SDS100/SDS200: SDS100 Regrets

[mr10pt]

Hello everyone.

Recently I posted on the Uniden Prospective Owners site commenting on my decision not to purchase the SDS 100.
The last page or two here on SDS100 Regrets have postings that reflect much of my reason. Too complex for me, a very casual, low experience user.

From what I read, some of you are Electrical Engineers, Computer Programmers, long time scanner users etc.
Serious enthusiast that contribute much to the forums. (That's why I am here!)
However, I recognize that communication technology will only get more complicated and the devices to monitor it equally complicated.

Cost and complexity, a niche market and other issues will likely lead to the end of casual scanner listening.
(I hope I am wrong.) There is also the issue of encryption...

I spent a lot of time on forums, watching YouTube, reading manuals and I payed attention to advice I was given. Just trying to look-up abbreviations found in the manuals was timely. (Yes, Google is my friend!) Regardless, the impression I got is that the SDS100 is well over my head and the scanner continues to have problems.

Undoubtedly with some effort I would eventually learn, but for me, it would not have been fun.

I did take a look at my neighbors Uniden HP2; it struck me as flimsy and not suitable for daily house to truck use. My previous scanner, (the one at the bottom of Boston Harbor) was a BCD396XTprogramed by a colleague. When it worked, it worked great, but any problem caused a lot of grief.

A couple of days ago I purchased a very basic BC125AT. That scanner is nitwit proof!

Scanner Master recommended the Uniden 436HP.
After the holidays, I will consider this option.
If I am to be dumfounded trying to use a scanner I may as well save some money!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Take care,

Kevin

Happy to see you've found something that will work for you (in the interim). My gut says you're still itching for the more advance technology and eventually will pull the plug and get an SDS series scanner. As previously stated, there is a huge learning curve from the simple programmable scanners from days gone by, but that's what makes it more intriguing. We all take our chances on any new electronic devise's, but f you had one in front of you, you'd be amazed. Available information obtainable on screen is amazing. But, you don't have to go that route. Can use a "Simple Display". Then you get to play with coloring the display to your liking. I still believe you will own a SDS series radio in the near future, especially if simulcast is an issue. Good luck and happy scanning Kevin!

 

[Scannernitwit]

89 Jumps...2 reserve rides...my 20th jump was my first malfunction..bag lock...no hesitation punch right punch left..the second time was more of a situation..line broke on opening...descending turn at about 50mph... got to a 1000' trying to ''fix things'' 1000 decision height cut away.. they heard me scream on the ground...I had a firelite ram air reserve that gave me ground skim like unreal..made me want to jump a smaller parachute...but I CANT..I am 6'4 250...without gear on...lol..love aviation and skydiving to this day..the word DOOR still gets my heart pumnping.. being an ex infantry leg..I never asked questions,...and just ran through the procedure..once the decision is made do the drill..no questions asked...IS IT SQUARE? CAN YOU LAND IT? NO? CUT IT AWAY and get something you can deal with.. PULL with stability and altitude lest the ground rise up and smite thee... Oh yeah..

A "leg"... laughed my ass off... no further comment!

 

[GregOH]

Greg put the card in a reader start Sentinel
Under scanner clear user data
After that copy you profile that you use in your scanner now you have a perfect copy spare.

Do I have to have the scanner connected to the pc if I decide to write to the new sd card and not copy my profile from the card I'm currently using?

 

[SierraTangoAlpha]

Do I have to have the scanner connected to the pc if I decide to write to the new sd card and not copy my profile from the card I'm currently using?

Not sure..its a usb drive as long as its formatted it can receive data. i did mine twice to make sure. i copied my old profile and then cleared all user data and forced a rewrtite with the new rr update, in theory as long as its formatted then you should see it as a drive and can save files to it either with sentinel or dragging and dropping the uniden hpd. your mileage may vary

DO YOU HAVE TO HAVE THE SCANNER CONNECTED? NO you can write to the new sd card in your card reader..you will have to point the program to card reader drive to save the file..

