Theft security for the SDS100

[n1chu]

I use both my Uniden SDS100 and a Yeasu FT-5D to monitor. I lost my FT-5D the other day and after searching my truck cab twice I found it. The first check of the cab was for where I last remember having possession of the portable. The second search caused me to recheck the front seats AND the back seat. I have a 2021 Ford F-150 Lariat SuperCab, the one with the rear passenger door handle located inside. You need to first open up the front door to gain access to the rear door handle. The drivers shoulder/lap seatbelt is attached to that rear door. When I put the portable on my belt I accidentally attached it to the seatbelt, not my belt. When I opened the rear door I noticed it dangling from the seatbelt! Whew… thought I’d lost it forever!

Which brings me to my reason for posting. I’m not getting any younger and forgetfulness seems to be creeping into my life. I was worried about leaving my SDS100 or FT-5D behind in some coffee shop or any other place where I have a tendency to unclog the radio from my belt. The wife suggested I buy some Apple Air Tags, tracking devices no bigger than half dollar coin. Since I carry an Apple IPhone 13 the Air Tags were compatible and I could use their “Find Your Phone” feature! (I understand there is a google app that allows android phones to use the Air Tags also, with some restrictions.) So, I purchased 4 of the Air Tags and tethered one on the FT-5D and another on the SDS100 using sticky back tape. I mounted the Air Tag above the battery door and it slides into my aftermarket hard leather carry case from ScannerMaster without issue. Inclosed are pics of the project. Now it’s time to test the Air Tag for any interference that it may cause the scanner, but so far it seems to be working without any overloading but I want to further check it out with all my FL’s. My understanding is the Air Tags use Bluetooth technology to connect to any Bluetooth capable device close to it where the signal then gets pumped to the internet and allows the “Find my Phone” feature on my iPhone to locate the Air Tag attached to my radio. I’m also playing with the idea of hiding another Air Tag inside my truck so it can be tracked by myself if it ever gets stolen!

 

[tvengr]

You can put contact information on the opening screen. Anyone finding the scanner will know who to call. You can also put a label on the scanner. We engraved our radios at work.

 

[pb_lonny]

Good idea. I have been adding my name and mobile number to the start up screen of all my scanners that support this.

 

[Ubbe]

It's not really working as theft prevention or finding your stolen goods. Due to privacy reasons, to not be able to silently track and stalk people, both the apple and android tag are forced to announces itself on any nearby phone so the thief will always be notified of the tag and he then sets his phones to airplane mode and place the stolen items in a location without cellular coverage and tries to find the tags.

/Ubbe

 

[KK4JUG]

I have several CNC routers and lasers and I used the lasers to put my name, phone number (and maybe call letters) on my scanners and portable ham radios.

 

[trentbob]

You can put contact information on the opening screen. Anyone finding the scanner will know who to call. You can also put a label on the scanner. We engraved our radios at work.

This is something I have always done, haven't lost any radios to test the theory but you never know if some honest person will give you a call and let you know they found your radio. I would certainly pay a reward.

 

[Omega-TI]

Years ago, 23-25 maybe, I took my then new Kenwood TH79AD on vacation. I didn't realize I left it in a restaurant until I saw a vanity license plate in front of me and thought I'd put out a call on simplex to see if I'd get an answer... no radio... arrgh! A U turn and about 300 miles later I finally retrieved my radio, then another 300 miles back to where I realized I left it. Needless to say I added an extra day, tank of gas and hotel stay to my vacation. Ever since then I've been pretty good at not leaving things behind.

 

[522]

I'm sure no thief would ever see that Air Tag stuck to the side of it.

 

[Ensnared]

I use both my Uniden SDS100 and a Yeasu FT-5D to monitor. I lost my FT-5D the other day and after searching my truck cab twice I found it. The first check of the cab was for where I last remember having possession of the portable. The second search caused me to recheck the front seats AND the back seat. I have a 2021 Ford F-150 Lariat SuperCab, the one with the rear passenger door handle located inside. You need to first open up the front door to gain access to the rear door handle. The drivers shoulder/lap seatbelt is attached to that rear door. When I put the portable on my belt I accidentally attached it to the seatbelt, not my belt. When I opened the rear door I noticed it dangling from the seatbelt! Whew… thought I’d lost it forever!

