Surecom SF401 Freq Counter/Tone Decoder - Anyone Using?

[KC1UA]

I came across this device while looking for CTCSS/DCS tone decoders on eBay. The link to this YouTube video appears to show it in operation, counting a frequency and displaying tone information sent by a (very) nearby HT.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4SNTwUdMVw

At a price of under $50 delivered I wonder if it's worth a try as a "kick around" frequency snooper. I know I can accomplish this as well with my BCD325P2, but it's a lot more expensive and I'd rather inadvertently damage the cheaper item.

Has anyone used one of these and if so can you comment? I don't expect the world out of a cheap device but I'm curious. Thanks in advance.

Scott

 

[VE6DE]

Surecom SF-401

I came across this device while looking for CTCSS/DCS tone decoders on eBay.
At a price of under $50 delivered I wonder if it's worth a try as a "kick around" frequency snooper. I know I can accomplish this as well with my BCD325P2, but it's a lot more expensive and I'd rather inadvertently damage the cheaper item.

Has anyone used one of these and if so can you comment? I don't expect the world out of a cheap device but I'm curious. Thanks in advance.

Scott

Scott I receved one a couple of weeks ago,and have tried it on a bunch of UHF portables, on a vhf mobile, and on my old cell phone. Works well on all of them... really quite slick. Haven't tried the wifi yet... can't get it to work on the cordless phone. Has adjustment for frequency offset for both frequency and tone, and I played a bit with the frequency... trouble is i don't have a "standard" to use it with!...
For the price, seems to be a handy counter and I can now retire an old heathkit one I have collecting dust under the desk. I haven't tried it on HF yet... so will be interesting to see how it works there.

 

[KC1UA]

Thanks! I may grab one for the heck of it. I appreciate the response!

 

[cmdrwill]

Looks to be a lot handier than dragging the ole service monitor along. How much did you actually pay with' shipping' in the US?

 

[KC1UA]

The two eBay links I found the other day totaled $47 delivered. One had free shipping, the other a $9 shipping charge with a cheaper purchase price. Both were Hong Kong dealers with what appeared to be good eBay history.

 

[wqdh606]

surecom-sf401

I got one of these at the '409Shop' for $38. including shipping (from Hong Kong). dont have the link, but I found it ion e-Bay.

 

[W5TXR]

Surecom SF401Plus - Save your Money!

What a disappointment! I received my counter with NO instructions and Im an educated person so I can figure most things out, but the initial look at it NONE of the front panel buttons are labeled nor is the switch on top. So the W5TXR "OOB factor" (Operate Out of the Box) score is an automatic Zero! Once charged and powered up the front panel buttons come to light, Well sort of....there is just too much to get into with out writing a column on this device other than the biggest thing, it has bugs. In short, there are better devices available for , example the XH-560S Counter (on ebay) is less money and comes with instructions and the W5TXR "OOB Factor" Score was a 70 It decoded the DP and DPL too.
In short, looks pretty, but does not get the job done!
73's Mark