SDS200 Hum repaired, but returned

[allend]

I am pretty sure at this point the HUM noise is not coming back. I believe with the mitigation copper part and tin foil the case and the cover went thru cold and heat expansion which probably caused gaps with any grounding issues which probably caused the HUM to come and go but it never went away completely. The HUM would just get very quiet but always you could hear it. I had to squeeze the out case to minimize the noise and then it would come back.

Now with this complete break open with the radio and stripping the board down to the copper in all four screws was the fix. I have not heard anything since. Complete quietness which is a nice relief and more enjoyable to keep learning more on the radio and get it more dialed in to perfection on programming and using the filters and so on.

 

[TailGator911]

Whether it's a TV, a car, a cell phone, a radio, whatever. It's a moot point, really. I think I understand now, and there is no need for further inquiry. I do hope the hum does not return - ever.

 

[bravo14]

I'll find out Monday when the unit comes in. I hope they got it fixed by now.

 

[seth21w]

Is there a video of the lacquer removal fix yet? I would like to do this with mine!

 

[slicerwizard]

I've asked if the lacquer under the screws serves a purpose? I know everyone has an opinion, but Uniden's response is the final word.

Of course it doesn't serve a purpose. It doesn't guarantee isolation and isolation is obviously not desired, otherwise Uniden wouldn't be belatedly adding ground wires. Water gets into every engine crankcase and it doesn't serve a purpose either - no need to check with the manufacturer.

What is the reason that those of you who have bought and paid for faulty scanners that make a humming noise have kept them and toiled to find the error and formulated a fix for them all on your own?

Because we're not all appliance operators.

You seem to think that returning/exchanging is the better approach, but that could easily see you ending up with a crappy ground wire slapped on by some overworked tech on a rework bench and down the road, days after the warranty vaporizes, that wire fails and the hum comes back with a vengeance. I mean, you have seen the photos of that crappy wire, haven't you? Why do you think that's in any way better than fixing it properly?

 

[doctordialtone]

I'll say it again... This is why I don't rush out to buy scanners when they first come out - until there are plenty of reports that the scanner has no issues.

Why put up with all of this time and energy to get the scanner working properly? It seems simple to me to wait.

 

[TailGator911]

Just thinking from a consumer point of view. I believe it is the responsibility of the manufacturer to make it right. Why should the consumer be burdened with it? Just the way I do business, but each to his own. I have purchased three SDS200s that have no issues so I really don't have a dog in this fight, just an opinion. You can tell me that I will have the hum at some point in my future and it is inevitable, but I can say that about lightning strikes and tornados. If someone wants to buy defective merchandise and keep trying fixes for it, I suppose that is their business. As I always say, above all, have fun with it!

JD
kf4anc

 

[hiegtx]

I am pretty sure at this point the HUM noise is not coming back. I believe with the mitigation copper part and tin foil the case and the cover went thru cold and heat expansion which probably caused gaps with any grounding issues which probably caused the HUM to come and go but it never went away completely. The HUM would just get very quiet but always you could hear it. I had to squeeze the out case to minimize the noise and then it would come back.

Despite the sometimes heated discussions back and forth, and the frustration of users that still do have the hum issue, even after the mitigation part installed, this reasoning helps explain why some had the issue, some did not, and others did not have it until, like a bad habit, it came back. For units mounted in vehicles, besides the expansion and contraction due to temperature, you also have the added factor of vibration when the vehicle is moving. That also may contribute to the recurrence of the hum.

Now with this complete break open with the radio and stripping the board down to the copper in all four screws was the fix. I have not heard anything since. Complete quietness which is a nice relief and more enjoyable to keep learning more on the radio and get it more dialed in to perfection on programming and using the filters and so on.

By removing the lacquer and then fully seating the nuts on the shafts, a solid ground apparently has been established. That also can mean that the hum may be also permanently fixed.

While, so far, my SDS200 has never exhibited the hum, at least I have a plan of action should it manifest itself, thanks to the enterprise of many members who contributed to this thread.

 

[Firekite]

Why should the consumer be burdened with it?

It would be great if we weren’t. That’s not how most companies do business. It costs more, and that reduces the bottom line. So here’s a cheap piece of metal as a pacifier. Watch and see if new SDS200 owners no longer ever hear any hum here in a while because they quietly fixed the defect in their design (or QC) and are now shipping them with well grounded mounting screws. Kind of like they did with the missing C1 defect in the 436HP design.

