SDS200 Hum repaired, but returned

[brettbolt]

It appears that Joe_Blough is correct. Uniden's following statement in the manual is in clear violation of FTC rules.

"The warranty is invalid if the Product is (A) damaged or not maintained as reasonable or necessary, (B) modified, altered, or used as part of any conversion kits, subassemblies, or any configurations not sold by Uniden,"

From the above linked web page from the Federal Trade Commission:
"Each company used different language, but here are examples of questionable provisions:

• The use of [company name] parts is required to keep your . . . manufacturer’s warranties and any extended warranties intact.
• This warranty shall not apply if this product . . . is used with products not sold or licensed by [company name].
• This warranty does not apply if this product . . . has had the warranty seal on the [product] altered, defaced, or removed."

So it is clear that Uniden cannot legally void the warranty if non-Uniden parts are used.

The FTC exists to protect consumers from a variety of things, including 'company policies' that let companies weasel out of their warranty commitments.

 

[kruser]

I think the worst case if you do open and modify your SDS200 is that you would likely terminate any FCC certification approved for the device. Part 15 in this case.
Modifying an FCC certified device could make the device illegal to use without the device being recertified first.
Did Uniden need to get FCC approval to keep the Part 15 certification before supplying this mitigation part? Being a totally mechanical part, maybe not. If adding the part changed any RF radiation patterns, maybe they did need to consult the FCC. I'm no expert on this so who knows.

Part 15 is so darn vague though that I doubt it would ever be challenged in this case no matter what the end user did. If anything, soldering in the "mitigation" part should help to further reduce any external emission or noise produced by the radio. The FCC should be happy about this.

I guess Uniden could refuse to work on a radio that has been modified and no longer meets the original FCC certification but that should not affect the overall warranty if this FTC info is indeed correct.
Worse case, any modifications made that alter the FCC certification would need to be removed. Uniden could charge for that removal if needed.

 

[StaticDischarge]

The basic FCC rules for a device meant to receive signals are simply that the device may not be able to be modified to receive frequencies not allowed, that the device must not cause interference and must accept signals that may cause undesired operations.
Now, knowing that, what does grounding a display module to eliminate hum have anything to do with the FCC or any certification Uniden has from the FCC concerning this device you ask? ABSOLUTELY NONE!
Now on the other hand, if someone opened the radio and did anything to modify the circuitry that would allow reception of signals not allowed by FCC definition, or made the device cause undesired operations, is all on the individual and is entirely different than a simple repair to remove noise from the received audio.
I further believe that if I choose to ground the display module to "fix" Unidens haphazard "mitigation part" that "cures the hum" heard in the audio, and I am capable of doing so without damage, I am fully within the law to do so as long as it causes no further harm to the receiver, and due to the fact the manufacturer tried and failed, my warranty shall still be valid for this device!
Simple, isn't it? All due to the manufacturer trying and failing at their attempt to fix the issue and not following up when it was realized the first fix failed..
So you can calm down, the "consumer police" are not going to come arrest you for fixing your own radio! Although the fire department (or possibly the morgue technician) might if you don't know what it is you are doing!

Normal scanning may now resume..

 

[werinshades]

And I just posted a link proving that's illegal to do conditional warranties which you failed to address. "Void your authority to operate this product" says nothing about the warranty. All that says is if you damage it then it might not work.

That is illegal. I think we can all agree that Uniden has been acting with less than good intentions. They put an illegal statement in the manual, and despite proof showing it is illegal you continue to say you are right. Stop embarrassing yourself. Their manual is not the law.

How can yiu not read the FTC's info? They have sent out letters to companies telling them their conditional warranties are illegal. It's all there for anyone to read.

Proof was posted with a link to the FTC's statement but yiu think you make the laws. Not a single person has displayed the facts I posted. Just what they thinj the law should be. Microsoft said the warranting is void if you open your Xbox. FTC says it is illegal for them to do that. Go look it up .

