SDS100 your likes / dislikes

[TxScanner]

Some may have my earlier posts about the sds100 issue i was having in earlier post here in this thread, and that i sent my unit back to Scanner Master, and I’ve already got my replacement. It works great, whereas the first one i got wouldnt pick up anything, the new one does, and with the addition of a RS800 antenna, does even better. But it seems this one has the issue with the backlight, not matter how i set the squelch backlight setting, its like its on open squelch, but its not, gos off immediately when talking stops. But thats no biggie, i cant just hit the light button i need it. Maybe they’ll think of something to fix it one day.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

 

[03msc]

Some may have my earlier posts about the sds100 issue i was having in earlier post here in this thread, and that i sent my unit back to Scanner Master, and I’ve already got my replacement. It works great, whereas the first one i got wouldnt pick up anything, the new one does, and with the addition of a RS800 antenna, does even better. But it seems this one has the issue with the backlight, not matter how i set the squelch backlight setting, its like its on open squelch, but its not, gos off immediately when talking stops. But thats no biggie, i cant just hit the light button i need it. Maybe they’ll think of something to fix it one day.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

Good to hear your replacement is proving to be a good performer. And I am sure they will get the backlight issue sorted out in a future firmware update (did you side load the latest one, that Paul posted a thread about the other day? It is not through Sentinel but purely manually side loaded.).

 

[TxScanner]

Good to hear your replacement is proving to be a good performer. And I am sure they will get the backlight issue sorted out in a future firmware update (did you side load the latest one, that Paul posted a thread about the other day? It is not through Sentinel but purely manually side loaded.).

I read about it, but haven't downloaded it yet, and yes, it's great to have working like it should

Sent from my Galaxy S9+ using Tapatalk

 

[kikito]

But it seems this one has the issue with the backlight, not matter how i set the squelch backlight setting, its like its on open squelch, but its not, gos off immediately when talking stops. But thats no biggie, i cant just hit the light button i need it. Maybe they’ll think of something to fix it one day.

There’s a whole thread about backlight issues. But is mostly to figure out the problem with the backlight flickering, etc. What you describe seems to be the normal operation by design now, unlike how the 436 behaves. I noticed that new “feature” since the first day I had the radio.

Basically, if you have the backlight timber set to 5 seconds, the light will turn on when a transmission becomes active and if it happens to last more than 5 seconds, the light will turn off while the transmission still going. And yes, it’s also normal for the backlight to go off as soon as the transmission ends, if it lasts less than the set timer.

So hopefully they’ll add more options later for the rest of us that want a different backlight behavior. Here’s the thread in case you haven’t come across it:

http://forums.radioreference.com/un...68-sds100-backlight-issues-5.html#post2951483

 

[werinshades]

Attenuator

A little been tip I mentioned that might have been lost in the threads. Reception was terrible for the first minute or two I turned the scanner on. I used my 436/536 programming for my simulcast systems because well....i wanted to try anything I could so had to use it. As soon as I turned off the Attenuator, like magic my reception improved. So..for those that are having issues with reception...first use the stock antenna, then check to make sure the attenuator is not on for the system you're trying to listen to. It really "attenuates" on the SDS100.

 

[hardsuit]

Uniden Upman.
I like the SDS100 overall, has nice Audio, a powerful Speaker, I'm kinda half/half on the Display. Its a Nice Design. great battery options. now for what I don't like. I dislike the Stock antenna. lack of any Built in GPS or Bluetooth Audio. Lack of Dual Watch (dual receive). Lack of INCLUDED Amatuer radio Modes and Amatuer Digital modes. Lack of Unblocked Spectrum (except cellular). and AFIK the Uniden has no Frequency tuning Knob or Channel Select Knob, this feature gone in most Scanners.

 

[hardsuit]

1. Is there a way to charge the battery externally? Or, will there be?

2. Can I directly load a Favorites List from Sentinel that was created for my 436HP?

I think Uniden is releasing an External Charger but it will be later. and at extra cost.

