SDS200 Hum repaired, but returned

[iMONITOR]

If the sds100 does not hum shouldn't uniden get clue from that to solve the issue

No they're not the same. Mechanically it's a complete unique design and assembly, totally different, not even the same screen. And it is a mechanical issue that is causing the electrical issue.

 

[Firekite]

And it is a mechanical issue that is causing the electrical issue.

Ooh, please elaborate!

 

[trentbob]

Thank you for clarifying. That makes more sense and casts doubt on bowed cases as causes and pressure-based mitigation. Is there a pool yet on how long before a C1-type fix is quietly implemented?

If the sds100 does not hum shouldn't uniden get clue from that to solve the issue

It may cast doubt on pressure-based mitigation but that's what works! If one was to have a bowed case and less pressure is applied on the top front center more pressure has to be exerted by reinforcing the wedge and applying pressure on the top middle center using the 3M tape. Loosening the screws on the inner case pressing down at the top front center then tighten the screws does cause a change. These mitigation methods are all we have.

As far as comparing the SDS 100 and 200. I think we're talking about apples and oranges secondary to the package.

I agree talking about our experiences and fixes is a creative and productive way to have this discussion.

 

[trentbob]

Walmart sells the SDS200 and has a 90 day return policy but you will pay sales tax that you might not have to pay by buying online.

Yes I had heard that before and there was some discussion about if the 90-day return policy was effective with this particular item and it was said why not?

So here's a thought, talk about vendors still having old stock, do you think Walmart bought a boat load of these radios at one time and are selling those possibly before the mitigation device installation or do you think they get it one radio at a time or in small batches from Uniden and thereby it's the latest stock?

My friend bought a Whistler from Walmart and within a few days went to his local store and picked it up so it gave me the impression it was coming from a Walmart Warehouse.

Interesting though to think that in 80 Days After purchase you could get in that long line at Walmart and just dump it on them for a refund.

Good tip.

 

[werinshades]

So the "hum" thread has been revived? Same contributors, saying the same thing with a "hope" Uniden is going to have some sort of massive product recall for a scanner that's working as promised. Call me an ol fuddy dud if you must, but my SDS200 has not disappointed me. Uniden has put out two fixes for this....a firmware upgrade which allows you to "turn off" the amp that powers the speaker, and a "mitigation part" which if everyone was paying attention to UPMan's posts will "reduce but not eliminate" whatever hum is bothering you. I ordered it, installed it in the event I sell this down the road and when asked, can say yes it's installed.

As we all know, UPMan is recovering from a major health issue. Uniden Support has taken the reigns and offers help when asked. We haven't heard of any new fixes from either of them and until we do you have a choice. If...and a big if...this "processor noise" is bothering you that much and you don't have simulcast issues like many of us have, return it while the window is open. For me...I own both the SDS 100 and SDS 200 and have been very happy with both. P25 simulcast reception is top knotch, once I tinkered with the filters I have my analog working better than my 536 in most cases. With that...maybe this thread might be closed next...lol!

 

[trentbob]

So the "hum" thread has been revived? Same contributors, saying the same thing with a "hope" Uniden is going to have some sort of massive product recall for a scanner that's working as promised. Call me an ol fuddy dud if you must, but my SDS200 has not disappointed me. Uniden has put out two fixes for this....a firmware upgrade which allows you to "turn off" the amp that powers the speaker, and a "mitigation part" which if everyone was paying attention to UPMan's posts will "reduce but not eliminate" whatever hum is bothering you. I ordered it, installed it in the event I sell this down the road and when asked, can say yes it's installed.

As we all know, UPMan is recovering from a major health issue. Uniden Support has taken the reigns and offers help when asked. We haven't heard of any new fixes from either of them and until we do you have a choice. If...and a big if...this "processor noise" is bothering you that much and you don't have simulcast issues like many of us have, return it while the window is open. For me...I own both the SDS 100 and SDS 200 and have been very happy with both. P25 simulcast reception is top knotch, once I tinkered with the filters I have my analog working better than my 536 in most cases. With that...maybe this thread might be closed next...lol!

I do appreciate your comments as I always have. As new people purchase the radio with the problem that you are very lucky not to have and therefore, don't even know what the problem is because you've never experienced it, they have questions and may not have read the volumes and volumes of information on how to mitigate the issue.