 

[werinshades]

Of course it doesn't serve a purpose. It doesn't guarantee isolation and isolation is obviously not desired, otherwise Uniden wouldn't be belatedly adding ground wires. Water gets into every engine crankcase and it doesn't serve a purpose either - no need to check with the manufacture.

I'd rather wait to see what Uniden has to say. My SDS 200 is operating as intended, so I wouldn't be in a hurry to send it in and let those who have the issue get their's resolved before mine....if that's how Uniden is going to handle it?

 

[Firekite]

I'd rather wait to see what Uniden has to say.

Well then by all means continue coming in here and making sure we know that’s your preference.

My SDS 200 is operating as intended, so I wouldn't be in a hurry to send it in

Why would you send it in at all if it’s operating as intended??

 

[werinshades]

Well then by all means continue coming in here and making sure we know that’s your preference.


Why would you send it in at all if it’s operating as intended??

No need to send it in..unless something else happens. Hopefully before the warranty expires in January. I was responding to the quoted message about not needing to wait for the manufacturer etc.

Oh yea, so you know...I think I'll wait to see what Uniden has to say in case you were wondering what I plan on doing.. .

 

[sfb88]

Since scraping off the lacquer seems like the most potentially damaging step, is there any solvent available that would remove it with less chance of damage?

 

[trentbob]

I can't imagine there would be but the point here is to unscrew the screws and to remove the lacquer under the heads of the screws till it's bare copper then re tightening the screws well.

 

[slicerwizard]

is there any solvent available that would remove it with less chance of damage?

Sounds even less safe...

 

[SteveSimpkin]

Since scraping off the lacquer seems like the most potentially damaging step, is there any solvent available that would remove it with less chance of damage?

Unlikely. This appears to be the standard Solder Mask layer which is applied to circuit boards to avoid shorts between traces and adjacent component pads. It is often epoxy based and is then baked to cure it. It is very tough.

 

[allend]

Not sure why people are so worried about warranty and being scared to take on a small project. Just read very careful and take your time taking the radio apart. I got a little worried because I kept opening up more of the radio and kept digging and taking screws out and then I found out what needed to be done with the four screws. Took a small straight edge blade and scrapped a little at a time. Key here is take your time. Wear your reading glasses and a mag if needed. I just made sure I had plenty of work area and lighting and kept all screws in piles to remember where they will go back.

Once I was done I put the radio back together and no HUM. I was proud to be-able to fix it. Key also here is the X Key Tool. It's a must for 11 bucks on Amazon. As long as your take your time and stay focused you won't damage anything nor break anything.

Also, once you are able to fix it and it works great and more enjoyable to listen to. Then there is no worry about your radio being gone at Uniden for weeks at a time. It becomes a non-issue anymore. Even if they re-call the radios or whatever they decide to do it just means you won't need to be a part of it and lose your radio for a long time.

 

[mikewazowski]

If it's lacquer, try acetone or lacquer thinner on a q-tip.

 

[frazpo]

Since scraping off the lacquer seems like the most potentially damaging step, is there any solvent available that would remove it with less chance of damage?

Once you have radio taken apart and see what you need to do there isn't much chance of damage. There is plenty of room between the holes and components to work without messing anything up during the process.

 

[werinshades]

Not sure why people are so worried about warranty and being scared to take on a small project. Just read very careful and take your time taking the radio apart. I got a little worried because I kept opening up more of the radio and kept digging and taking screws out and then I found out what needed to be done with the four screws. Took a small straight edge blade and scrapped a little at a time. Key here is take your time. Wear your reading glasses and a mag if needed. I just made sure I had plenty of work area and lighting and kept all screws in piles to remember where they will go back.

Once I was done I put the radio back together and no HUM. I was proud to be-able to fix it. Key also here is the X Key Tool. It's a must for 11 bucks on Amazon. As long as your take your time and stay focused you won't damage anything nor break anything.

Also, once you are able to fix it and it works great and more enjoyable to listen to. Then there is no worry about your radio being gone at Uniden for weeks at a time. It becomes a non-issue anymore. Even if they re-call the radios or whatever they decide to do it just means you won't need to be a part of it and lose your radio for a long time.

I wouldn't exactly consider this a "small project" for the average consumer especially if involves buying additional tools to perform the task. If it involves taking a radio apart, their are too many variables and issues that could occur and if it doesn't go as planned and now the desperate user's scanner suddenly stops working...the warranty is voided.

How many have performed this modification successfully? Ho many of those had a background which involved taking apart electronics? How many "regular Joe's" have tried and had one of those "oh !@#$%" moments and stopped? We probably won't hear from them. Just wait and let Uniden advise us.