 

[hardsuit]

Stop it you guys are killing me. Remember I have to work really hard to get my 436 to mess up with lsm. So, is this unit gonna I d track nxdn ?

The Uniden SDS100 can in fact Demodulate NXDN but you WILL have to PAY for the upgrade, the Whistler on the other hand dose this for FREE.

 

[werinshades]

The Uniden SDS100 can in fact Demodulate NXDN but you WILL have to PAY for the upgrade, the Whistler on the other hand dose this for FREE.

The SDS100 "trunk tracks" NXDN unlike Whistler who scans all the channels and you hope it picks up the talk group you programmed...especially in a large NXDN system with many frequencies assigned to a RAN. Well worth it.

With all the beta tester videos, on-line owners manual did you not know this before spending the money?

 

[kikito]

AFIK the Uniden has no Frequency tuning Knob or Channel Select Knob, this feature gone in most Scanners.

I’m not sure if this is what you mean, but the Unidens do have a direct-entry, direct-tuning of a frequency in a VFO mode fashion and then you can use the knob to tune up or down or scan from there and you also can change a lot of the settings on the fly like modulation, frequency steps, etc. You can do the same for Talkgroups while monitoring a system and direct-entry them or tune manually to any of your programmed TGs.

With that said, a minor annoyance when doing direct entry of the above, Uniden needs to label one of the soft keys as an indication or guidance of what to press next when wanting to go into that mode. Because pressing ‘E’ of course thinks you’re trying to program the frequency or TG permanently. Like maybe the middle soft key could be named “Tune” or something like that.

 

[hardsuit]

werinshades.
I have not Bought anything yet, I waiting on more concrete information on the Whistler TRX-100 & 200 scanners. and see what they can do. the Uniden really rubs me the wrong way with its Paid updates. I have a Radio Shack pro-688 upgrade to DMR from Whistler. I'm am basing my purchase on Whistler giving me more for my Dollar with Bluetooth Audio and NXDN + DMR for free. and I may need a Receiver update as well , and Really considering getting the ICOM IC-R30 as its Built in GPS with 100 Mile station scanning and Bluetooth Audio, Dual Receive and Dual Audio Record.

 

[jonwienke]

Lack of INCLUDED Amatuer radio Modes and Amatuer Digital modes. Lack of Unblocked Spectrum (except cellular). and AFIK the Uniden has no Frequency tuning Knob or Channel Select Knob, this feature gone in most Scanners.

Most of this is wrong. The only blocked frequencies are those prohibited by federal law. The scanner supports analog amateur radio modes and frequencies, just not some of the niche digital modes like D-Star that aren't very widely used compared to DMR and P25. For the rest, you need to RTFM, as the scanner does have several ways to menaually enter or navigate to a frequency or programmed channel.

 

[werinshades]

Uniden Upman.
I like the SDS100 overall, has nice Audio, a powerful Speaker, I'm kinda half/half on the Display. Its a Nice Design. great battery options. now for what I don't like. I dislike the Stock antenna. lack of any Built in GPS or Bluetooth Audio. Lack of Dual Watch (dual receive). Lack of INCLUDED Amatuer radio Modes and Amatuer Digital modes. Lack of Unblocked Spectrum (except cellular). and AFIK the Uniden has no Frequency tuning Knob or Channel Select Knob, this feature gone in most Scanners.

werinshades.
I have not Bought anything yet, I waiting on more concrete information on the Whistler TRX-100 & 200 scanners. and see what they can do. the Uniden really rubs me the wrong way with its Paid updates. I have a Radio Shack pro-688 upgrade to DMR from Whistler. I'm am basing my purchase on Whistler giving me more for my Dollar with Bluetooth Audio and NXDN + DMR for free. and I may need a Receiver update as well , and Really considering getting the ICOM IC-R30 as its Built in GPS with 100 Mile station scanning and Bluetooth Audio, Dual Receive and Dual Audio Record.

I apologize, thought this thread was aimed at those that purchased the scanner and discussing what they liked and disliked about it.

