SDS100/SDS200/BCDx36HP Sentinel Updates

[KevinC]

Are you looking here...

BCDx36HPSentinel < UnidenMan4 < TWiki

 

[nperuta96]

Glad to see that there is firmware update.. now to just update mine!

 

[ColdnFrosty]

Just posted firmware for the SDS100 and SDS200, plus a new version of Sentinel that includes the functions added by the update. As usual for public releases, these updates are applied using Sentinel.

1.02.01 Sub / 1.08.05 Main (3/7/2019)
Be sure to also update Sentinel when applying this update.
This firmware update applies the following new settings and bug fixes:

• Added an "AMP OFF Timer" setting that determines how long the amplifier stays on after a transmission ends. If you hear hum between transmissions, change this from Infinite to one of the available settings.
• Added "Wide Normal", "Wide Invert" and "Wide Auto" filter options for FM performance improvement. When you pick this setting, the filter becomes weaker for interference on a nearby frequency. However, the linearity of the IF can be maintained even when there is strong interference within the band, and the reception may be improved in some cases.
• Added an option to display the filter setting when customizing the display.
• Improved a reception dropout issue where dropouts are often accompanied by "LINK" icon appearing at start of dropout.
• Improved crackling noise on analog.
• Improved the reports that some REC files created have no audio captured at replay.
• Added a prompt to exit certain modes.

100 ms delay works for me. The part did not eliminate the hum, but the audio setting takes care of it.

 

[opiekitty]

I followed the instructions and my SDS200 will not acknowledge the new update. My SDS100 did with no problem at all. I updated the Sentinel software and followed the same un-mounting procedures to start the firmware. I even had to clear the data from Sentinel to download a fresh firmware but still stuck on 1.07.04 main - 1.02.01 Sub every time. Need some help guys!!

 

[allend]

The firmware update went well with no issues. Have not messed with some of the new setting within the radio but the internal speaker seems to be good now within good reasonable quietness, but the external speaker issue was not resolved by any firmware upgrade. Not sure if the firmware push today was suppose to try and fix anything related to the external speaker. Not having any issues with any of the bands so far. Keep the firmware updates coming

 

[werinshades]

The firmware update went well with no issues. Have not messed with some of the new setting within the radio but the internal speaker seems to be good now within good reasonable quietness, but the external speaker issue was not resolved by any firmware upgrade. Not sure if the firmware push today was suppose to try and fix anything related to the external speaker. Not having any issues with any of the bands so far. Keep the firmware updates coming

In the Settings, scroll to "Set Auto Off Time" which turns the amp off in between transmissions. I'm using an external speaker and I don't hear anything.

 

[RF23]

I followed the instructions and my SDS200 will not acknowledge the new update. My SDS100 did with no problem at all. I updated the Sentinel software and followed the same un-mounting procedures to start the firmware. I even had to clear the data from Sentinel to download a fresh firmware but still stuck on 1.07.04 main - 1.02.01 Sub every time. Need some help guys!!

This is a bit of a wild guess, but did you change your target model from SDS100 to SDS200 before performing the firmware update on the SDS200?

 

[opiekitty]

This is a bit of a wild guess, but did you change your target model from SDS100 to SDS200 before performing the firmware update on the SDS200?

Thank you for asking and I believe I may have done that.

 

[allend]

In the Settings, scroll to "Set Auto Off Time" which turns the amp off in between transmissions. I'm using an external speaker and I don't hear anything.

I set my radio at 100 milli-seconds and it seems to be working pretty good. The only thing I did notice is that you can sort of hear the humming noise while the frequency and the conversation is open but once it closes up the noise goes silent.

When I use my Uniden BC-7 speaker I do not hear the humming noise at all. Seems to work with that speaker. But that speaker just does not have that solid crisp sound like the MLS-100 speaker does.

Overall it seems like the radio is getting more dialed in as time goes by with tweaks and the metal shield that Uniden shipped as well as the continue of the firmware fixes coming out. The LCD display is top notch with the size and the colors and the brightness. The size of the LCD makes a big difference for the radio.

