Thanks for the info. I have been wondering if encryption was going to start around this area. I guess Watertown already is. This makes me wonder if I should even spend the money on a scanner!
SDS100/SDS200: SDS100 or SDS200
- Thread starter Rick6975
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MStep
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If you can't afford to take a 50% loss at reselling your radio should the worse happen and they encrypt right after your 30 day return window has closed, then don't get involved with scanning. The only digital scanners worth their salt are the SDS series, so you're talking $650 - $700 USD (plus tax). For some folks, that's a big chunk of change; for others, not so much. If you have not already done so, I would check into the Wisconsin forums here on RR for better guidance as to what may or may not be happening in your area. Just buy from a place like Amazon or Walmart--- at least if you get jittery within their 30 day window of return, you can always ship it back.
If your worried about getting into scanning due to possibility of encryption, suggest you get a less expensive 436 from the marketplace on RR. They do phase I and II. It will work. See how many simulcast towers are around you and distance. If only one or 2, the 436 will work fine. I have 4 in my area and my 436 works ok. My SDS200 does handle it better though. You can always repurpose the 436 if your area goes 100% encryption but that may be awhile. They said same thing in my area years ago. Still hasn’t happened. There is plenty to listen to besides PD etc these days too.
I am definitely going to get an sds. I will take my chances on the encryption. Do you have one or the other? Can't decide between the two although I will use it at home mostly. Another gent had a great idea. Get a bluetooth speaker and carry it from room to room. Thanks for your help.
I have both models (SDS100 & SDS200). The SDS200 has a larger speaker, so audio is better. It has a nice large display, but so does the SDS100. If you will be using a bluetooth earphone, or speaker, then there would be no real difference in audio.
While the base/mobile SDS200 does a good job, the portable SDS100 has the advantage of being easy to grab & take with you, whether to another room in the house, or with your vehicle. The portable also has the advantage of using a battery, which means it can keep working in the event of a power failure. Of course, you could address that issue with the SDS200, using a gel cell battery if power were to be interrupted.
Computrguy
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Definitely the portable SDS100. It is so much more flexible. In the living room, bedroom, bathroom, vehicle, outside on the deck or washing the car, basically anywhere I go it can go. Power goes out and I still have 8 hours of listening to why the power is out.
Thats why I chose it and am happy with the decision.
Thats why I chose it and am happy with the decision.
trentbob
Silent Key W3BUX
That's something to think about. If you definitely want to hear the police and they go encrypted there are other things to listen to but my feeling is the police are a priority and my county is now encrypted.
You have fire and EMS and a host of other things to listen to but...
You have a lot of good opinion is here so it's a toss-up, if you're going to use it mostly at home, as I said, I think it's worth the extra bucks to get the 200.
You can get a nice aftermarket antenna like the REM 842b and use a right angle adapter.
As far as picking a 100 or 200 that's up to you. I have them both. As far as potential encryption, I had 2 sds200s... as soon as my county and all others around me when encrypted I packed one of those puppies up and sold it.
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