 

[hardsuit]

kitko.
I'm not sure, I have not owned a Bearcat since 1990. but I do have Modern HAM scanner/Receivers like the R10 & R20 as well as the Radio Shack Pro-688. the ICOM Receivers can manually tune a Frequency as well as Manually select a particular Channel with a knob. AFIK both Uniden and Whistler scanners lack this but offer an Alternative way of selection. but, the Knob is NOT a deal breaker for me as I prefer value above else, which is why Im waiting on more Concrete info on Whistler.

 

[KE4ZNR]

the Uniden really rubs me the wrong way with its Paid updates.

Actually they are paid upgrades not paid updates...firmware updates are free.

I mean how dare Uniden correctly pay the licensing fees for true DMR/MotoTRBO/NXDN trunking right? They should follow Whistler's psudo-not-really-trunking on those formats.

To each their own I guess.
Marshall KE4ZNR

 

[werinshades]

kitko.
I'm not sure, I have not owned a Bearcat since 1990. but I do have Modern HAM scanner/Receivers like the R10 & R20 as well as the Radio Shack Pro-688. the ICOM Receivers can manually tune a Frequency as well as Manually select a particular Channel with a knob. AFIK both Uniden and Whistler scanners lack this but offer an Alternative way of selection. but, the Knob is NOT a deal breaker for me as I prefer value above else, which is why Im waiting on more Concrete info on Whistler.

We will all hold our breath on your decision...

 

[kikito]

the Uniden really rubs me the wrong way with its Paid updates.

The way I look at it is I SAVED money by not having to pay for modes I’ll never use, in the final price of the radio.

Really considering getting the ICOM IC-R30 as its Built in GPS with 100 Mile station scanning and Bluetooth Audio, Dual Receive and Dual Audio Record.

Yeah many other radios out there have a lot of good features that Uniden (or Whistler) don’t have BUT are you going to get real trunk-tracking and other features with the AOR, Icom, etc. radios?

 

[hardsuit]

jonwienke.
that is FALSE. ALL Unidens have gaps in coverage in the Radio Spectrum (except cellular), FACT : Uniden SDS100 = Receives ONLY 25-512, 758-824, 849-869, 894-960, and 1240-1300. but where is 0mhz - 24mhz ?, 513 - 757 ?, 961 - 1239 ? and ends at just 1300 ? you know there are things to monitor from 1.3 Ghz to 3.0 Ghz right , including voice transmissions. this is the Same for my current scanner which is a Whistler. it has the Exact same gaps in coverage. My AOR 1000 has Zero gaps from 0mhz - 1300, I can even receive Celluar, if I want to .

 

[hardsuit]

kikito.
Actually I'm either getting a Whistler or a Uniden LMR scanner and also strongly considering the AOR DV-10 as it has Automatic Digital mode detection, in addition to a lot of shared features with the ICOM. Even though the AOR and ICOM scanners don't have Trunking of any kind, you can still Tune and Listen to Two Frequencies simultaneously. the Base and then the Handheld. and ICOM and AOR have VOICE scanning as well as multiple scanning modes.

 

[jonwienke]

jonwienke.
that is FALSE. ALL Unidens have gaps in coverage in the Radio Spectrum (except cellular), FACT : Uniden SDS100 = Receives ONLY 25-512, 758-824, 849-869, 894-960, and 1240-1300. but where is 0mhz - 24mhz ?, 513 - 757 ?, 961 - 1239 ? and ends at just 1300 ? you know there are things to monitor from 1.3 Ghz to 3.0 Ghz right , including voice transmissions. this is the Same for my current scanner which is a Whistler. it has the Exact same gaps in coverage. My AOR 1000 has Zero gaps from 0mhz - 1300, I can even receive Celluar, if I want to .

That AOR is also illegal to import or operate in the USA. You're violating federal law.

The SDS100 covers every legal frequency between 25 and 1300MHz. It does not pretend to cover HF, Wi-Fi, microwave, or radar. Whistler has the same gaps in coverage as Uniden, to comply with federal law. If you don't like that, write to Congress to get stupid laws repealed.