SDS100/SDS200: SDS100 & Zip Code Search

[AngWay]

I have been wondering about how the zip code search works on the sds100 and i done some searching around the web but can't get a definite answer so i'll ask here.

When i put in the zip code i read it loads everything within a 10 mile radius is that true? does it only load what is within 10 miles, because i live on the border of WV KY and VA and when i put in my zip code it shows all three states loading so it doesn't make sense to only be 10 miles.

I read that auto locate loads a 30 mile radius, you would think auto locate would be closer than just zip code search . but anyways does it really only load freqs within 10 miles?
Thanks

 

[buddrousa]

And the best answer is to look at the Database see what you want to hear and learn to Program your Scanner yourself.

 

[fxdscon]

I read that auto locate loads a 30 mile radius, you would think auto locate would be closer than just zip code search . but anyways does it really only load freqs within 10 miles?

There's a fairly good explanation of how location distances work starting on page 19 of your SDS100 user manual.

 

[nessnet]

OK... here goes...
You do have Sentinel up and running, correct?
You have to tell the radio where it is. By setting the location (lat/long) in the profile, by entering a zip code, manually entering the lat/long or (best) have a GPS puck hooked up - the radio knows it's location when you tell it to it by whatever means. XX lat/XXlong

In your Sentinel PROFILE (edit/profile/location settings tab in Sentinel) there is a Range box.
I don't even remember what the default it - maybe the 10 you were thinking, but this box is key to what you want to do.

The built-in database also knows the location of every system/department/site.
If you set the above profile range box to 0, the radio will only use the location data in the database - it will only pick up stuff within the range of that system/department/site.

Remember, statewide systems and counties/cities use big circles as their ranges, in order to cover the entire state/county/city. Therefore, those range circles are normally fairly big. Setting the range box to zero has the advantage of NOT scanning 3 states - just local(ish).
Set your range to 10 and it ADDS to the range of a system/department/site. So, say a county is 70 miles and you add 10 = effective range is 80. You can just adjust the range in this box 'till you hear what you want.

 

[AngWay]

OK... here goes...
You do have Sentinel up and running, correct?
You have to tell the radio where it is. By setting the location (lat/long) in the profile, by entering a zip code, manually entering the lat/long or (best) have a GPS puck hooked up - the radio knows it's location when you tell it to it by whatever means. XX lat/XXlong

In your Sentinel PROFILE (edit/profile/location settings tab in Sentinel) there is a Range box.
I don't even remember what the default it - maybe the 10 you were thinking, but this box is key to what you want to do.

The built-in database also knows the location of every system/department/site.
If you set the above profile range box to 0, the radio will only use the location data in the database - it will only pick up stuff within the range of that system/department/site.

Remember, statewide systems and counties/cities use big circles as their ranges, in order to cover the entire state/county/city. Therefore, those range circles are normally fairly big. Setting the range box to zero has the advantage of NOT scanning 3 states - just local(ish).
Set your range to 10 and it ADDS to the range of a system/department/site. So, say a county is 70 miles and you add 10 = effective range is 80. You can just adjust the range in this box 'till you hear what you want.

I did not know this so thank you.

I will give this a try with the 0 option.
what about the fav lists does it matter what i put as range for those?

 

[k5ziv]

When I travel with my sds100 I enter the zip where I am and then enter 100 for max range.
k5ziv

 

[ofd8001]

what about the fav lists does it matter what i put as range for those?

If you have entered just the "stuff" for what you want to hear, Range doesn't matter. (You've kind of done that via programming).

If you program a large statewide system because you do a lot of traveling, then you should choose a Range that suits your fancy based on the excellent explanation from Nessnet. Just be sure to update your location as you move around.

 

[nessnet]

what about the fav lists does it matter what i put as range for those?

Via Sentinel, favorite lists are built using the systems/departments/sites contained in the database.
Which, (as I said above), all have GPS coordinates and circles (range) already programmed.
There is nothing (range) for you to put in there.

The only range YOU need to input/change is the one in your profile (edit/profile/location settings tab in Sentinel).

 

[Ubbe]

When i put in the zip code i read it loads everything within a 10 mile radius is that true?