Which brings me to my reason for posting. I’m not getting any younger and forgetfulness seems to be creeping into my life. I was worried about leaving my SDS100 or FT-5D behind in some coffee shop or any other place where I have a tendency to unclog the radio from my belt. The wife suggested I buy some Apple Air Tags, tracking devices no bigger than half dollar coin. Since I carry an Apple IPhone 13 the Air Tags were compatible and I could use their “Find Your Phone” feature! (I understand there is a google app that allows android phones to use the Air Tags also, with some restrictions.) So, I purchased 4 of the Air Tags and tethered one on the FT-5D and another on the SDS100 using sticky back tape. I mounted the Air Tag above the battery door and it slides into my aftermarket hard leather carry case from ScannerMaster without issue. Inclosed are pics of the project. Now it’s time to test the Air Tag for any interference that it may cause the scanner, but so far it seems to be working without any overloading but I want to further check it out with all my FL’s. My understanding is the Air Tags use Bluetooth technology to connect to any Bluetooth capable device close to it where the signal then gets pumped to the internet and allows the “Find my Phone” feature on my iPhone to locate the Air Tag attached to my radio. I’m also playing with the idea of hiding another Air Tag inside my truck so it can be tracked by myself if it ever gets stolen!

I am dealing with the same problem. At age 69, I am becoming more forgetful. Some of my memory has been further exacerbated by my lifestyle, but that is not going to change.

I leave my SDS 100 and 436 HP radios everywhere. I have attached one of these tiles to my Nikon D7500 and most of my valuables. This model of Tile is quite different. Unlike other Tile models, this one allows battery replacement. Luckily, I still have my radio.
https://www.amazon.com/Tile-RE-2100...la-825811205230&ref=&adgrpid=76690811497&th=1

I do not recommend buying directly from Tile. The misused my card information once by signing me up with an advanced offer I did not solicit.

When I finally figure out where I left my radio, I will generally approach customer service after setting off the alert.

Yes, I also have my name, driver's license number, and telephone number on the welcome screen in the event an honest person finds my possessions.

"Onward Through The Fog" Oat Willies

 

[blackbelter]

It would be great if Uniden incorporates the " Find My Device" software within the Sentinel, however first the scanners need to have BT connectivity.

 

[hexagon_keyhole]

I know you were looking at playing around and testing for interference and thus a removable solution, but if you decide to make it more permanent looking, I've had luck with Elevation Lab TagVaults. I've got a couple set up through various little things that I have just in case.

 

[greggk]

Have you considered insurance? Sometimes home or car insurance can help. If not, it's probably possible to get a cheap policy. FWIW. Greg

 

[n1chu]

It's not really working as theft prevention or finding your stolen goods. Due to privacy reasons, to not be able to silently track and stalk people, both the apple and android tag are forced to announces itself on any nearby phone so the thief will always be notified of the tag and he then sets his phones to airplane mode and place the stolen items in a location without cellular coverage and tries to find the tags.
/Ubbe

Have you considered insurance? Sometimes home or car insurance can help. If not, it's probably possible to get a cheap policy. FWIW. Greg

Insurance is also good. I believe the ARRL offers policy’s for your radio gear. I don’t know if there are restrictions on scanners today but I’ve used their insurance in the past.

 

[n1chu]

I use both my Uniden SDS100 and a Yeasu FT-5D to monitor. I lost my FT-5D the other day and after searching my truck cab twice I found it. The first check of the cab was for where I last remember having possession of the portable. The second search caused me to recheck the front seats AND the back seat. I have a 2021 Ford F-150 Lariat SuperCab, the one with the rear passenger door handle located inside. You need to first open up the front door to gain access to the rear door handle. The drivers shoulder/lap seatbelt is attached to that rear door. When I put the portable on my belt I accidentally attached it to the seatbelt, not my belt. When I opened the rear door I noticed it dangling from the seatbelt! Whew… thought I’d lost it forever!

