Reading/writing to the scanner has no effect on those things. Activation codes go hand in hand with the scanner ESN so they are not interchangeable.
2. If you are not going to do any location information on your FL, there isn't much reason to use a GPS unit. Generally FLs are created based on a given location (city/county/state). I concur with previous responses - you might consider scanning the full database and select only the desired Service Type.
3. No harm is done. Having spare SD cards is a good thing.
4. Not that I am aware of.
5. I can't make a recommendation.
6. Already answered
7. You could use a short "jumper" like cable, male/female and make your connections that way.

 

[Ubbe]

7. You could use a short "jumper" like cable, male/female and make your connections that way.

Yes, an angled one and use a rubber band to keep the cable against the scanner and use the magnetic USB-C tip at the end of it.
For just powering the scanner the USB micro port can be used and will then not take any power from its battery.

https://www.amazon.com/CGTime-Extension-Simultaneously-Charging-Phones%E3%80%81Computers%E3%80%81Tablets/dp/B07BPXZRNS/

/Ubbe

 

[captshaq]

1. Upgrade activation codes are a one time exercise, kinda sorta like a firmware upgrade. Reading/writing to the scanner has no effect on those things. Activation codes go hand in hand with the scanner ESN so they are not interchangeable.
2. If you are not going to do any location information on your FL, there isn't much reason to use a GPS unit. Generally FLs are created based on a given location (city/county/state). I concur with previous responses - you might consider scanning the full database and select only the desired Service Type.
3. No harm is done. Having spare SD cards is a good thing.
4. Not that I am aware of.
5. I can't make a recommendation.
6. Already answered
7. You could use a short "jumper" like cable, male/female and make your connections that way.

Thank you for the detailed answer!

 

[fxdscon]

1. Does the copy saved to Sentinel via "read" include the purchased upgrade activation codes (e.g. DMR)? If so, what would happen if I "write" to another scanner (I realize this will not work b/c the activation code is tied to the ESN, I'm just wondering if this would negatively effect the other scanner e.g. I won't be able to enter a different activation code).

The upgrade activation codes are permanently stored internally in the scanner's memory as soon as you enter the digital activation key using the scanner's keypad... they are never stored on, or written to the SD card.... and they are not stored in Sentinel at all. The other scanner will not see any of the upgrade info from the 1st scanner.

3. I keep multiple microSD cards with copies of the content as backups. What would happen if I were to replace such card that has an older firmware into the scanner with a newer firmware version? Would the scanner simply downgrade to the older version or is there a risk of damage to the electronics?

Absolutely not a problem.

During the firmware update process when connected to Sentinel, the firmware download file from Uniden is temporarily written to the SD card. As soon as the scanner is disconnected from the computer and the scanner reboots, the scanner updates itself by reading the new firmware file from the SD card into it's internal memory. When that process is complete the scanner deletes the newly downloaded firmware file from the SD card.

Although the actual firmware file is no longer on the SD card after an update, if you look at the contents of the SD card in Windows File Explorer, you'll see a file called "scanner.inf" in the top level folder on the card. That file shows some info (including the ESN and the firmware version number) from the scanner that is currently using that SD card. When you put that card in another scanner, the other scanner doesn't use that info.... it just over-writes that file with it's own info. When you put that card back into the 1st scanner, same thing happens.... the 1st scanner just over-writes that file and puts it's own info back in there.

 

[captshaq]

The upgrade activation codes are permanently stored internally in the scanner's memory as soon as you enter the digital activation key using the scanner's keypad... they are never stored on, or written to the SD card.... and they are not stored in Sentinel at all. The other scanner will not see any of the upgrade info from the 1st scanner.



Absolutely not a problem.

During the firmware update process when connected to Sentinel, the firmware download file from Uniden is temporarily written to the SD card. As soon as the scanner is disconnected from the computer and the scanner reboots, the scanner updates itself by reading the new firmware file from the SD card into it's internal memory. When that process is complete the scanner deletes the newly downloaded firmware file from the SD card.

Although the actual firmware file is no longer on the SD card after an update, if you look at the contents of the SD card in Windows File Explorer, you'll see a file called "scanner.inf" in the top level folder on the card. That file shows some info (including the ESN and the firmware version number) from the scanner that is currently using that SD card. When you put that card in another scanner, the other scanner doesn't use that info.... it just over-writes that file with it's own info. When you put that card back into the 1st scanner, same thing happens.... the 1st scanner just over-writes that file and puts it's own info back in there.

Thanks!