I would think that Uniden could benefit from hearing observations from new owners with the issue. I wish there was more information as far as the percentage of people without the problem and the people with the problem.

It's been a civil discussion so far and I hope that people who have never experienced the problem and therefore don't know what it is won't come on and pick fights and campaign to close the thread like all of the others.

Let's try to help the new people that are buying the radio to mitigate the problem the best they can. Any observations that people have are beneficial here. Let's just keep it civil and try to brainstorm the best we can. Fair enough?

 

[werinshades]

I do appreciate your comments as I always have. As new people purchase the radio with the problem that you are very lucky not to have and therefore, don't even know what the problem is because you've never experienced it, they have questions and may not have read the volumes and volumes of information on how to mitigate the issue.

I would think that Uniden could benefit from hearing observations from new owners with the issue. I wish there was more information as far as the percentage of people without the problem and the people with the problem.

It's been a civil discussion so far and I hope that people who have never experienced the problem and therefore don't know what it is won't come on and pick fights and campaign to close the thread like all of the others.

Let's try to help the new people that are buying the radio to mitigate the problem the best they can. Any observations that people have are beneficial here. Let's just keep it civil and try to brainstorm the best we can. Fair enough?

You should preface any response to anything here is you're "yet" to own one, but just going by what i've heard. Without knowing you, the new owners might be misled as to your experiences with this scanner. I remember, you played with a buddy's scanner for a little while etc. For those of us owners, observations are more credible.

I have a "processor noise" that I can hear if I'm paying attention and the room is quiet. But to be fair, when my house is totally quiet my Kenmore refrigerator can also be heard making a noise. I also hear creaks, vents expanding and contracting etc. If you're listening for it, you will hear it.

If the intent is to inform the new owners, you might refer them to this closed thread: SDS200 - SDS200 Hum Reports

No more needs to be said...that's fair, don't you think?

 

[trentbob]

as I've said before, at my job I am responsible for programming and maintaining the scanners we use. For the last 25 years I have been doing this including installing mobile units and repairs.

I use the sds200 on a regular basis and I'm very familiar with the radio as I am the one that programmed them and did the mitigation process on all of them.

Not having a bill of sale with my name on it does not disqualify me from programming, updating and taking those radios apart and mitigating the hum. It also doesn't disqualify me from making comment here. I have an SDS 100 and my Motorola gear that takes care of my P2 simulcast needs.

I hope that satisfies your requirements for me to continue posting here and let's get back on topic.

There should be an active thread at all times for Uniden to see new observations and comments from people who are still buying the radio and I hope we can keep this open and active so they have an idea of the most current observations.

So back on topic now.

 

[werinshades]

as I've said before, at my job I am responsible for programming and maintaining the scanners we use. For the last 25 years I have been doing this including installing mobile units and repairs.

I use the sds200 on a regular basis and I'm very familiar with the radio as I am the one that programmed them and did the mitigation process on all of them.

Not having a bill of sale with my name on it does not disqualify me from programming, updating and taking those radios apart and mitigating the hum. It also doesn't disqualify me from making comment here. I have an SDS 100 and my Motorola gear that takes care of my P2 simulcast needs.

I hope that satisfies your requirements for me to continue posting here and let's get back on topic.

There should be an active thread at all times for Uniden to see new observations and comments from people who are still buying the radio and I hope we can keep this open and active so they have an idea of the most current observations.

So back on topic now.

So not an owner...back on topic. 25 pages on the same thing here started by UPMan: SDS200 - SDS200 Hum Reports

 

[trentbob]

Your posts are off topic here. I understand you're not satisfied with my regular use of the SDS 200 and my responsibility to maintain them and mitigate the hum on them.

In order to stay on topic as the o p has already asked that we do I will not respond anymore to your provocation and attempt to sabotage the thread.

I agree with you there is a lot to read about this issue but for now this is the only active thread that Uniden can see that discusses the problem currently today, the return of the noise after it had been satisfactorily mitigated is a later development that seems to have popped up.

 

[werinshades]

Your posts are off topic here. I understand you're not satisfied with my regular use of the SDS 200 and my responsibility to maintain them and mitigate the hum on them.

