SDS100 On The Way!

[MarkyM]

Hi all,
I'm getting back into scanning after quite a while. The last time I turned on my trusty Radio Shack Pro-43, my local police & fire were still in the clear on UHF! That was probably 2016 or 2017. So now that they are using simulcast on the Ohio Statewide MARCS P25 Phase I system, I have ordered the SDS100.
I also have a BCD160DN that I use for aircraft, marine and railroad listening so am getting the SDS100 mostly for just these digital services.

I have been reading the FAQs and watching Youtube videos and have a question that I haven't seen fully answered yet:
I have downloaded the Sentinel software and have updated the database in there so will be good to go when the radio arrives.

My question is should I...
1) Start with zipcode entry and turn things off to make my favorites lists?
or 2) Start from scratch using the software to pick & choose only what I want to make up my favorites lists?

Thanks!
--Mark--

 

[EAFrizzle]

1 is easier, 2 will work better and be more useful. You'll make mistakes programming, but that's what makes it useful. Figuring out exactly how you want the radio set up will happen faster doing it that way.

You're going to get a lot of suggestions to try ProScan. I'll be the first to recommend it. But use Sentinel for a couple of weeks first, then try the free 30-day trial for ProScan. Once you try it, you'll understand why so many of us love it.

 

[MarkyM]

1 is easier, 2 will work better and be more useful. You'll make mistakes programming, but that's what makes it useful. Figuring out exactly how you want the radio set up will happen faster doing it that way.

You're going to get a lot of suggestions to try ProScan. I'll be the first to recommend it. But use Sentinel for a couple of weeks first, then try the free 30-day trial for ProScan. Once you try it, you'll understand why so many of us love it.

Thanks. 2 it is!
I'm actually looking forward to programming it. That's why I didn't order any pre-programming.

Would it be a good idea to use a separate favorite list for each nearby community?
Or include one or two of them along with my town?

Noted. I already have ProScan downloaded but haven't installed it yet.

 

[EAFrizzle]

.

Would it be a good idea to use a separate favorite list for each nearby community?
Or include one or two of them along with my town?

Yes? No? Maybe? I don't know... that's part of the exactly you'll find. I have some lists by county, some by service type, modulation type, etc. This is where learning about the different quick keys and how they work will bring you closer to your ideal setup. The great thing is that it's quick and easy to make any changes you want with ProScan.

Edit to add: how you'll want your lists set up will depend a lot on how the different radio systems are set up in your area. Your State forum will be able to give you better info on that.

Don't forget to play with your screen colors in Sentinel, too!

 

[werinshades]

Helpful video...the "do it yourself" method.

 

[MarkyM]

Yes? No? Maybe? I don't know... that's part of the exactly you'll find. I have some lists by county, some by service type, modulation type, etc. This is where learning about the different quick keys and how they work will bring you closer to your ideal setup. The great thing is that it's quick and easy to make any changes you want with ProScan.

Edit to add: how you'll want your lists set up will depend a lot on how the different radio systems are set up in your area. Your State forum will be able to give you better info on that.

Don't forget to play with your screen colors in Sentinel, too!

Got it. Thanks!
Yes, looking forward to customizing the screen colors! That's a really nice feature.

 

[MarkyM]

Helpful video...the "do it yourself" method.

 

[ka3jjz]

You say you have been reading the FAQs- did you read this one?

SDS100 and SDS200 FAQ Page - The RadioReference Wiki

wiki.radioreference.com

There are many topics covered here that are not covered elsewhere; not in the Easier to read manual, nor in the Uniden supplied one. On page 2 of the FAQ (linked at the top) there are links to LOTS of videos

MIke

 

[MarkyM]

Yep, I have started that one and have it bookmarked.
I haven't seen Page 2 yet. Thanks.

 

[dmfalk]

Congratulations on the purchase of an SDS100! Seems like you're good to go, so far! If you have any questions (after searching the FAQs, manuals, videos, and even these Uniden forums) don't be afraid to ask!

The usual caveats apply:
The provided stock antenna is, well, 👎. There are much better ones.....

The upgrade keys may seem like an expense, but they can become a wise investment on your enjoyment of this unit...

Don't forget to upgrade the firmware, first, with Sentinel installed, running and connected! (And update the database, too.... Updates are posted weekly, on most Mondays.)

