blackbelter
Member
- Joined
- Feb 1, 2004
- Messages
- 890
My G5 sounds are full and rich. No audio distortion even pass 70-80.
-
To anyone looking to acquire commercial radio programming software:
Please do not make requests for copies of radio programming software which is sold (or was sold) by the manufacturer for any monetary value. All requests will be deleted and a forum infraction issued. Making a request such as this is attempting to engage in software piracy and this forum cannot be involved or associated with this activity. The same goes for any private transaction via Private Message. Even if you attempt to engage in this activity in PM's we will still enforce the forum rules. Your PM's are not private and the administration has the right to read them if there's a hint to criminal activity.
If you are having trouble legally obtaining software please state so. We do not want any hurt feelings when your vague post is mistaken for a free request. It is YOUR responsibility to properly word your request.
To obtain Motorola software see the Sticky in the Motorola forum.
The various other vendors often permit their dealers to sell the software online (i.e., Kenwood). Please use Google or some other search engine to find a dealer that sells the software. Typically each series or individual radio requires its own software package. Often the Kenwood software is less than $100 so don't be a cheapskate; just purchase it.
For M/A Com/Harris/GE, etc: there are two software packages that program all current and past radios. One package is for conventional programming and the other for trunked programming. The trunked package is in upwards of $2,500. The conventional package is more reasonable though is still several hundred dollars. The benefit is you do not need multiple versions for each radio (unlike Motorola).
This is a large and very visible forum. We cannot jeopardize the ability to provide the RadioReference services by allowing this activity to occur. Please respect this.
Unication G5 audio vs SDS-100
- Thread starter ve52001
- Start date
- Status
ve52001
Member
Yeah I might eventually get both. But just being around the metroplex I might go with the G5 based on the compact size and ruggedness. I first was thinking of getting a APX900 and do the NAS scan but messing with the Motorola stuff can be a pain. I used to program two way radios back in the days when I was a volunteer fireman, but it was much simpler back then. We just had a repeater and it was analog.
Dropping both on the ground the G5 will win and sounds better to me, plus it has bluetooth so you can wear an earbud or two if ambient noise is too loud. SDS does more but battery life isn't great, my G5 goes about 15-16 hours.
I have to keep track of my G5's time. 3hrs a day four times a week on a charge for sure. I'm sure it's around 16 or so maybe 18
I've had my G5 for maybe a year and a half... give or take. Since then I could likely count on 1 hand where I've used my SDS over the G5.
G5 is..
- compact and discreet
- far better battery life
- can easily connect a BT earbud for even more discreet listening
- excellent audio quality
- surprisingly sensitive for such a small/built in antenna
- supports encryption (if you can utilize that)
SDS is..
- more flexible in listening options (freq range/digital modes etc)
- program on the fly
- displays more info
- using while connected to a GPS can't be beat while travelling. Easily my fav feature of the SDS
Just some observations off the top of my head.
G5 is..
- compact and discreet
- far better battery life
- can easily connect a BT earbud for even more discreet listening
- excellent audio quality
- surprisingly sensitive for such a small/built in antenna
- supports encryption (if you can utilize that)
SDS is..
- more flexible in listening options (freq range/digital modes etc)
- program on the fly
- displays more info
- using while connected to a GPS can't be beat while travelling. Easily my fav feature of the SDS
Just some observations off the top of my head.
blackbelter
Member
- Joined
- Feb 1, 2004
- Messages
- 890
G5:
- Clear audio with no distortion. Stronger audio with an amp charger and or a Noxgear 39g in my car ( Your system,'s audio may wary). Automatically Connects to my AirPods Pro.
- Form factor. Small enough to be easily carried.
- Built like a tank.
- Never misses a key up on my targeted systems. Compare to my SDS 200.
- Requires little interaction with the device after the initial set up ( other than changing zones and or volume level).
- Hold or ignore Talk groups.
- Awesome support from Ray ( Dealer ).
- As mentioned before 12 or more hours on a single battery charge.
- Professional grade device.
- 2 years of warranty.
- Clear audio with no distortion. Stronger audio with an amp charger and or a Noxgear 39g in my car ( Your system,'s audio may wary). Automatically Connects to my AirPods Pro.
- Form factor. Small enough to be easily carried.
- Built like a tank.
- Never misses a key up on my targeted systems. Compare to my SDS 200.
- Requires little interaction with the device after the initial set up ( other than changing zones and or volume level).
- Hold or ignore Talk groups.
- Awesome support from Ray ( Dealer ).
- As mentioned before 12 or more hours on a single battery charge.
- Professional grade device.
- 2 years of warranty.
Last edited:
belvdr
No longer interested in living
- Joined
- Aug 2, 2013
- Messages
- 2,567
This feature is a hack, though. The TG has to be active to hold or ignore it. However, it's still my preferred device.
ve52001
Member
Well I decided to go with the Unication G5 today and ordered a Motorola 800Mhz stubby antenna, screen protector, and drop charger. I will get a SDS100 in the future, but for now, I like the fact how small this unit is, more rugged, and will be easy to carry in and out of my truck for around the DFW metroplex. I will carry it on the go to and from work. If anyone was curious I ordered the pager from Ray's Pager, after reading good reviews in this forum. Thank you all for your inputs and I'm sure I will enjoy my new toy. Right now my local PD and FD is on NXDN and I use my TRX-2 to monitor them, but they are eventually are going to the Dallas P25 trunking system, and even if the PD goes encryption, hopefully the FD stays in the clear. 73's KE5NPN.
belvdr
No longer interested in living
- Joined
- Aug 2, 2013
- Messages
- 2,567
Interested in how the Motorola antenna works compared to the stock. The stock antenna is very good already.
mitbr
Active Member
Ray is great!!! I used him to buy my G4 and G5. I would suggest NOT using the Motorola ant, some people have reported problems with that ant pulling the pin out on the Unication, use the ant that comes with it it will work just as well and has a small form factor.
Tim
ve52001
Member
Well my pager is due in today. I am stoked on getting it programmed to check it out. When playing around in PPS, I didn't realize how my zones you can use. For the initial first time flashing, I'm only using one to get use to everything. I am scared on trying the Motorola antenna, after everything I read about it. I will continue to use my TRX-2 to monitor my local PD & FD, which are for now on NXDN trunking, but will eventually transition to the local simulcast P25 system.
Welcome to the Gx club. I have several G4 and an SDS100. The more you monitor the more you miss so nothing wrong with starting out on a G4 then in the near future an SDS100.
Also you will want to program in the 3-1 layer which is what your agency will likely be using.
Also you will want to program in the 3-1 layer which is what your agency will likely be using.
blackbelter
Member
- Joined
- Feb 1, 2004
- Messages
- 890
Although I realize that every monitoring QTH is different, My G5's strong and compact supplied antenna has been more than sufficient to capture the monitoring systems. This also includes using the device inside my house and or cars. In event that I would need to capture a stronger key ups, I would use my amp charger with an old RS antenna to gain an additional bar or two on our 700/800 systems as well as a DMR station. I am aware that the primary function of the amp chargers antenna might be UHF/VHF.
- Status