 

[SierraTangoAlpha]

A "leg"... laughed my ass off... no further comment!

Yeah well..I was young and foolish..I could have been in the airforce as an airframe tech..but they needed people for the infantry and the recruiter made sure he met his targets that month.. Looking back 40 years ago now..I don't remember the bad times only the good ones.
It made its mark on me indelibly..never late always on time show up and do the job and don't complain..it served me well in my time in the oil business as well..a decade of service on the rigs..tough jobs but not impossible. We used the term ''Leg'' or "Grunt'' with pride..2 x 10 milers or 5 miles a day 5 days a week..the infantry even mechanized humps ruck...Too old by far for that now..but it was my first experience with HF and VHF radios..encryption..antennas..name it..I have since then always had at least 2 Shortwave radios..Sony ICF 2001 and Sony ICF 2010 usually and an Icom scanner . In the UK I had the ICF 2001 and the Uniden 125 plus an SDR..Radio monitoring is in my blood..We do Fox Hunting here when COVID is not around...if I won the lottery..I would have a small baseline array radio telescope(s) to monitor the skys.. I did SETI@home for 5 years and 27000hrs of computer time taking part in the Search for signals from the sky.. yup radio is part of who I am. Love it..used to love the little Am radios you could get for $3.00 in the stores..9v battery and one big dial and a speaker..listening to radio from the states all night in Ontario.. Now the radios cost more but the joy of listening is just the same. I am not sure what the psych profille of the average scanner user says about them..but I have a good idea what it says about me..LOL

 

[jonwienke]

Hello everyone.

Recently I posted on the Uniden Prospective Owners site commenting on my decision not to purchase the SDS 100.
The last page or two here on SDS100 Regrets have postings that reflect much of my reason. Too complex for me, a very casual, low experience user.

From what I read, some of you are Electrical Engineers, Computer Programmers, long time scanner users etc.
Serious enthusiast that contribute much to the forums. (That's why I am here!)
However, I recognize that communication technology will only get more complicated and the devices to monitor it equally complicated.

Cost and complexity, a niche market and other issues will likely lead to the end of casual scanner listening.
(I hope I am wrong.) There is also the issue of encryption...

I spent a lot of time on forums, watching YouTube, reading manuals and I payed attention to advice I was given. Just trying to look-up abbreviations found in the manuals was timely. (Yes, Google is my friend!) Regardless, the impression I got is that the SDS100 is well over my head and the scanner continues to have problems.

Undoubtedly with some effort I would eventually learn, but for me, it would not have been fun.

I did take a look at my neighbors Uniden HP2; it struck me as flimsy and not suitable for daily house to truck use. My previous scanner, (the one at the bottom of Boston Harbor) was a BCD396XTprogramed by a colleague. When it worked, it worked great, but any problem caused a lot of grief.

A couple of days ago I purchased a very basic BC125AT. That scanner is nitwit proof!

Scanner Master recommended the Uniden 436HP.
After the holidays, I will consider this option.
If I am to be dumfounded trying to use a scanner I may as well save some money!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Take care,

Kevin

A 125 is analog only. You can't decode any digital signal with it. You can tune it to a frequency with a digital signal, but all you will hear is digital noise.

And don't buy a 436 thinking it will be simpler to program than a SDS100. 99% of tbe programming between the SDS and x36 is exactly the same. They have the exact same favorite list \ system \ department \ channel hierarchy, and the programming process is almost exactly the same. The only differences between models are a few profile settings (mostly related to the display), and the SDS models have a filter setting on trunked sites instead of digital decode threshold.

The SDS models are far better at handling simulcast signals, and have better displays. The x36 models are a little better at handling adjacent channel interference, and are of course cheaper. If you don't ever travel with a scanner, and don't have any simulcast systems in your area, the only reasons to get an SDS are future proofing and the display.

 

[buddrousa]

Sorry Greg no you do not have to have the scanner connected. Just run Sentinel and have the new SD Card in the reader connected to the PC running Sentinel.

