SDS200 Remote update?

[ENGINEERCARL1]

I'm working on a project where a SDS200 will be located at a remote location. Access 99% of the time will be via WAN connection.

My question is...can the frequency database (and/or the scanner's firmware) be updated remotely, without "laying hands" on the unit?

Happy Holidays all.

EC

 

[hexagon_keyhole]

I don't think there will be drastic frequency database changes that warrant daily updates, and I don't think a true headless remote update is possible. But, in a pinch, if you need to update the remote configuration, I've used remote desktop software like Team Viewer or Chrome Remote Desktop to help a friend out.

 

[ENGINEERCARL1]

I don't think there will be drastic frequency database changes that warrant daily updates, and I don't think a true headless remote update is possible. But, in a pinch, if you need to update the remote configuration, I've used remote desktop software like Team Viewer or Chrome Remote Desktop to help a friend out.

Thanks for the information.

I was wondering about those situations like I read in the manual where I would be expected to plug the scanner into USB and select a mode (Serial or Mass Storage) from the front panel. In those situations, I think I might need some "remote hands" that I might or might not have depending on the situation.

It's not a deal breaker, but something I wanted to be cognizant of from the start.

Carl

 

[jtwalker]

Put a win pc local to the scanner running ProScan And Sentinel. You can listen to and control remotely thru ProScan which can utilize a LAN connection to SDS200 and you can update firmware, profile and HP database using Sentinel accessed by Remote Desktop.

 

[ProScan]

I was wondering about those situations like I read in the manual where I would be expected to plug the scanner into USB and select a mode (Serial or Mass Storage) from the front panel. In those situations, I think I might need some "remote hands" that I might or might not have depending on the situation.

You don't need to be at the scanner location to put it in Mass Storage mode. Use a terminal emulator or my program to send a MSM, x command where x = seconds in Mass Storage mode before returning to Serial Port mode.

 

[ProScan]

Put a win pc local to the scanner running ProScan And Sentinel. You can listen to and control remotely thru ProScan which can utilize a LAN connection to SDS20 and you can update firmware, profile and HP database using Sentinel accessed by Remote Desktop.

On a LAN, the FTP mode will work to read & write the Favorites from & to the scanner. I don't think FTP will work on a WAN.

 

[ENGINEERCARL1]

ProScan,

Thanks so much for replying! I am already building a NUC with Win11 to co-locate with the scanner, and purchasing a key for your software was on my short list (in fact, it was the single reason I bought the SDS200).

Is there a manual for your software that would detail moving in and out of these different modes? I’m assuming I can leave the NUC connected full-time to the scanner with no ill effect?

Carl

 

[ProScan]

ProScan,

Thanks so much for replying! I am already building a NUC with Win11 to co-locate with the scanner, and purchasing a key for your software was on my short list (in fact, it was the single reason I bought the SDS200).

Is there a manual for your software that would detail moving in and out of these different modes? I’m assuming I can leave the NUC connected full-time to the scanner with no ill effect?

Carl

Different modes as in FTP Read and FTP Write functions or something else?

 

[ENGINEERCARL1]

In the meantime I downloaded the software and found the manual. It seems to me that an ethernet connection to the scanner isn’t really even necessary, unless you’re doing FTP to the unit. You’re doing all the necessary I/O for audio and control via the USB port.

My main concerns were finding the way you mentioned to update the database and/or firmware of the unit (if it becomes necessary), but if PuTTY is part of what I need to accomplish that, that’s good enough. I’m good with PuTTY.

Thanks for all your information!

Carl

 

[ProScan]

In the meantime I downloaded the software and found the manual. It seems to me that an ethernet connection to the scanner isn’t really even necessary, unless you’re doing FTP to the unit. You’re doing all the necessary I/O for audio and control via the USB port.

My main concerns were finding the way you mentioned to update the database and/or firmware of the unit (if it becomes necessary), but if PuTTY is part of what I need to accomplish that, that’s good enough. I’m good with PuTTY.

Thanks for all your information!

Carl

Sounds good except audio doesn't ride on the USB cable.

 

[ENGINEERCARL1]

Yeah, more reading of the manual bore that out.

Can I take the audio via network or am I limited to the microphone jack in the computer?

 

[ProScan]

Yeah, more reading of the manual bore that out.

Can I take the audio via network or am I limited to the microphone jack in the computer?

Yes, the network or Ethernet connection. The audio quality is the best as it's PCM digital all the way from the scanner to ProScan. So no analog audio signal with the inherent problems such as clipping, bleed over, long levels, ground loops, etc.

 

[ENGINEERCARL1]

Awesome. Thank you for the tips and your time.

Carl

 

[ProScan]

Awesome. Thank you for the tips and your time.

Carl

No problem. My free RadioFeed also supports the Ethernet connection. It has only the Source Client & Web Server features. It can feed the Ethernet audio from the scanner to the computer speaker.

 

[phask]

I just want to add. There have been a few that have asked the same question. One I remember was a complete "newbie" to scanners but was a programmer. His application was very similar to yours.

I have no idea how or what search terms you could use to find the threads.

 

[Remscan]

Mumble is a great OpenSource, low-latency program for sending your audio around.
My newest product allows users to control the 200 and listen using Mumble.

Mumble is free and is somewhat easy to set up. You can use your microphone port or add a USB audio card for it.

The 200 is a great radio.

John

www.remscan.com

 

[ENGINEERCARL1]

Thanks all for your assistance. I embraced the ProScan solution, as the use of a direct RTSP feed in terms of reliability and quality of audio couldn't be beaten. And it's taken a few weeks, but I am now more conversant and capable of programming the scanner from 2300 miles away using a local Win11 NUC box and a Remote Desktop Connection over a software VPN. Works pretty slick.

-EC