More false info. The soldering makes a better ground connection which is the entire issue. Someone posted that soldering it was the guaranteed fix. Nobody can read here apparently. It's right in this thread.

Joe...let it go. Your anger and resentment towards Uniden is obvious but since you don't own the scanner (which you fail to mention), you don't have any stake in the game (You haven't spent your hard earned money like the rest of us commenting). You're portraying yourself as an owner and giving the perception that you have tried these "fixes". Like the other thread, you dominated it with your obvious anger towards Uniden. Now you're on to a legal challenge with the warranty...enough already! As I and many happy owners others have said, if you buy it and it doesn't work as advertised, you can return it. You can try the other options before you return it too. This thread has run it's course like the other, and if Uniden plans on addressing this further, we will be notified.

 

[buddrousa]

It is time to ignore the one that doesn't know any better. I am glad he has an engineering degree and is a Harvard Law Graduate. The squad needs people like him to help them with their legal issues.

 

[ansky]

I'm surprised to hear that this hum issue is still going on. I bought my SDS200 from a seller on Amazon back in mid March and it has been working flawlessly all this time with no hum. The serial number starts with 384Z.

 

[bravo14]

I'm surprised to hear that this hum issue is still going on. I bought my SDS200 from a seller on Amazon back in mid March and it has been working flawlessly all this time with no hum. The serial number starts with 384Z.

Odd if the s/n 384Z has no hum on your side. I had one unit with 384Z and uniden replaced it and I got a new one with same s/n 384Z but the last 2 numbers are lower from the first one. Even with the replacement still has the hum and makes popping sounds.

 

[Joe_Blough]

Illegal statement? Now that's a reach, even for you.

Joe...stop spreading bad information for us that own the SDS 200. Please stop advising owners to modify their scanners. If they do, it's at their own risk. Non-experts might try some of these "fixes" and void their warranty. If Uniden has any other additional information, they will let us know. Fair enough?

Illegal statement is a stretch?

Here is another link that shows you are the one spreading bad information. Notice the bold and underlined parts.

"Documents released by the Federal Trade Commission to Motherboard named the six companies with illegal warranty policies: Sony, Nintendo, Microsoft, HTC, Asus and Hyundai. According to letters published Tuesday by Motherboard through a Freedom of Information Act request, the companies were given 30 days to change their policies or the FTC may “take law enforcement action and seek appropriate injunctive and monetary remedies” for violations.
Microsoft declined to comment. Sony, Nintendo, HTC, Asus and Hyundai did not respond to a request for commen't.

' If worries about voiding your warranty have ever kept you from trying to repair your own electronics or from visiting the cheap repair shop on the corner, the government has good news for you".

"The Federal Trade Commission recently announced that warning stickers that say people will void their warranties are not only meaningless but also illegal. These types of stickers are common on many electronics — for example, if you try to open an Xbox One X console, you'll find a black sticker over one of the screws; Microsoft has cited the sticker's absence as a reason to reject people's warranty claims in the past. Sony's PlayStation has a sticker that says, “Warranty void if seal damaged.”

"The agency said it sent letters about the labels to six “major” companies that make game consoles, automobiles and cellular devices. The FTC did not name the companies that received the letters. The agency said that these types of messages are in violation of the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, which prohibits companies from putting repair limits on warranties, and they may also violate rules against false representation".

"Kyle Wiens, chief executive of iFixit, said the FTC's announcement reaffirms consumer rights. “Of course correctly repairing products yourself doesn’t void the warranty. If you break your phone’s screen, you should have options outside of Apple for repairing it,” he said. “I’m glad that the FTC is cracking down on these abusive practices. We should be able to maintain our own hardware without fear of retaliation.”

 

[werinshades]

Illegal statement is stretch?

Here is another link that shows you are the one spreading bad information. Notice the bold and underlined parts.