 

[GregOH]

Sorry Greg no you do not have to have the scanner connected. Just run Sentinel and have the new SD Card in the reader connected to the PC running Sentinel.

Okay I thought that's how it works to save a new favorites list. I actually wanted to save the profile from my current card to begin with, so you did reply to my original question correctly, but I then figured I'd ask about just writing a new favorites list to the card in case I decide to go that route.
Thanks.

 

[buddrousa]

Not a Problem everytime I update a scanner I update the spare card for each on so when I do updates it takes a little time out of my schedule.

 

[gmclam]

...From what I read, some of you are Electrical Engineers, Computer Programmers, long time scanner users etc.
Serious enthusiast that contribute much to the forums. (That's why I am here!)
However, I recognize that communication technology will only get more complicated and the devices to monitor it equally complicated.

Cost and complexity, a niche market and other issues will likely lead to the end of casual scanner listening.

If we go back ~50 years, you'll find listening to public safety radio was complex, not cheap and not a casual activity. Over the years, the systems we monitor have gotten more complex, so more complicated listening equipment has been needed. Fortunately, technology has also gotten cheaper (complexness vs dollar) so it's all about the same.

What's happened in recent times is: The Internet, streaming and making the listening that us geeks have always done available to the masses. And as average people have learned about this hobby and (their) ability to listen to stuff, it's made them more interested. Some bear the cost, learn what's needed and jump on board. Others either find another activity or just continue to listen to streams.

While digital audio (P25) has been out there for many years, it has really taken off in just the past couple of years. I think the 2008 recession is responsible for it not taking off 12 years ago. Now agencies are funded to make the upgrades that the gov't and salesmen have wanted. These changes have made it necessary to make a quantum jump to something like the SDS models. Comparatively, it's no different that prior advances such as PLLs (instead of crystals), trunked systems, P25, etc. For many of us, this keeps the hobby/activity interesting and means we've always got more to learn just to attempt to keep up.

 

[Patch42]

If we go back ~50 years, you'll find listening to public safety radio was complex, not cheap and not a casual activity.

I would have to disagree. My father, who was never technically inclined in regards to electronics, was able to do it after nothing more than a trip to a local radio/TV shop about 50 years ago. He paid a not insignificant sum, but way less than what you'd pay for a SDS100 in equivalent dollars. I want to say it was about $45, which would be $300 in today's dollars. He plugged the scanner in and was able to hear the local police and fire. Easy stuff. I think he went through three scanners over the years, the last of which I bought him as a birthday present. When the local PD/FD started using a trunked analog system it started getting over his head, but up until then it was simple, not very expensive, and something he did quite casually. I think I bought him a copy of the scanner frequency handbook once but I don't think he ever used it.

 

[buddrousa]

50 years ago for the sum of about $150 to $200 you could buy a 10 Channel Regency Crystal Scanner plus $5 or more per crystal.
In 1977 go to page 134 1977 RadioShack Catalog
And in 1978 page 124 a PROGRAMABLE $399 1978 RadioShack Catalog

 

[SteveSimpkin]

50 years ago for the sum of about $150 to $200 you could buy a 10 Channel Regency Crystal Scanner plus $5 or more per crystal.
In 1977 go to page 134 1977 RadioShack Catalog
And in 1978 page 124 a PROGRAMABLE $399 1978 RadioShack Catalog

I would have to disagree. My father, who was never technically inclined in regards to electronics, was able to do it after nothing more than a trip to a local radio/TV shop about 50 years ago. He paid a not insignificant sum, but way less than what you'd pay for a SDS100 in equivalent dollars. I want to say it was about $45, which would be $300 in today's dollars. He plugged the scanner in and was able to hear the local police and fire. Easy stuff. I think he went through three scanners over the years, the last of which I bought him as a birthday present. When the local PD/FD started using a trunked analog system it started getting over his head, but up until then it was simple, not very expensive, and something he did quite casually. I think I bought him a copy of the scanner frequency handbook once but I don't think he ever used it.