In order to stay on topic as the o p has already asked that we do I will not respond anymore to your provocation and attempt to sabotage the thread.

I agree with you there is a lot to read about this issue but for now this is the only active thread that Uniden can see that discusses the problem currently today, the return of the noise after it had been satisfactorily mitigated is a later development that seems to have popped up.

SDS200 - SDS200 Hum Reports

 

[Firekite]

I hope that satisfies your requirements for me to continue posting here and let's get back on topic.

Pro tip when dealing with this style of Summer’s Eve applicator is to just say “I run [whatever the number is] SDS-200s” and leave it at that.

 

[MisterLongwire]

Interesting, however I have an idea. Lets start a new thread asking satisfied owners to come out and acknowledge their good working scanners, where they are located at, andbwhere they purchased their scanner(s) from. Then everyone will see that there are perfectly good working scanners out in the world, that they do exist, and it might interest Uniden with this situation. Who knows, it then just might make things happen and then we all just might get along. Just an idea...

 

[MCode]

Just for a moment...
Think about what would happen if Uniden faced up to the problem and agreed to fix each @ no cost including returning freight.
IMHO..
If a brand releases a product prematurely with either a hardware and/or software issues they should step up address the issue with corrective action... Then I think the tone of this thread may be revised..

Just my $0.02...

 

[trentbob]

Interesting, however I have an idea. Lets start a new thread asking satisfied owners to come out and acknowledge their good working scanners, where they are located at, andbwhere they purchased their scanner(s) from. Then everyone will see that there are perfectly good working scanners out in the world, that they do exist, and it might interest Uniden with this situation. Who knows, it then just might make things happen and then we all just might get along. Just an idea...

That is an excellent idea that I have called for before and if I remember there was a thread where people were asked to give their results of their purchase along with serial numbers. Of course that thread was closed after bickering started from those who don't have the issue and attacked those who did as complainers.

We need to hear from those who have no hum whatsoever, as We Have Heard on every single one of these threads and we need to hear from those who have it right out of the box and those who didn't have it but then it developed later. New results, new observations that are current for Uniden support to see.

Some people feel that the problem will be solved and other people feel that it's never going to be solved and live with it and move on. I'm sure you can imagine who has the hum and who doesn't in that debate LOL.

I'm glad I could contribute the mitigation methods that I used on the radios that I maintain and use.

 

[iMONITOR]

Ooh, please elaborate!

The current attempt at resolving the problem is to take a small piece of metal and wedge it inbetween two parts of the internal metal enclosure that do not appear to fit well or tight enough to create a good shielded common ground between the metal case and the metal frame of the display panel. In addition to that the hum very often returns possibly due to handling the radio, cold/warm expansion and contraction which indicates there is slight movement between the internal metal parts that it attempts to bridge that connection. This is further verified by the fact that on many radios simply squeezing the enclosure causes and intermittent connection of the ground connection.

 

[Joe_Blough]

Let's please try to keep this post to known sucessful methods used to mitigate the hum/buzz as much as possible using the Uniden fix-it-yo-self part.

I also do not subscribe to the returning of new SDS200's based on a prior knowledge that they can and do hum/buzz. If you want to go that route, ask the seller if they are OK with it first, since Uniden will not comp them for a defective scanner.

Paul

Do you work for Uniden? You, not being a moderator, want to keep this post about known sucessful methods to mitigate the hum using the Uniden part, but the entire reason for this thread is that the Uniden part has not been successful at mitigating the hum.

Your second paragraph says you don't think people should return the scanner based on prior knowledge of the hum. So if someone doesn't have prior knowledge of the hum but gets an SDS that has the hum it is okay to return it?

How do you know Uniden won't credit the retailer for the return of a defective (your words) scanner? That's exactly why manufacturers don't want you to take defective items you bought back to the retailer because they are forced to issue a credit because of the buying power the retailer has. Do you think if Walmart buys a million computers from HP a year, HP is going to refuse to credit them on a defective one or 10 or 20 and risk losing the future sales of millions of units?

If a retailer allows returns, especially for defective (your words) products, why is it the consumers responsibility to ask if hey are okay with it.I believe even Scanner Master allows you to return purchases if you aren't happy.