Which brings me to my reason for posting. I’m not getting any younger and forgetfulness seems to be creeping into my life. I was worried about leaving my SDS100 or FT-5D behind in some coffee shop or any other place where I have a tendency to unclog the radio from my belt. The wife suggested I buy some Apple Air Tags, tracking devices no bigger than half dollar coin. Since I carry an Apple IPhone 13 the Air Tags were compatible and I could use their “Find Your Phone” feature! (I understand there is a google app that allows android phones to use the Air Tags also, with some restrictions.) So, I purchased 4 of the Air Tags and tethered one on the FT-5D and another on the SDS100 using sticky back tape. I mounted the Air Tag above the battery door and it slides into my aftermarket hard leather carry case from ScannerMaster without issue. Inclosed are pics of the project. Now it’s time to test the Air Tag for any interference that it may cause the scanner, but so far it seems to be working without any overloading but I want to further check it out with all my FL’s. My understanding is the Air Tags use Bluetooth technology to connect to any Bluetooth capable device close to it where the signal then gets pumped to the internet and allows the “Find my Phone” feature on my iPhone to locate the Air Tag attached to my radio. I’m also playing with the idea of hiding another Air Tag inside my truck so it can be tracked by myself if it ever gets stolen!

As I mentioned, I was going to see if the Air Tag would interfere with the operation of the SDS100. I happy to report I have experienced none on the SDS100, BCD325P2 or my Yeasu FT-5D.

As my intention is to use the Air Tags to combat old age forgetfulness and not nessarily theft. I made no claim the tags protect against someone stealing my radio. Anyone determined on stealing will usually get away with it. However, by and large the Air Tags do provide a certain level of security against theft… just not completely or for very long! A thief is going to get your radio if that’s what he sets out to do. So, the only real protection is to leave it home… but that’s just not practical. So my aim is to find my radio before someone else does. And that’s where the Air Tags come in.

I didn’t bring up the “protection against theft” angle but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth mentioning. It is. So a tip of the hat to Ubbe for his cautioning statement against using Air Tags as anti-theft or tracking devices… Apple’s approach is not coming from WHY you are missing something instead, helping to find…they were never designed/marketed to prevent theft but they are still pretty good at helping prevent. The explanation as to how they work or more importantly, why they may not work, was also quite beneficial because there are instances when Air Tags will not work, period. Good addition by Ubbe.

 

[GlobalNorth]

I'm sure no thief would ever see that Air Tag stuck to the side of it.

You'd be shocked at how blatantly stupid some thieving types are.

 

[n1chu]

I'm sure no thief would ever see that Air Tag stuck to the side of it.

The Air Tag is stuck to the back of the radio and the radio is inside a hard leather carry case. No one can see it while tucked in the carry case. Theft is not the immediate issue... Its main purpose is hopefully to protect against something I did, leaving my radio somewhere by mistake. But it might help should someone find the radio and decide to keep it... provided the Air Tag isnt disovered right away.

 

[blackbelter]

Last discovered place will also may aid to the re discovery.

 

[n1chu]

Last discovered place will also may aid to the re discovery.

A very real possibility. But my original intent was to show others (that may become slightly absent minded) a way of helping overcome an unfortunate episode of the loss of a piece of property. I am going to attend an air show next week. I’ve got 3 portable radios I intend to take with me and have tagged them. After the show I will keep the radios tagged until I have another assignment for the Air Tags.

So, with that intent satisfied, I’d like to close this thread. I believe we’ve covered it all. Anything further can always generate a new thread.

 

[N9JIG]

If you have a smaller SDS100 battery I think the AirTag would fit inside the battery cover when using the larger battery cover and smaller battery. I might try that!

If you know anyone skilled at 3D printing design perhaps they can create an AirTag holder imbedded in a replacement battery holder.

 

[522]

Theft is not the immediate issue... Its main purpose is hopefully to protect against something I did, leaving my radio somewhere by mistake.

I must be confused then, because the title of your post is: "Theft security for the SDS100"

There are some cool AirTag holders on Amazon I saw the other day. Might be worth a look see.