 

[peewee007]

I still have the crackling noise..although it takes a lot longer to show itself with this update. I'm trying to grab a debug file for it by listening to a pulsing signal(not mine) until it starts crackling. The radio is set in FM mode which seems to set it off easier whereas NFM still does it but takes a while. The signal is -104dBm here and pulses an empty analog carrier about every second. The other issue of the "Link" showing up and muting the audio seems to be resolved sofar - Thanks guys for the fixes and I'll try to get a debug file for viewing..unless somebody can reproduce the crackles and upload a debug file before I do

 

[buddrousa]

-104dbm in an analog signal is very weak you should have popcorn all over that signal even on a commercial 2way.

 

[peewee007]

-104dbm in an analog signal is very weak you should have popcorn all over that signal even on a commercial 2way.

Good thing I found another one that is -89dBm and is giving me the crackling..I have the radio set to save a debug to file on the sd card and have sofar have just had blank log files..I've followed the instructions here on the forum but it just makes blanks..I'll try this new frequency for like a half hour and see if it saves anything -- edit: The crackling is wayyy worse than just popcorn

 

[ProScan]

1.02.01 Sub / 1.08.05 Main (3/7/2019)

• Added "Wide Normal", "Wide Invert" and "Wide Auto" filter options for FM performance improvement. When you pick this setting, the filter becomes weaker for interference on a nearby frequency. However, the linearity of the IF can be maintained even when there is strong interference within the band, and the reception may be improved in some cases.

Bug - Sentinel conv. system departments are not showing the new filter options "Wide Normal", "Wide Invert" and "Wide Auto". The scanner conv. system departments are showing them.

{edit{ Nevermind. Now the new filters are showing.

 

[peewee007]

Well, I've tried and tried to get a debug file for uploading but all the ones that get made are empty after waiting a half hour to the people talking and the crackle-a-cracklin'. Followed the instructions here on the forum. I guess add this to the 'fixed but a lot less prevalent' section for now as it's definetely an improvement..thanks again for doing what you do

 

[werinshades]

I set my radio at 100 milli-seconds and it seems to be working pretty good. The only thing I did notice is that you can sort of hear the humming noise while the frequency and the conversation is open but once it closes up the noise goes silent.

When I use my Uniden BC-7 speaker I do not hear the humming noise at all. Seems to work with that speaker. But that speaker just does not have that solid crisp sound like the MLS-100 speaker does.

Overall it seems like the radio is getting more dialed in as time goes by with tweaks and the metal shield that Uniden shipped as well as the continue of the firmware fixes coming out. The LCD display is top notch with the size and the colors and the brightness. The size of the LCD makes a big difference for the radio.

That's how it works...when an active transmission is in progress, the amp is on...as it should be so you can hear it. When their's no transmissions, you can set the timer as to when the amp goes off to alleviate the "hum" or "scanner noise". I have mine set also at 100 milliseconds but never had an issue with loud humming. Maybe someone here who has uploaded the firmware and installed the part can tell everyone here if it's completely eliminated.

 

[werinshades]

Just posted firmware for the SDS100 and SDS200, plus a new version of Sentinel that includes the functions added by the update. As usual for public releases, these updates are applied using Sentinel.

1.02.01 Sub / 1.08.05 Main (3/7/2019)
Be sure to also update Sentinel when applying this update.
This firmware update applies the following new settings and bug fixes:

• Added "Wide Normal", "Wide Invert" and "Wide Auto" filter options for FM performance improvement. When you pick this setting, the filter becomes weaker for interference on a nearby frequency. However, the linearity of the IF can be maintained even when there is strong interference within the band, and the reception may be improved in some cases.

If I understand this correctly, by using the "Wide" filters, it weakens the immediate frequency but "spreads out" across the band you're listening too in a hope to alleviate interference?

 

[xusmarine1979]

I'm sure there may be a list somewhere for requests, but has anyone requested for a variable attenuator setting?

This is a very nice update and this radio keeps getting better and better...

 

[tvengr]

At the top of the Uniden Sentinel site, it states that the latest version is 2.01.03. Immediately below it is the link for version 2.02.01.

 

[UPMan]

Refresh your browser.

 

[tvengr]

I see that it has been updated. Thank you Paul.