SDS100/SDS200: SDS100 / SDS200 Enhancement Update 1.09.02

[trentbob]

The inconsistencies from Radio to radio are a given. I have an SDS 100.

Since the filter releases my P2 simulcast reception has improved with less clipping and missed Transmissions but that always required me to have a 2 second system hold time, please don't confuse that with a 2 second object hold time.

With this latest update I am actually able to take the two second hold time off because of the elimination of the housekeeping blink. This speeds up scanning.

I was one of the lucky ones who had excellent VHF and UHF reception from the start. No crackling or popcorn noises just good VHF and UHF better than the 536.

Now my VHF and UHF reception is far less sensitive and noisy with that white noise I never had before. Filters don't make any difference. I just lost my good VHF and UHF performance.

One theme I've noticed that's constant with the SDS radios is... it always a compromise. Keep working on it Uniden.

 

[WX4JCW]

Well if I can make it to universal radio I may be picking up an SDS200 tonight


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[RRR]

I'm pretty sure this will be addressed by Uniden.

I sure would love a good working AGC! (Varying volumes on P25 systems are really annoying)

 

[JamesO]

Unfortunately the entire AGC thing is a mess across all scanners from the HP1 (if it has AGC, cannot recall) 396/996XT, 325P2/996P2, 436/536 and now the SDS100/SDS200 IMHO.

I really think the term AGC is incorrect as well. Unclear where and how the AGC circuitry is implemented in these radios and what it is supposed to do. On FM and Digital transmissions, you are not likely going to want to change the Gain in the radio in any stages, you really want an AVC or Automatic Volume Control, I guess you could refer to it as an AGC, however, I feel this is not representative of what the feature is expected to do.

I have asked before for Uniden to document what all the AGC values affect, maybe put together a white paper with some useful examples and seems to that has all gone on deaf ears.

I contend the AGC for the most part does not work in any of the radios listed above. I own all of them and have never heard/experienced any difference when enabling the "AGC".

Can anyone here on the forum confirm if they have ever experienced any change using the "AGC" function and what settings they used and what the end results were? Maybe I am doing something wrong??

 

[kruser]

Unfortunately the entire AGC thing is a mess across all scanners from the HP1 (if it has AGC, cannot recall) 396/996XT, 325P2/996P2, 436/536 and now the SDS100/SDS200 IMHO.

I contend the AGC for the most part does not work in any of the radios listed above. I own all of them and have never heard/experienced any difference when enabling the "AGC".

Can anyone here on the forum confirm if they have ever experienced any change using the "AGC" function and what settings they used and what the end results were? Maybe I am doing something wrong??

I concur that the AGC settings on the Uniden models that offer it do absolutely nothing.

 

[JamesO]

I concur that the AGC settings on the Uniden models that offer it do absolutely nothing.

Thank you for your confirmation, would be interesting to see if anyone claims they have noticed a difference with the features enabled.

Would be VERY nice to get these features working as designed with some guidance for set up when there are multiple settings other than just OFF and ON.

 

[captainmax1]

Will be looking for this years 420 update for the SDS & x36 in 8 days.

 

[JamesO]

Will be looking for this years 420 update for the SDS & x36 in 8 days.

Not legal in Texas at this time!

 

[Ubbe]

The audio AGC works in HP1 and 536. It is very obvious when testing with a RF signal generator with a modulated test tone. When the RF signal level are reduced with a lot of background noise and the modulation level of the tone are changed between low value and higher the background noise dissapears when the tone is increases in level. Compare that with an old scanner like 780, that show the opposite effect as is nornmal in FM radio. Also normal scanning show huge differencies in audio levels bewtween systems and users, that are not as evident with one of Unidens AGC scanners. Uniden have choosed to use an AGC level that are perfect without any pumping effect, that are so annoying with a Whistler scanner. The Uniden BCT15 have AGC settings you can change yourself to different levels, from none to a very heavy pumping effect.

/Ubbe

 

[sp7foy]

Does this update apply for the SDS100E please?

UPMan.
Say something about it.

 

[buddrousa]

If it did then your sentinel software would add it to your scanner.

 

[mule1075]

UPMan.
Say something about it.

Nothing for him to say.

 

[eaf1956]

Nothing for him to say.

Why is it that people always want a reply from UPMAN. It's like this: If it is for YOUR radio then your software will download it. Can you imagine if people wanted a personal response from Microsoft about Windows updates and if they applied to their version.

 

[werinshades]

Some here want an "exact" answer as to what each filter setting will do. Their is no "right answer" other than if you're having problems with a specific system/frequency, try them all until you find what works. I've utilized all of them including changing some analog frequencies to FM from NFM and utilizing Attenuator settings. You're not damaging the scanner by trying it out and if it works...well enough said.

 

[TailGator911]

10-4 on that. Each individual listener should just experiment with the filters and see what works for you, as each listener is in his own geographical location in relation to the signal he can receive. Each situation is different depending on all of your variables. Tweak that radio and listen for the changes and dial it in accordingly. I dialed in a distant vhf fire frequency and applied the IFX and the static all but disappeared. The filters work, you just have to play with them and figure out what works best for your unique and individual location and radio. Have fun with it!

JD
kf4anc

 

[buddrousa]

It seems some people think everything should be done for them and they should not have to do anything and it work perfect out of the box on every system in the world.

 

[werinshades]

...and if a suggestion didn't work out, we'd have a 10 page thread on it...

 

[TailGator911]

In the real world, that would basically give them a dead desk. Heck, configuring, programming, tweaking and dialing in frequencies is the fun part of this wonderful hobby. And, I'd have to say, keeping up with the technology and learning how to adapt.

 

[werinshades]

UPMan acknowledged an issue with the latest firmware and as he said it'll be resolved in the next firmware release. If a previous version worked better, reinstall that version. If you're having a problem with a system/frequency, use the filters to correct it. Plenty of on line information/forum posts on how to do it. Get a cup of coffee, take a breath and go at it.

 

[mule1075]

The overseas models which the poster was referring to the answer will always be the same. Uniden North America has nothing really to do with the updates for those models. They need to deal with Avera or whoever distributed those models to get on the ball with Uniden so they get the firmware updates as well.