SDS200 background noise finally resolved by UNIDEN?

[JoeBearcat]

Remove the screws on the board and remove the masking below where the screws are hitting so they make good contact with the board.

There is a very detailed description here: SDS200 Hum > External Speaker

 

[WRQS621]

Remove the screws on the board and remove the masking below where the screws are hitting so they make good contact with the board.

There is a very detailed description here: SDS200 Hum > External Speaker

Exactly what I did and it works. Still waiting for a firmware update. With that said, I have been using Uniden scanners since my first BC200XLT and yes I mod'ed it to pick up cell frequencies. You guys make solid radios but the SDS200 has issues. The hum being a major problem. I have a 325p2 which picks up a lot weaker stations even with the supplied antenna. SDR is a good leap forward but it hard to beat a Super Heterodyne receiver.

 

[AB5ID]

Exactly what I did and it works. Still waiting for a firmware update.

What issue needs a firmware update?

 

[iMONITOR]

If you're waiting for a firmware update for the SDS200 you have to go to Helen Wait!

 

[iMONITOR]

That is why I recommended the original design fix rather than a stop-gap measure like jumpers or teethed washers. Fix it so it is as the designers intended it, and not worry about more issues down the road. These other methods are find for end users, but not for a permanent factory fix.

I was hoping this thread contained reports about newer units having that fix verified over and above the anecdotal evidence that nobody seems to have the hum issue on the newer units.

If it requires "the original design fix", shouldn't it be the original manufactures responsibility to do so? Uniden is acknowledging it's defective, why don't they do what's right and fix them all?

Again, isn't it Uniden's responsibility to report that newer units have a verified fix?

 

[MStep]

If it requires "the original design fix", shouldn't it be the original manufactures responsibility to do so? Uniden is acknowledging it's defective, why don't they do what's right and fix them all?

Again, isn't it Uniden's responsibility to report that newer units have a verified fix?

Uniden follows that traditional old saying, "Don't mess with success". A few folks have mentioned a few anomalies in a few of the current production units, but in general, most folks seem to be happy. Things would be different if retailers had something like a 50 or 60 percent return rate, but apparently that's not happening.

 

[donc13]

If it requires "the original design fix", shouldn't it be the original manufactures responsibility to do so? Uniden is acknowledging it's defective, why don't they do what's right and fix them all?

Again, isn't it Uniden's responsibility to report that newer units have a verified fix?

Your two points are not making sense. If Uniden extends the warranty for sds200 units with background hum (uniden hasn't done that but it seems that's what you are asking) vs. giving a verified serial number where the verified fix is done (meaning higher serial numbers won't get that extended warranty) and don't compare to auto recalls... Those are safety issues, not inconvenient issues.

I do believe that uniden should extend the warranty for sds200 units that exhibit the hum (say two years from date of purchase). But saying units with xxx serial number and up are fixed.... Then units with lower serial numbers become worth less because you won't be able to "prove" they were fixed. And, fact is, every sds200 with a lower serial than the magic fix serial do NOT have a hum.

 

[tvengr]

There is a very detailed description here: SDS200 Hum > External Speaker

Joe, has the change been made in the manufacturing process to correct the problem? I have never seen a definitive answer. If the change has been made, after what serial number?

 

[werinshades]

Joe, has the change been made in the manufacturing process to correct the problem? I have never seen a definitive answer. If the change has been made, after what serial number?

I have a SDS200 with a manufacture date of 2019 in the 2500+ series and no hum. I have two others with a manufacture date of 2021 in the 800+ series and no hum. My original one has a manufacture date in 2018 in the 1000+ series with the hum (very minor though).

I don't think you'll ever get the answer many others have been seeking, but owners should be able to give a better idea based on serial numbers.

I'm sure the distributors can't open up the boxes and plug it in and/or check the serial number without it being considered an "open box" item and would have to sell it that way.

 

[fxdscon]

Joe, has the change been made in the manufacturing process to correct the problem? I have never seen a definitive answer. If the change has been made, after what serial number?

This is the latest info on that from JoeBearcat:

SDS-200 Manufacturing Run

Anyone know what manufacturing run the new SDS-200 scanners are in? I was hoping all the bugs have been worked out before I purchase one….

forums.radioreference.com

 

[fxdscon]

I'm sure the distributors can't open up the boxes and plug it in and/or check the serial number without it being considered an "open box" item and would have to sell it that way.

-
Distributors or retailers can easily check SDS200 serial numbers without opening the box. Whether or not they would make that effort on a request from a customer... well, you know how that goes.

The serial number, at least the part that starts with the digit that determines the date of manufacture (the part after the model code of 384Z) is affixed to the outside of the box in plain view in the form of a bar code label.