No. The zip code uses a table in the scanner that has the GPS coordinates set to the middle of that zip code area and set the scanners GPS coordinates for you.

Unidens database, that comes from RadioReference, have a range set to each site and department that it uses to determine what it should scan. The range you can change in the scanner only adds more miles to that range.

Some systems like för a school campus usually has 0,5 or 1 mile range set to it, so you will only hear that system when you are at the campus. That needs you to set the scanners range to the same distance you have to that campus in order to hear it. Other systems are usually set to something between 25 and 50 miles. If you are located high up or have a good antenna you can probably set additional range in the scanner if you want to monitor more distant systems and not just local ones.

If you have ProScan you can probably edit the database and set your own distances to each site, like 25 miles to that school campus without adding anything to systems that already have a 50 mile range set to them. But of course it's best to append all systems in your county and area to a favorite list, or several, and disable location controlled scanning and more easily monitor only the systems you want and avoid others.

/Ubbe

 

[trunker]

...When i put in the zip code i read it loads everything within a 10 mile radius is that true? does it only load what is within 10 miles, because i live on the border of WV KY and VA and when i put in my zip code it shows all three states loading so it doesn't make sense to only be 10 miles.

Yes, it will load systems tagged with your zipcode at 10 miles, but there may be a system 50 miles away with a range of 75 miles that will also be included in your zipcode. That's the nature of the beast.
That's when Service Types come in handy. Don't forget to check/turn off Nationwide systems too. Then just avoid anything else you don't want to hear.

This is great for scanning on the fly/traveling but there are better ways to program the scanner if you have the time.

I read that auto locate loads a 30 mile radius, you would think auto locate would be closer than just zip code search . but anyways does it really only load freqs within 10 miles?
Thanks

Auto locate just tries to find (receive) a trunked system in the database and then uses its location. Could be a site 25 miles away.
Adding 30 miles to that might make your 'location' circle scan too far in the wrong direction.

I would set my scan (location) range to 0 and rely(?) on the range settings for systems in the database for best results.
If you want even better results it's simple enough to Google your GPS location.

 

[coolrich55]

Waiting for mine to be shipped from amazon. Anybody know if I should expect the RR database stored will be up to date? I've read some reviews where they say it came with an old 2018 DB.

 

[buddrousa]

It will not be up to date FIRMWARE or DATABASE.
If I was you I would install the Software setup your Favorites List while waiting on the scanner. That is what I did with my SDS100's and my SDS200.

 

[jtwalker]

Waiting for mine to be shipped from amazon. Anybody know if I should expect the RR database stored will be up to date? I've read some reviews where they say it came with an old 2018 DB.

Database and firmware will both not be current.

 

[coolrich55]

Database and firmware will both not be current.

It will not be up to date FIRMWARE or DATABASE.
If I was you I would install the Software setup your Favorites List while waiting on the scanner. That is what I did with my SDS100's and my SDS200.

I'll do that. Taking a trip to NYC area thanksgiving weekend. In case I don't have time to do the update, is it possible to add TG's to existing systems? Like can I add updates manually?

 

[buddrousa]

Yes you can using software is faster and easer.

Easier to Read SDS100/200 Digital Scanner Manual

SDS Sentinel Software Manual

 

[jtwalker]

I'll do that. Taking a trip to NYC area thanksgiving weekend. In case I don't have time to do the update, is it possible to add TG's to existing systems? Like can I add updates manually?

Add to a favorites list, yes. Add to the database, no.

 

[KC9NEG]

I got a new SDS100 today. Mfg. date was 2024, firmware was circa 6/22, sub cpu was circa 3/19, database was circa 4/23.

 

[ofd8001]

Updating firmware and database is easy enough with sentinel. Follow instructions on screens.

 

[coolrich55]

I got a new SDS100 today. Mfg. date was 2024, firmware was circa 6/22, sub cpu was circa 3/19, database was circa 4/23.

4/23 for the DB isn't bad.

 

[KC9NEG]

Updating firmware and database is easy enough with sentinel. Follow instructions on screens.

Yep, had it updated and running in a few minutes.