Just to compare prices. The $399 you would have paid for programmable scanner in 1978 is equivalent to about $1,650 today. Less than half the cost of an SDS100 or SDS200. Even the $200 you would have paid for a 10 channel scanner and crystals would be equivalent to $880 today.

 

[buddrousa]

I had a good job back then I made $60 a week it took a while to save up for one of my 1st programable scanner.

 

[MStep]

(Snipped for brevity).......

I did take a look at my neighbors Uniden HP2; it struck me as flimsy and not suitable for daily house to truck use. My previous scanner, (the one at the bottom of Boston Harbor) was a BCD396XTprogramed by a colleague. When it worked, it worked great, but any problem caused a lot of grief.

I use the Home Patrol 1 between the car and the home and it is certainly not flimsy (at least to these hands), and it's great to prop up on the dash of my Jeep Liberty. No permanent mounting (sometimes a piece of double-stick tape), and the touch-screen makes it easy to use. Of course the Home Patrol series may not provide all the latest modes that may be required in your area.

 

[Scannernitwit]

Hi Jonwienke.

Thank you for the information.
When I commented about "Electrical Engineers, Computer Programmers, long time scanner users etc... Serious enthusiast"; it was a complement and your various posts come to mind.
I'm sitting here listening to the local PD/FD, it works and for now I will make due. As for the Uniden 436HP, eh... who knows!
Spending money on a product I want or need is not a problem. However, I am hesitant to purchase any product that I do not see personal value in. With the SDS100 I anticipate problems and a wee bit of stress.
As other posters have mentioned, I may change my mind.
Next September I will be taking a long and somewhat complex trip and having a scanner to listen to along the way would be good. (I will be reaching out to Radio Reference Forums for help!)
I recognize that if I want to do that, I will need a SDS100. Who knows, maybe something new will come out of Uniden!
Take care,

Kevin

 

[Patch42]

Just to compare prices. The $399 you would have paid for programmable scanner in 1978 is equivalent to about $1,650 today. Less than half the cost of an SDS100 or SDS200. Even the $200 you would have paid for a 10 channel scanner and crystals would be equivalent to $880 today.

I know my father didn't pay $399 for his first scanner. He'd have never even considered spending that kind of money on something like that. Like I said, my recollection is that it was in the neighborhood of $40. Even that would have been a lot of money for him for something purely intended for entertainment. Maybe he got a really good deal on it. I don't know. But I'm sure he didn't pay remotely close to $400 for it.

The first scanner I purchased for myself was a Pro-2021. I got it on closeout special at half off. I think I paid about $100 for it, though it's been long enough I wouldn't swear to it. Given my economic situation at the time I can't imagine I'd have paid much more than that. This would have been about 1985, give or take a year or two. I got a lot of use out of that radio. Last I knew it was being used to stream airport radio traffic onto the internet. (I gave it to a friend.)

 

[Scannernitwit]

Hi MStep.

Flimsy may have been a poor choice. But, it didn't come across as a good "portable".
Given my lack of experience I could be quite wrong.
A few weeks ago when I started my search for a new scanner I thought;"how hard can it be?"!
I've learned a lot. Sometimes too much knowledge is a bad thing.

Take care,
Kevin

 

[buddrousa]

Patch most Hobbiest here pay retail not closeout for new high end receivers. My paid over $100 used for our 1st crystal scanner mid 70's this I know.

 

[Scannernitwit]

Hi SierraTangoAlpha.

All of us at one time or another was “young and foolish” and I believe that is a good thing!
Occasionally, I was young and stupid and as I look back I think; hmm, I could have gotten killed!

1/508 Medic-Recon 82ndABN. 72-76. Joined the day of my 17th birthday (My mom happily signed the paperwork) and the best decision I ever made. Recreational jumper for about 20-years.

Young people have often asked me about military service. I ask two questions; Can you adapt to never being late and can you fully understand that the word no is unacceptable?

Many memories good and bad but, the years I served, the skills I learned prepared me for life.

Maybe I should have been a commo guy?

Take care,
Kevin