"Documents released by the Federal Trade Commission to Motherboard named the six companies with illegal warranty policies: Sony, Nintendo, Microsoft, HTC, Asus and Hyundai. According to letters published Tuesday by Motherboard through a Freedom of Information Act request, the companies were given 30 days to change their policies or the FTC may “take law enforcement action and seek appropriate injunctive and monetary remedies” for violations.
Microsoft declined to comment. Sony, Nintendo, HTC, Asus and Hyundai did not respond to a request for commen't.

' If worries about voiding your warranty have ever kept you from trying to repair your own electronics or from visiting the cheap repair shop on the corner, the government has good news for you".

"The Federal Trade Commission recently announced that warning stickers that say people will void their warranties are not only meaningless but also illegal. These types of stickers are common on many electronics — for example, if you try to open an Xbox One X console, you'll find a black sticker over one of the screws; Microsoft has cited the sticker's absence as a reason to reject people's warranty claims in the past. Sony's PlayStation has a sticker that says, “Warranty void if seal damaged.”

"The agency said it sent letters about the labels to six “major” companies that make game consoles, automobiles and cellular devices. The FTC did not name the companies that received the letters. The agency said that these types of messages are in violation of the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, which prohibits companies from putting repair limits on warranties, and they may also violate rules against false representation".

"Kyle Wiens, chief executive of iFixit, said the FTC's announcement reaffirms consumer rights. “Of course correctly repairing products yourself doesn’t void the warranty. If you break your phone’s screen, you should have options outside of Apple for repairing it,” he said. “I’m glad that the FTC is cracking down on these abusive practices. We should be able to maintain our own hardware without fear of retaliation.”

Joe...enough already or shall we now call you Johnny Cochran? If you're so sure you're right, then do something about it. But of course....you don't own an SDS 200 and you're stirring the pot. From humming to fixes to now warranty legality. Go outside and smell the flowers or pet a puppy...you're stressing out about an issue that has no effect on you. Moderators....is it time?

 

[Joe_Blough]

The problem is if the consumer opens a unit...
Then he might mess something else up..
Then even more repairs are required..
To my knowledge, for the majority of CE products sold today if the consumer opens the unit's case the product's warranty is null and void.

Just my $0.02...

Your knowledge and you $0.02 are both wrong.

Check out this link.

"If worries about voiding your warranty have ever kept you from trying to repair your own electronics or from visiting the cheap repair shop on the corner, the government has good news for you"

The Federal Trade Commission recently announced that warning stickers that say people will void their warranties are not only meaningless but also illegal. These types of stickers are common on many electronics — for example, if you try to open an Xbox One X console, you'll find a black sticker over one of the screws; Microsoft has cited the sticker's absence as a reason to reject people's warranty claims in the past. Sony's PlayStation has a sticker that says, “Warranty void if seal damaged.”

"Kyle Wiens, chief executive of iFixit, said the FTC's announcement reaffirms consumer rights. “Of course correctly repairing products yourself doesn’t void the warranty. If you break your phone’s screen, you should have options outside of Apple for repairing it,” he said. “I’m glad that the FTC is cracking down on these abusive practices. We should be able to maintain our own hardware without fear of retaliation.”

 

[Joe_Blough]

It appears that Joe_Blough is correct. Uniden's following statement in the manual is in clear violation of FTC rules.

Of course I am correct but the really sad part is that I provided proof. I provided links. Yet several people, without providing any sources said I was wrong and was providing bad information. Someone tries to help others out and is condemned by people who lack the knowlegde even when it has been provided to them. That's the amazing part.

 

[werinshades]

It appears that Joe_Blough is correct. Uniden's following statement in the manual is in clear violation of FTC rules.

"The warranty is invalid if the Product is (A) damaged or not maintained as reasonable or necessary, (B) modified, altered, or used as part of any conversion kits, subassemblies, or any configurations not sold by Uniden,"

From the above linked web page from the Federal Trade Commission:
"Each company used different language, but here are examples of questionable provisions:

• The use of [company name] parts is required to keep your . . . manufacturer’s warranties and any extended warranties intact.
• This warranty shall not apply if this product . . . is used with products not sold or licensed by [company name].
• This warranty does not apply if this product . . . has had the warranty seal on the [product] altered, defaced, or removed."