And above all else, the '100 is actually a pretty good all-purpose scanner, explore it, and most importantly, HAVE FUN!! 🙃

 

[MarkyM]

Congratulations on the purchase of an SDS100! Seems like you're good to go, so far! If you have any questions (after searching the FAQs, manuals, videos, and even these Uniden forums) don't be afraid to ask!

The usual caveats apply:
The provided stock antenna is, well, 👎. There are much better ones.....

The upgrade keys may seem like an expense, but they can become a wise investment on your enjoyment of this unit...

Don't forget to upgrade the firmware, first, with Sentinel installed, running and connected! (And update the database, too.... Updates are posted weekly, on most Mondays.)

And above all else, the '100 is actually a pretty good all-purpose scanner, explore it, and most importantly, HAVE FUN!! 🙃

Thank you!
Understood re: the stock antenna. I ordered an 820S antenna and the soft leather case along with the scanner. Scannermaster offered 10% off on those when bought with the scanner.
I also have an original Diamond RH77 antenna from the 90s that’s currently on the 160DN.
Will do!!

 

[MarkyM]

OK, now I'm getting overwhelmed and my head is spinning.

So I watched that video and he's basically ignoring the onboard database and entering raw frequencies from scratch.
Do I really have to do that? That should all be in there already and get added with the sites I want, no?

Here in Ohio, it looks like virtually everything I want to listen to on the SDS100 is on the Ohio MARCS-IP: Multi-Agency Radio Communications P25 Phase 1 system.

Couldn't I start by drilling down into USA / Ohio / Summit / Statewide / Ohio MARCS and append that as the System to a favorites list I create called "Summit"?

Thanks,
--Mark--

​

 

[Nasby]

OK, now I'm getting overwhelmed and my head is spinning.

So I watched that video and he's basically ignoring the onboard database and entering raw frequencies from scratch.
Do I really have to do that? That should all be in there already and get added with the sites I want, no?

Here in Ohio, it looks like virtually everything I want to listen to on the SDS100 is on the Ohio MARCS-IP: Multi-Agency Radio Communications P25 Phase 1 system.

Couldn't I start by drilling down into USA / Ohio / Summit / Statewide / Ohio MARCS and append that as the System to a favorites list I create called "Summit"?

Thanks,
--Mark--

​

Yes you absolutely could do that. Then select the agencies you want to hear.
Be sure to assign a favorites list quick key of your choice and lockout or delete all the sites except Summit Simulcast.
Also, under “Profile” be sure to select monitor “on” and download “on”.
You can PM me if you need more help. I’m local to Twinsburg.

 

[MarkyM]

Yes you absolutely could do that. Then select the agencies you want to hear.
Be sure to assign a favorites list quick key of your choice and lockout or delete all the sites except Summit Simulcast.
Also, under “Profile” be sure to select monitor “on” and download “on”.
You can PM me if you need more help. I’m local to Twinsburg.

Thank you!

 

[Swipesy]

I have found that Summit County on MARCS is such a vast system that I built two favorite lists for my SDS 200 - (1) Summit North (Twinsburg, Macedonia, Stow, Hudson and (2) Summit South (All rest of Summit). I added duplicated I/O TG's into both Favorite Lists. Works well for me.

 

[MarkyM]

I have found that Summit County on MARCS is such a vast system that I built two favorite lists for my SDS 200 - (1) Summit North (Twinsburg, Macedonia, Stow, Hudson and (2) Summit South (All rest of Summit). I added duplicated I/O TG's into both Favorite Lists. Works well for me.

Thanks!

 

[MarkyM]

OK, here's what I have so far.
Summit is the name of the Favorite List and then, for now, I added only the cities close to me (Twinsburg, Macedonia & Hudson) to the Fire and Law...are those Departments? And gave them quick keys 0 & 1.

 

[Swipesy]

OK, here's what I have so far.
Summit is the name of the Favorite List and then, for now, I added only the cities close to me (Twinsburg, Macedonia & Hudson) to the Fire and Law...are those Departments? And gave them quick keys 0 & 1.

View attachment 180320

Yes.

I don't use Quick Keys because I have so many Favorites I could never remember all the Quick Keys. In your case they are fine.

 

[MarkyM]

Thanks, I think I’m starting to get the hang of it now.

 

[Swipesy]

Thanks, I think I’m starting to get the hang of it now.

Get rid of all the towers you can not hear and only use towers that can be heard by you and Summit TG's affiliate with.