Now if 100% had the hum problem and people had prior knowledge knowingly bought them only to return them I would agree with you but we keep seeing people say how few have the problem.

If Uniden can't or doesn't want to really fix the issue than retailers can expect returns, and Uniden can expect to issue credits or expect retailers to stop buying the SDS200. People shouldn't be expected to keep a product with a problem as a charity donation to Uniden or the retailers.

 

[Joe_Blough]

I too am a bit mystified, and unsure of how pressure changes an electrical contact patch...I guess I am just used to antenna wire touching and passing a signal, might need to take the SDS into my engineering department and have the team figure it out for me.

Have you never heard of poor connections or "not making good electrical contact"? When you replace the battery in your car, why do you have to tightened the battery cables to the battery posts? Why not just lay them there? Why in electical house wiring do they use those caps to splice wires together? You know, the ones where after you twist the wires together you screw this cap on which applies pressue to the wires to make a good electrical connection?

Our of curiosity, will someone please confirm that this is a mechanical hum or buzz, not an electronic hum like a badly grounded speaker? I’m not sure how soldering a ground strap or whatever would address that. I’m surprised, however, that some sort of isolation (adhesive foam strips, rubber disks, whatever) would not help. But layers upon layers of copper tape make me think of the C1 issue with the first couple years of 436HP’s.

Do you think if no one already confirmed that it was an electrical noise people would be suggesting a ground strap? Do you think if it was a mechanical hum UPMan would be telling people to scrape off the piece of felt covering the metal chassis in order to make better contact? Do you think people would suggest using copper tape for a mechanical hum?

You came to this thread with what appears to be very little knowledge or reading of prior posts regarding the hum issue yet are quick to question people's suggestions for a fix and are surprised mechanical fixes like rubber disks wouldn't help as if you have already decided what the fix is.

I am having a hard time believing you two guys aren't trolling this thread.

 

[Joe_Blough]

So the "hum" thread has been revived? Same contributors, saying the same thing with a "hope" Uniden is going to have some sort of massive product recall for a scanner that's working as promised. Call me an ol fuddy dud if you must, but my SDS200 has not disappointed me. Uniden has put out two fixes for this....a firmware upgrade which allows you to "turn off" the amp that powers the speaker, and a "mitigation part" which if everyone was paying attention to UPMan's posts will "reduce but not eliminate" whatever hum is bothering you.

No the hum thread has not been revived. The "fixes" reduced the hum but it returned a month later for people who used the Uniden part to mitigate it. The original poster did not say the part didn't reduce the hum. It did. But the hum came back after a month for him and it least another person. In other words he is saying the Uniden part fix failed after a month.

As we all know, UPMan is recovering from a major health issue. Uniden Support has taken the reigns and offers help when asked. We haven't heard of any new fixes from either of them and until we do you have a choice. If...and a big if...this "processor noise" is bothering you that much and you don't have simulcast issues like many of us have, return it while the window is open. For me...I own both the SDS 100 and SDS 200 and have been very happy with both. P25 simulcast reception is top knotch, once I tinkered with the filters I have my analog working better than my 536 in most cases. With that...maybe this thread might be closed next...lol!

Great, glad to hear you have no issues so want the thread closed. Gee, I'm not sick so I think all hospitals should be closed. If I'm not sick I am free not to go to the hospital. You don't have the hum issue so you are free to skip this thread. If you want threads closed because they don't affect you apply to be a moderator.

The point of this thread us not to complain that the metal piece fix wasn't good enough. It's to let Uniden and potential buyers know that whatever good it did at mitigatng the hum doesn't last resulting in the same amount of hum as before the "fix".

 

[werinshades]

Interesting, however I have an idea. Lets start a new thread asking satisfied owners to come out and acknowledge their good working scanners, where they are located at, andbwhere they purchased their scanner(s) from. Then everyone will see that there are perfectly good working scanners out in the world, that they do exist, and it might interest Uniden with this situation. Who knows, it then just might make things happen and then we all just might get along. Just an idea...

Satisfied owner...Chicago,IL (Intermod hell!)...purchased when first released from Ham Station. Once filter firmware upgrades released, now have scanner humming away on all bands.