SDS100, not ideal for VHF?

[trentbob]

I miss those old RS antennas. For the price, nothing beat them.

Yes the first one of these I bought was in the late '60s and it didn't have the two prongs on it, it was just a VHF 15-in radial ground plane that cost $5.95 LOL.

When RatShack went out of business I went around and bought every single one of these ground planes I could find still in the shrink wrap and it was a tri-bander by that time, it was $29.95 but I got them for 75% off.. I still have one left in the shrink wrap LOL.

 

[EAFrizzle]

Yes the first one of these I bought was in the late '60s and it didn't have the two prongs on it, it was just a VHF 15-in radial ground plane that cost $5.95 LOL.

When RatShack went out of business I went around and bought every single one of these ground planes I could find still in the shrink wrap and it was a tri-bander by that time, it was $29.95 but I got them for 75% off.. I still have one left in the shrink wrap LOL.

Well done, sir!

I think they were around $12.95 or so in the early 90s. I had one that I cut down for 465 MHz to hear Houuston PDs inputs and simplex channels.

Looking back, I wish I would have picked up a new one each time I went to the Shack. Their tri-band mag-mount scanner antenna was another winner. I still have one in storage.

 

[K9KLC]

I still needed to have the ability to scan my County Phase 2 system and have VHF, UHF all in one scanning package.

This is why I'm so interested.

 

[trentbob]

SDS200 and a Omni X. I did kind of derail, but I believe there was a few others. Guilty as charged.

Well we've been having a professional conversation here for quite a while that has been right on topic!

 

[EAFrizzle]

We're talking all sorts of VHF antennas, and they'll all work on the 200 with adapters, so you're as on topic as any of us.

 

[trentbob]

SDS200 and a Omni X. I did kind of derail, but I believe there was a few others. Guilty as charged.

Well at least you have an SDS 200, we've been having a very professional discussion about the SDS 100 and VHF applications.

 

[K9KLC]

Well at least you have an SDS 200, we've been having a very professional discussion about the SDS 100 and VHF applications.

This is frankly been one of the more informative threads I've been in, in a long time. Thanks to everyone including the OP @threeofnine for starting this. I am hoping he's been following and perhaps some of the information shared here might help him in his decision.

 

[trentbob]

I unfortunately have an appointment but shouldn't be long and I will be around later.

 

[buddrousa]

I am not talking about skip I am talking about everyday walk out in the yard with a Remtronix 800 Antenna and receive.

 

[K9KLC]

I am not talking about skip I am talking about everyday walk out in the yard with a Remtronix 800 Antenna and receive.

Obviously this varies from area to area. Not everyone in all parts of this country are gonna get weather channel reception the way you do. I'm lucky to get 5 an external antenna with any device on a regular basis.

 

[buddrousa]

Yes I am in the green on 5

 

[trentbob]

Yes I get weather radio all the time, very predictable.

 

[K9KLC]

Yes I get weather radio all the time, very predictable.

In the house in anything "non outside antenna" I am usually guaranteed 2. On occasion a 3rd one will pop in. I get the same 3 on an external antenna 2 solidly and 1 "pretty good". If it is a good day , I can add a 4th on the outside antenna and then as it goes up a 5th and 6th. Last summer it was so good one day it was on all and you could hear the heterodyne of multiple stations on the same frequency. Of course that was also the day we were working 300-400 miles on 146.52 FM.

Truthfully it doesn't matter how many weather channels we get it's a moot point. Shows nothing about a receiver's capabilities.

However to get the same amount of them on different devices with the same antenna does help prove capabilities and , there in is the point of this thread. Will the SDS on the same antenna as another unit receive as well on VHF. This is what o hope to find out. As I stated, I want it to. I want something that if I want to can do simulcast, uhf or vhf analog. P-25, and with of course the upgrade DMR. Trust me gentlemen I do hope it does all many of you have said.

 

[trentbob]

I was just sticking to the 100, the 200 with ground plane is consistent with weather radio but the 100 is positional to get all the weather stations. They could be staticky or not the clearest and respond to tilting the radio or taking it to different places in the house. Very location dependent.

300 miles on VHF simplex is amazing, I've gotten some Coast Guard Sector radio from some pretty far distances.

 

[K9KLC]

I was just sticking to the 100, the 200 with ground plane is consistent with weather radio but the 100 is positional to get all the weather stations. They could be staticky or not the clearest and respond to tilting the radio or taking it to different places in the house. Very location dependent.

300 miles on VHF simplex is amazing, I've gotten some Coast Guard Sector radio from some pretty far distances.

Yes as many of the long time hams know moving a radio (HT) 1-2 inches either way or rotating it even 1-2 degrees can make or break the communication.

 

[trentbob]

If you pull the trigger on the radio, again I don't think it will compare well with certain radios like the Icom but..

You buy from a reputable vendor who is going to offer a 30-day guarantee that you will be satisfied, you run it through the paces, using techniques and tips you get from radio reference, there is so much info.

If it doesn't cut it, and it is a compromise because you're getting the best possible in that kind of package then you simply return it within the window.

I guess there's trade-offs.. it sounds like you're taking a different view this time of being able to get a better look at the radio and options available.

That 30-day window is key. You really don't have anything to lose.

 

[K9KLC]

300 miles on VHF simplex is amazing, I've gotten some Coast Guard Sector radio from some pretty far distances

I just checked this was in August of 2023. It was 469 miles. Was confirmed on LOTW and there were several more in the 300+ range that day. Was a GREAT day to be on the air.

 

[K9KLC]

If you pull the trigger on the radio, again I don't think it will compare well with certain radios like the Icom but..

You buy from a reputable vendor who is going to offer a 30-day guarantee that you will be satisfied, you run it through the paces, using techniques and tips you get from radio reference, there is so much info.

If it doesn't cut it, and it is a compromise because you're getting the best possible in that kind of package then you simply return it within the window.

I guess there's trade-offs.. it sounds like you're taking a different view this time of being able to get a better look at the radio and options available.

That 30-day window is key. You really don't have anything to lose.

You know, this is a GREAT idea. Yes I want a look at one. I've read "this that and the other". I've heard how great it is and how bad it is. Now I need to see for myself, in my area, for my usage how it is and decide for myself.

I'm gonna consider just ordering one perhaps but my one buddy is still wanting to borrow one of my G5s so maybe, you know to be safe we'll just swap for a bit and if I feel I need more info after a week or two then do as you suggest. Thanks.

 

[K9KLC]

You buy from a reputable vendor

Got a recommendation?

 

[trentbob]

I haven't bought a radio or piece of equipment in a while, there is a number of reputable vendors, they may not all give 30-day guarantee but I remember purchasing from Bearcat Warehouse and they did offer a 30-day guarantee. I think all the major vendors like Scanner Master is a good one, people have had good experiences with Maine Trading Company in Texas. I personally would avoid zip scanners but that ..just my own personal opinion from experiences I've had and I've seen others have and I'm not sure what their return policy is but I think that was one of the problems I have with it.

It just takes research on Google to see who has it in stock, anybody that might have a discount on the price and still offer that 30-day window of satisfaction.

If the radio is not what you thought it was and it didn't meet your expectation you don't want to deal with anybody that's still going to want to restocking fee, you want a guarantee.

I personally like GigaParts, don't know what their status is with the SDS radios or return policy but I have purchased ham equipment from them with good experiences. HRO also is a consideration but not up to date on their policies

Some Google searches and phone calls should clear things up.. there are others who know more about Amazon vendors and return policies etc etc I don't buy much there either.

Social Security and a few modest pensions, my expensive equipment purchasing days are pretty much behind me LOL.