One of my SDS200s has a serial number of 384Z98002xxx. The digit after the "Z" determines the year of manufacture, in this case the "9" signifies made in 2019. The "8" indicates made in Vietnam, and the rest of the digits show that unit's sequence in that year's production run (does not correspond to month and day).

and the S/N bar code label clearly visible on the outside of the box says: S/N - 98002xxx (my x's).

 

[werinshades]

-One of my SDS200s has a serial number of 384Z98002xxx. The digit after the "Z" determines the year of manufacture, in this case the "9" signifies made in 2019. The "8" indicates made in Vietnam, and the rest of the digits show that unit's sequence in that year's production run (does not correspond to month and day).

and the S/N bar code label clearly visible on the outside of the box says: S/N - 98002xxx (my x's).

View attachment 117652

Higher or lower than 2500 series? Hum or no hum?

 

[fxdscon]

Higher or lower than 2500 series? Hum or no hum?

-
I purchased and setup a total of 7 SDS200s (for me and others) all from 2019. All were just above the 2500 mark for that year. Never checked any for the Uniden mitigation part. I figured I would be doing the home hum fix, but not one of them has had any hum or any other problems to this day... all tested for hum in a zero noise environment.

 

[werinshades]

-
I purchased and setup a total of 7 SDS200s (for me and others) all from 2019. All were just above the 2500 mark for that year. Never checked any for the Uniden mitigation part. I figured I would be doing the home hum fix, but not one of them has had any hum or any other problems to this day... all tested for hum in a zero noise environment.

So far..2019/2500+ series...no hums.

 

[JoeBearcat]

If it requires "the original design fix", shouldn't it be the original manufactures responsibility to do so? Uniden is acknowledging it's defective, why don't they do what's right and fix them all?

Because not all have the issue, and as far as I know there is no way to determine which will and which will not. For that reason, documenting serial numbers is only chasing your tail - trying to assign order to random occurrences.

Again, isn't it Uniden's responsibility to report that newer units have a verified fix?

Nope. I was not even given that info (like a cutoff ESN). I did mention that I was told the production was changed many months back, but I was given no other info - even after asking.

 

[JoeBearcat]

Joe, has the change been made in the manufacturing process to correct the problem? I have never seen a definitive answer. If the change has been made, after what serial number?

See my last reply above.

 

[werinshades]

For that reason, documenting serial numbers is only chasing your tail - trying to assign order to random occurrences.

Well "Joe", since you can't seem to get any sort of an answer, all we can do is approximate when the "design change" was done. Since I own 4, and 3 of them are silent when no activity is present, I could give a pretty good educated guess, which seems a tad better that what you're being told.

You see "Joe", people are asking a very good question and being dismissive doesn't seem to restore confidence. So.."chasing our tails" seems to be the only attempt to answer the question.

While we're at it, how's that new firmware going? Seems to be a alot of inferences on the Scanner Master You Tube show to a Home Patrol 3. Maybe all this "helping you help us" was all for a new model? What's going on "Joe"? Time to level with the Radio Reference folks

 

[donc13]

Well "Joe", since you can't seem to get any sort of an answer, all we can do is approximate when the "design change" was done. Since I own 4, and 3 of them are silent when no activity is present, I could give a pretty good educated guess, which seems a tad better that what you're being told.

You see "Joe", people are asking a very good question and being dismissive doesn't seem to restore confidence. So.."chasing our tails" seems to be the only attempt to answer the question.

While we're at it, how's that new firmware going? Seems to be a alot of inferences on the Scanner Master You Tube show to a Home Patrol 3. Maybe all this "helping you help us" was all for a new model? What's going on "Joe"? Time to level with the Radio Reference folks

How many times does he have to tell you that he does not have that information?

 

[werinshades]

How many times does he have to tell you that he does not have that information?

If he was in the position he claims to be, no doubt he could do a little leg work and find out. The "they won't tell me" excuse isn't an appropriate response. Maybe have a couple distributors return a few of them and nail it down for those asking the question. The priority isn't on the "future owners" of this scanner, but it sounds like a "new and improved" one on the horizon. Probably if we wait till Wednesday, something might be found out.

 

[donc13]

If he was in the position he claims to be, no doubt he could do a little leg work and find out. The "they won't tell me" excuse isn't an appropriate response. Maybe have a couple distributors return a few of them and nail it down for those asking the question. The priority isn't on the "future owners" of this scanner, but it sounds like a "new and improved" one on the horizon. Probably if we wait till Wednesday, something might be found out.

Kind of not sure he speaks Vietnamese and/or Japanese. And that is where the "real answer" is.

How do you nail down a "issue" by having distributor return product, especially since not all units before/after some serial number have an issue?

Yes, there's always a new product on the horizon, and I will bet dollars to doughnuts that that new product won't be "perfect" out of the start line.