So it is clear that Uniden cannot legally void the warranty if non-Uniden parts are used.

The FTC exists to protect consumers from a variety of things, including 'company policies' that let companies weasel out of their warranty commitments.

Illegal statement is a stretch?

Here is another link that shows you are the one spreading bad information. Notice the bold and underlined parts.

"Documents released by the Federal Trade Commission to Motherboard named the six companies with illegal warranty policies: Sony, Nintendo, Microsoft, HTC, Asus and Hyundai. According to letters published Tuesday by Motherboard through a Freedom of Information Act request, the companies were given 30 days to change their policies or the FTC may “take law enforcement action and seek appropriate injunctive and monetary remedies” for violations.
Microsoft declined to comment. Sony, Nintendo, HTC, Asus and Hyundai did not respond to a request for commen't.

' If worries about voiding your warranty have ever kept you from trying to repair your own electronics or from visiting the cheap repair shop on the corner, the government has good news for you".

"The Federal Trade Commission recently announced that warning stickers that say people will void their warranties are not only meaningless but also illegal. These types of stickers are common on many electronics — for example, if you try to open an Xbox One X console, you'll find a black sticker over one of the screws; Microsoft has cited the sticker's absence as a reason to reject people's warranty claims in the past. Sony's PlayStation has a sticker that says, “Warranty void if seal damaged.”

"The agency said it sent letters about the labels to six “major” companies that make game consoles, automobiles and cellular devices. The FTC did not name the companies that received the letters. The agency said that these types of messages are in violation of the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, which prohibits companies from putting repair limits on warranties, and they may also violate rules against false representation".

"Kyle Wiens, chief executive of iFixit, said the FTC's announcement reaffirms consumer rights. “Of course correctly repairing products yourself doesn’t void the warranty. If you break your phone’s screen, you should have options outside of Apple for repairing it,” he said. “I’m glad that the FTC is cracking down on these abusive practices. We should be able to maintain our own hardware without fear of retaliation.”

Of course I am correct but the really sad part is that I provided proof. I provided links. Yet several people, without providing any sources said I was wrong and was providing bad information. Someone tries to help others out and is condemned by people who lack the knowlegde even when it has been provided to them. That's the amazing part.

I look forward to reading about the resolution of your legal challenge(s). Now get busy...

 

[Joe_Blough]

Joe...let it go. Your anger and resentment towards Uniden is obvious but since you don't own the scanner (which you fail to mention), you don't have any stake in the game (You haven't spent your hard earned money like the rest of us commenting). You're portraying yourself as an owner and giving the perception that you have tried these "fixes". Like the other thread, you dominated it with your obvious anger towards Uniden. Now you're on to a legal challenge with the warranty...enough already! As I and many happy owners others have said, if you buy it and it doesn't work as advertised, you can return it. You can try the other options before you return it too. This thread has run it's course like the other, and if Uniden plans on addressing this further, we will be notified.

So now that it has been proven AGAIN that I am right and you are wrong you say "enough". Thank you for admitting defeat and that I was right and you were wrong. We can repair devices we own without voiding the warranty and it is illegal for companies to tell us that it is.

 

[werinshades]

So now that it has been proven AGAIN that I am right and you are wrong you say "enough". Thank you for admitting defeat and that I was right and you were wrong. We can repair devices we own without voiding the warranty and it is illegal for companies to tell us that it is.

If it makes you feel better and you can now relax....sure, ok . Get busy with your legal challenges so we can all read about it Johnny.

 

[Joe_Blough]

It is time to ignore the one that doesn't know any better. I am glad he has an engineering degree and is a Harvard Law Graduate. The squad needs people like him to help them with their legal issues.

