Newbee question. Are there any scanners other than the SDS100 & SDS200 that can handle Simulcast scanning? I am living in an area with P25 Phase II Simulcast so I want to make sure I am getting the right one.
Good idea except he can't keep up stock quantity.The Blue Tail Technologies P25RX is a superb low cost solution, and the proprietor is VERY RESPONSIVE on this forum and continually updating his product.
Also the blue tail appears to require a computer, AFAIK it's not a stand-alone product. Hopefully they will come out with an integrated display and control head at some point, but this product seems to have a lot of potential.Good idea except he can't keep up stock quantity.
I'm not sure if it's 100% reliant on a computer, or if the computer is being used as the "battery".Also the blue tail appears to require a computer, AFAIK it's not a stand-alone product. Hopefully they will come out with an integrated display and control head at some point, but this product seems to have a lot of potential.
But yeah, the SDS is the only scanner (non-commercial radio) that handles simulcast, as well as Trunked DMR/NXDN. So whatever you think about the reviews, it's competing against itself...
If you don't need mobility I suggest trying a SDR dongle, very low cost and very good.
I don't own one of the BlueTail receivers, but from what I gather, reading the posts, you use a PC to program it. Once that's done, you can either continue using the PC for power, or power the receiver from another source. That could be a wall wart if used at home, or, if mobile, either a 12V to USB power adapter, or one of the power packs used to charge cellphones & tablets. So, while that's not as 'portable' as a handheld SDS100, it would be usable while mobile in a vehicle.I'm not sure if it's 100% reliant on a computer, or if the computer is being used as the "battery".
Either way, I would suggest OP go with the SDR if s/he doesn't plan on moving it around, or the sds100 if s/he needs portable.
I don't have one either, I was actually looking into them, but decided against it after I learned I needed to carry a battery pack around with me to use it. Still a neat idea that he came up withI don't own one of the BlueTail receivers, but from what I gather, reading the posts, you use a PC to program it. Once that's done, you can either continue using the PC for power, or power the receiver from another source. That could be a wall wart if used at home, or, if mobile, either a 12V to USB power adapter, or one of the power packs used to charge cellphones & tablets. So, while that's not as 'portable' as a handheld SDS100, it would be usable while mobile in a vehicle.
But if only home based usage is desired, then the SDR & PC is certainly the most affordable solution.
You must have Sentinel, which is a free download from Uniden, in order to maintain the database as well as apply any firmware updates that might be released. You can also program via Sentinel, either manually entering systems, or appending data from the main database.Thanks all. I bit the bullet and got an SDS200, since all public safety around me is P25 simulcast. Just need to figure out which software is best to control and program it.
Thanks all. I bit the bullet and got an SDS200, since all public safety around me is P25 simulcast. Just need to figure out which software is best to control and program it.