SDS100/SDS200: Trouble receiving analog channels

[Fallguy67]

I just very recently purchased an SDS100. Overall I'm enjoying being able to hear digital broadcasts that I couldn't receive on my BC125AT.

However it seems that the SDS100 is not doing so well with analog channels compared to the BC125AT.

Side-by-side the BC125AT will be picking up a channel, pretty clear, and the SDS100 doesn't always pick it up, I do see it scan past the system. When the SDS100 does pickup the analog channel, many times it doesn't seem as clear as it does on the BC125AT.

I have tried different locations in the house (sometimes does make a slight difference sometimes), I have a RH77CA Diamond antenna that I had or use with the BC125AT, I have tried switching back and forth to each scanner, also doesn't seem to make a big difference.

I figure it has to be something I'm doing wrong, otherwise can't believe that such an expensive and modern scanner has trouble with analog broadcast.

To add, I am BRAND NEW to digital scanning.

Thanks for any help.

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

I figure it has to be something I'm doing wrong, otherwise can't believe that such an expensive and modern scanner has trouble with analog broadcast.

The SDS100's sub-par analog quality has been discussed many times here on the forums, nothing you're doing wrong. Some threads I linked below offer a few suggestions like upgrading the antenna (which you did), adjusting the audio filters (info in this post), among other things. The internal speaker isn't the best so that puts it a bit behind other receivers. I only use my SDS100 for the digital voices (P25, DMR, NXDN) and not much else. Yes, analog is a bit of a disappointment at its price point but it's a champion on simulcast trunked radio systems

SDS100/SDS200: - Audio Quality

This may well have been posted numerous times. Why does the SDS100 have really poor audio quality from the speaker?? Is there any way to improve this somehow? Compared to all other scanner it seems the treble is way too high and the audio is very obnoxious and scratchy. If I turn it up above...

forums.radioreference.com

SDS100/SDS200: - Newbie question about SDS100 and conventional system reception

A newbie question that I've seen tossed around, but hoping for something more definitive... I have a BC125AT as well as my new SDS100. On the 125 I could pick up a department 10 miles away, loud an clear. Even louder than my local dept. But on the SDS100, that dept comes in not very strong and...

forums.radioreference.com

SDS100/SDS200: - SDS100 Terrible Reception

I recently moved from Northern Virginia to the Buffalo NY area with my SDS100. In NoVA, most systems there are 800 MHz P25 which I had no problem receiving on my scanner with a REM-810S antenna. Now that I’ve moved, I replaced my antenna with a REM-842S as the systems here are a mix of 400 MHz...

forums.radioreference.com

 

[RandyKuff]

You can also try filter settings... I believe @fxdscon put this together...
Click it to download it to your computer...

 

[Fallguy67]

Thank you, gentleman. I did look back a little ways in the forum, but got sidetracked and didn't do a search.

I'll check all this out.

 

[mc48]

Turn the filters off.

 

[RandyKuff]

Turn the filters off.

I suggest you look at the filter PDF file...

Those settings can vary by the users location... And true... You may not need them at all...

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

Turn the filters off.

Not everyone's RF environment is the same. Experimentation with filters is key

 

[mc48]

No need to read what someone else suggests, Turning the filters off for analog works for me and he was looking for suggestions.

 

[RandyKuff]

Filters are not on by default... You have to enable them...

 

[mc48]

Filters are set to Global, Normal by default.

 

[nessnet]

Also, one point.
To do an actual side by side comparison, the only accurate way is to use a common antenna and a multi-coupler.
Then, you know they are getting the exact same signal into each radio's antenna port.