I know right! Even when given proof they continue to say repairing your own products or even opening them up voids your warranty. It is good there are people willing to help other who are taken advantage of by companies who use illegal warranty policies.

 

[Joe_Blough]

The basic FCC rules for a device meant to receive signals are simply that the device may not be able to be modified to receive frequencies not allowed, that the device must not cause interference and must accept signals that may cause undesired operations.
Now, knowing that, what does grounding a display module to eliminate hum have anything to do with the FCC or any certification Uniden has from the FCC concerning this device you ask? ABSOLUTELY NONE!
I further believe that if I choose to ground the display module to "fix" Unidens haphazard "mitigation part" that "cures the hum" heard in the audio, and I am capable of doing so without damage, I am fully within the law to do so as long as it causes no further harm to the receiver, and due to the fact the manufacturer tried and failed, my warranty shall still be valid for this device!
Simple, isn't it? All due to the manufacturer trying and failing at their attempt to fix the issue and not following up when it was realized the first fix failed..
So you can calm down, the "consumer police" are not going to come arrest you for fixing your own radio! Although the fire department (or possibly the morgue technician) might if you don't know what it is you are doing!

Normal scanning may now resume..

Thank you StaticDischarge for being a voice of reason. Your statements are completely correct and accurate in all regards.

 

[Joe_Blough]

If I buy a NEW CAR MODIFY THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION THEN DRAG RACE THE CAR AND THE ENGINE FAILS IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY ANY LONGER STOP SPREADING FAKE NEWS.

Not only are self repairs allowed, modifications are also allowed without voiding the warranty.

Link here

"Thanks to the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act of 1975 . This law forbids companies from voiding the warranty on a device that the owner opened up and repaired or modified themselves. As long as a repair or modification doesn’t damage other components, companies have no grounds to void your warranty, even if you break the sticker seal".

There you have it folks. even if it isn't considered a repair but instead a modification, it still does not void the warranty.

 

[werinshades]

Not only are self repairs allowed, modifications are also allowed without voiding the warranty.

Link here

"Thanks to the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act of 1975 . This law forbids companies from voiding the warranty on a device that the owner opened up and repaired or modified themselves. As long as a repair or modification doesn’t damage other components, companies have no grounds to void your warranty, even if you break the sticker seal".

There you have it folks. even if it isn't considered a repair but instead a modification, it still does not void the warranty.

This sentence would apply in the the scenario I mentioned:

"As long as a repair or modification doesn’t damage other components, companies have no grounds to void your warranty, even if you break the sticker seal".

In one of my posts, I used this as an example: If solder heated up, melted and caused a display failure, then I'm sure it voided the warranty.

Thanks for providing all of us the information.
But, if you think you have a good case here go Johnny:

Federal Trade Commission

The official website of the Federal Trade Commission, protecting America’s consumers for over 100 years.

www.ftc.gov

You must be "harmed" in order to file a complaint, not that you don't like a company or it's warranty policy.

Don't forget to add this:

• Details about the transaction: the amount you paid, how you paid, the date

We all look forward to a link or copy of the email detailing your resolution...

 

[Ubbe]

Odd if the s/n 384Z has no hum on your side. I had one unit with 384Z and uniden replaced it and I got a new one with same s/n 384Z.......

They all have that number as it is the model number of the scanner. The digit after the Z, or in some cases the 4:th position has a 2, indicates the location of the factory, a 6 are Vietnam and a 8 are China, then comes the actual date code that starts with the last digit of the year followed by another number that could be the batch number of that year or could be a number that increment with two months intervals, and the last 4 digits are the serial number.

To compare manufacturing dates/batches you have to look at the 2-3 digits that follows the Z6.

/Ubbe

 

[MCode]

Joe... Once again U are misquoting..

Enter "Apple product liability suits about battery replacement".... into Google.....
Nuff said...

Just my $0.02..