Sr. Citizen SDS-200 Questions: Getting Back Into Hobby

[BOBRR]

Hello,

Getting back into hobby, after several years.

a. Is there a specific RR Forum site dedicated to "technical" questions specifically for the SDS-200 ?
If not, what is the best Forum to Post technical questions on the SDS-200 too ?

b. Is there software available these days to run, and control, the SDS-200 on a MAC ? (free or otherwise)

c. It's been a number of years now, so I imagine there have been updates.

What are the links for, please, to update the firmware on the unit ? How, specifically, do I do it ?
And for Sentinel also ?

Thanks, appreciate the help,
Bob

 

[iMONITOR]

Welcome back Bob! I'm older than analog!

Try here for starters, lots of help!

Uniden Forums

Forums for the discussion of all Uniden scanning radios and receivers. The main forum is reserved for Official Uniden Announcements. Please choose a sub-forum for any other posts.

forums.radioreference.com

 

[nessnet]

A: Here
B: No - you need Windows
C: ?? Updates to what?
D: You update firmware via Sentinel

 

[fxdscon]

What are the links for, please, to update the firmware on the unit ? How, specifically, do I do it ?
And for Sentinel also ?

.
Bob... If you have lost your SDS200 owner's manual, you can download one here:

https://www.uniden.info/download/ompdf/SDS200om.pdf

First, be sure you have the latest version of Sentinel (v2.03.00) installed on your Windows PC. You can download it from here:

https://info.uniden.com/twiki/bin/view/Unidenman4/BCDx36HPSentinel

Then you can check your SDS200 owner's manual on pages 10 and 11 for full and easy instructions to update the firmware in the scanner, and the database in Sentinel and the scanner.

If you don't have access to a Windows PC, read this guide from Scanner Master:

Mac Users of Police Scanner Radios | ScannerMaster.com

Mac Users of Police Scanner Radios.

www.scannermaster.com

 

[gary123]

Welcome back. Also look into how the scanner handles encrypted services. This may save you some frustration if a local service of interest is encrypted. Other than that the information above will make your return experience a lot more enjoyable.

 

[iMONITOR]

When all else fails, there's always this!

Easier to Read SDS100/200 Digital Scanner Manual

 

[jaspence]

I got a low end HP Win 11 laptop on sale for about $225. You might also check a refurbished laptop, but Windows 10 goes out of support around the middle of next year and is not likely to upgrade to 11 without some well published tricks that do not guarantee they will work long term.

 

[smithken]

I got a low end HP Win 11 laptop on sale for about $225. You might also check a refurbished laptop, but Windows 10 goes out of support around the middle of next year and is not likely to upgrade to 11 without some well published tricks that do not guarantee they will work long term.

Windows 10 will go out of support on October 14, 2025, not the middle of 2024.

 

[nessnet]

Windows 10 will go out of support on October 14, 2025, not the middle of 2024.

And.... out of support does not mean non-functional.
If it's just being used for Sentinel, it'll do just fine.

 

[jaspence]

Sorry, didn't proof read and was a typo on 10 date. What is important is that 10 has no more updates like 22H2 and will only get security updates.

 

[dave3825]

And.... out of support does not mean non-functional.
If it's just being used for Sentinel, it'll do just fine.

Very true and the latest Sentinel will still run on Windows 7 which went out of support in 2020.

 

[BOBRR]

Hello,

Getting back into hobby after many years. Many.
Sr. Citizen now; very.

Have a few very basic questions, please:

a. Could someone please provide the Uniden link to download the latest
Sentinel version for my SDS-200

b. And also Tthe link for PoScan, which if I remember right is a paid program.
Opinions on whether worth it, or not ?

c. Have been using a Mac for last few years, so will have to re-learn all the Windows nuances.
Many of my very old Uniden items seems to be in "something" called "One Drive" rather
than a typical Folder. What is One Drive please ? How do I access it ?

d. Very specific instructions (blame it on old age) on how to update my SDS-200 Firmware.
I imagine there have been several revisions by now.

Thanks for help.
Really and truly appreciated.

Bob

 

[fxdscon]

a. Could someone please provide the Uniden link to download the latest
Sentinel version for my SDS-200

.
That link was provided for you in post #4 above.

d. Very specific instructions (blame it on old age) on how to update my SDS-200 Firmware.
I imagine there have been several revisions by now.

.
The complete and easy to follow instructions for updating the firmware and database in your SDS200 are in your owner's manual. A link to download the manual and the specific pages in that manual where you can follow those instructions was provided for you in post #4 above.

And also Tthe link for PoScan, which if I remember right is a paid program.
Opinions on whether worth it, or not ?

.
ProScan is definitely worth the cost, you won't find a better program anywhere at any price. You can download it from the ProScan website:

ProScan

Computer Aided Scanning Software for the Uniden BC125AT BC250D BC296D BC346XT BC346XTC BC780XLT BC785D BC796D BCD160DN BCD260DN BCD325P2 BCD396T BCD396XT BCD436HP BCD536HP BCD996P2 BCD996T BCD996XT BCT15 BCT15X BR330T SDS100 SDS100E SDS200 SDS200E UBC125XLT UBC126AT UBCD3600XLT UBCD436PT...

proscan.org

 

[BOBRR]

Hi Folks,

Thanks so much for all the suggestions, and help.
Much appreciated.

I guess what was throwing me for the Sentinel for the SDS-200 is that none of the downloads I found
said, explicitly, for the SDS-200.

So, per comments, I just downloaded version 2.03.00, which I will assume is for the SDS-200.

True ?

Thanks again for help; will undoubtedly
have many more questions as I get going again.

Regards,
Bob

 

[fxdscon]

Hi Folks,

Thanks so much for all the suggestions, and help.
Much appreciated.

I guess what was throwing me for the Sentinel for the SDS-200 is that none of the downloads I found
said, explicitly, for the SDS-200.

So, per comments, I just downloaded version 2.03.00, which I will assume is for the SDS-200.

True ?

Thanks again for help; will undoubtedly
have many more questions as I get going again.

Regards,
Bob

.
The descriptions in the changelog on the page for Sentinel v2.03.00 at the link posted above show support for the SDS200 starting with v2.01.00

2.00.10 --> 2.01.00

• Add support for SDS200

Also, when you start the program, this is the splash screen:

 

[RMason]

So, per comments, I just downloaded version 2.03.00, which I will assume is for the SDS-200

Yes. That is the latest version for the BCD436hp, BCD536hp, SDS100, and SDS200.

 

[nessnet]

ProScan is definitely worth the cost, you won't find a better program anywhere at any price. You can download it from the ProScan website:

One other point: Bob (Mr. ProScan) monitors here and is always willing to jump in and help.
So.... great support with ProScan also.
(And... willing to help not just with ProScan exclusivly...)