SDS100/SDS200: SDS200 Programming help

[jbrez]

Hello all. I haven't owned a scanner in over 25 years. I recently purchased the SDS200 from Uniden. I received it, downloaded Sentinel, updated my firmware and database. I created a profile, added all the channels to a favorites list, edited the list to have monitor and download set to on (off default), set my location, and wrote the lists to the scanner.

After uploading, I unplug the USB cord, it writes to the scanner and I get a message of "Scan Mode. Nothing to scan"

I am not trying to get encrypted channels, just local and state police/fire. I'm in Illinois. Any suggestions on what I may have missed?

Thank you in advance.

 

[nessnet]

Take a look here - my bet is service types, location control - or quick keys...

Nothing to Scan - The RadioReference Wiki

If you are still stuck, export and attach your favorite list and someone will be glad to take a look.

 

[RMason]

I created a profile, added all the channels to a favorites list,

Did you also include the control channels for the sites you wish to receive?

 

[ofd8001]

And also please look at: X36 "Nothing to Scan" Checklist as well as the manual's section on Nothing to Scan.

There are many little things that can cause this situation. Nothing major, just a pain to discover them.

This is a common thing for the new user.

 

[KC8LEA]

Needing help on the SDS200 Discovery mode. How do I name the session?, so that it matches the database? Note: This using the Ohio MARC's System.

 

[RT48]

Just checked what I have in Sentinel and mine says Ohio MARCS-IP.

 

[buddrousa]

Click on Edit Profile then click on Quick Key Status as seen in the picture below.

 

[jbrez]

Here's the two hpe files I have. I may have missed something minor from being a newer user. Can anyone take a look? Thank you!

 

[phask]

Here's the two hpe files I have. I may have missed something minor from being a newer user. Can anyone take a look? Thank you!

You have no Sites in either list.

SItes are the physical transmission sites or towers. You have to have at least 1, and the proper (closest) one to receive anything., All you have are talkgroups.

 

[jbrez]

Thanks for taking a look. I'm just slightly confused then. I'm sorry for sounding like I don't belong here. Last time I owned a scanner, I bought a book, programmed each specific frequency in and hit scan. This is a little more complex.

I am getting help this weekend possibly. I guess I'm having trouble finding the towers. When I watched all the videos for Sentinel, I took it as click your state, click your county, click the ones you wanted to hear, save, write to scanner. Where do I see the towers located or is it a setting in the SDS?

 

[Nasby]

The towers are listed in the sentinel software.

Open the sentinel software.

Click database (to the top left), then USA.
Select Ohio, then your county.

Then select Statewide and scroll down to Ohio Marc’s IP: multi agency.

Select your county then right click on it and select Append to favorites list. (You’ll need to create / name a list).

The software will download your county talkgroups along with every Marcs site in the state.

Avoid or delete the sights that are not close by you. (Usually only 2-3 sites will be close).

Add a favorites list quick key to the favorites list you just created and quick keys to the sites and talkgroups.

 

[phask]

The towers are listed in the sentinel software.

Open the sentinel software.

Click database (to the top left), then USA.
Select Ohio, then your county.

Then select Statewide and scroll down to Ohio Marc’s IP: multi agency.

Select your county then right click on it and select Append to favorites list. (You’ll need to create / name a list).

The software will download your county talkgroups along with every Marcs site in the state.

Avoid or delete the sights that are not close by you. (Usually only 2-3 sites will be close).

Add a favorites list quick key to the favorites list you just created and quick keys to the sites and talkgroups.

Op is not in Ohio - But do the same with where you are. (I already forget and deleted the import) Starcom?? Maybe

 

[dsn252]

I have been looking for a direct approach to do basically the same.I want to monitor Greene Dayton area and Montgomery Dayton, Ohio having fits with Sentinel with corrupted dates and then trying to clear all data, Multiple attempts then question myself is this right finally trying to program by zip code narrowing down to 1 mile but still getting multiple site pop up from the state.ARRGGHH!
Nasby Ive had scanners since Regency crystals then,Bearcat 3 4 100 210 250 300 GRE nor 996P2 this sds200 I hopefully will get this to work AGAIN after dozens of attempt but your plain language approach is what I have been looking for! Thanks
Springfield, Ohio BTW our city fathers took city police and fire off the clear during the Haitians issues. so after fifty years of listening Im trying not going cold turkey to hear radio comms.

 

[n1chu]

Yea, that “Range” setting is misleading. It’s NOT the actual miles from your location, not even close. I set mine to zero and still get agencies in adjoining states!

 

[n1chu]

You can blame the presidential election for the Haitian’s issue… bogus reports from unscrupulous people seemed to cause a knee-jerk reaction by the Springfield authorities (I’m sure they are just siding on the side of caution and will put their dispatches in the clear again, hopefully for your sake.

 

[dsn252]

why must I make a quick key Im am old school like the old bearcat where you punch it in but all they all say is make a quick key can someone give me a logical reason. and when I add County 57 Fire Law I label that one 57 but no quick ket should I name it 1,2 3 or what

 

[n1chu]

I’ve never used the QK’’s on my SDS200. Too much to remember at my age. I wear a bracelet with my name and address in case I forget who I am and where I live! Ha! I’m kidding. But seriously, there are those who swear by QK’s and those like me who have no need for them.

 

[dsn252]

good to know my thought is if i delete all the other towers that I dont want to hear, the ones not in Greene and Montgomery that should reduce anything from out of area. then I read where someone said just enter the control channels, is that possible on a big system to do yet still hear all the department have to say??And one more when you pick those system and append the sytem do I cut and save the frequencies or does Sentinel also do that automatically??and if I want to save where and when do I append them, ??

 

[Nasby]

Take a look at this video for programming It’s really helpful. The sds100 and 200 are programmed the same way.

 

[dsn252]

Thanks I had found him a few years back and I think thats when I first knew how to program this I took good notes answered some questions try it later Thanks