SDS100/SDS200: Uniden SDS 200 GPS Port Pin out.

[cshustak]

I'm trying to wire up a GPS module to my SDS200. My board has VCC, RX, TX, Grnd.
There are four pins in the RJ11 socket on the SDS.

Looking at the socket from outside the radio, how do those pins connect to those four pads on the board, left to right?

Left is toward the antenna jack, and right is toward the power socket.

https://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/scanners/6200rearLrg.jpg

The pictures on the internet are not clear.

Thanks

 

[hexagon_keyhole]

I'm trying to wire up a GPS module to my SDS200. My board has VCC, RX, TX, Grnd.
There are four pins in the RJ11 socket on the SDS.

Looking at the socket from outside the radio, how do those pins connect to those four pads on the board, left to right?

Left is toward the antenna jack, and right is toward the power socket.

https://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/scanners/6200rearLrg.jpg

The pictures on the internet are not clear.

Thanks

@hagensieker has a nice writeup on their blog about the SDS200 GPS setup and pin outs.

Uniden SDS200 GPS

Don't trust just anyone with your Uniden SDS200 GPS module. Learn about the fake and rebranded chips on Amazon, eBay, and Aliexpress before you buy.

hagensieker.com

 

[cshustak]

@hagensieker has a nice writeup on their blog about the SDS200 GPS setup and pin outs.

Uniden SDS200 GPS

Don't trust just anyone with your Uniden SDS200 GPS module. Learn about the fake and rebranded chips on Amazon, eBay, and Aliexpress before you buy.

hagensieker.com

Is that picture of the socket looking at it from outside in, or inside out? It doesn't seem to match the plug picture that is posted.
The plug picture seems to be looking down on the plug with the locking tab down. The socket doesn't seem to match that.

 

[hexagon_keyhole]

Is that picture of the socket looking at it from outside in, or inside out? It doesn't seem to match the plug picture that is posted.
The plug picture seems to be looking down on the plug with the locking tab down. The socket doesn't seem to match that.

I don’t want to hot link photos, but on the first picture “On SDS200,” the view is if you are staring at the exact back of the unit. The RJ12 “telephone cord” plug tab is up.

SDS Orientation:
You are facing the back of the unit. The Antenna plug is to the left, AC Power is on the right.

SDS200 GPS Port is technically a RJ12 jack, 6 position but only 4 contact pins are used and available (6P4C):

Tab Up
Left to Right
3.3v | RX | Ground | TX

On the second photo, Hagensieker is using a RJ11 cable, which is 4 position and 4 contact pins (4P4C) with the tab facing away from you. Since there are no additional pins/contacts available, you can use a RJ11 Cable in the SDS 200.

Tab Down
Left to Right
TX | Ground | RX | 3.3v

GPS Wiring with Tab Down
Left to Right
Out | Ground | In | 3.3v

 

[cshustak]

I got it. The socket needs the tab up on the plug, but the picture shows the tab down to show the wire color. I'll try it tomorrow.

 

[cshustak]

Additional questions.

Does the GPS module antenna have to have vision to the sky in order to work, or can it be under a metal car roof, or in a center console?

Is there a maximum cable length for the GPS dongle to radio?

Other than seeing your location set, is there any other indication that you wired it right, and it's communicating with the radio?

Thanks

 

[nessnet]

Does the GPS module antenna have to have vision to the sky in order to work, or can it be under a metal car roof, or in a center console?

GPS are radio signals.
Radio signals do not pass through metal.

However, if there is enough GPS signal coming through the windows, then it (may) work.
But, the more satellites it picks up, the more accurate your position will be.
Put it on the dash near the window.

 

[cshustak]

Mine is not working.

Is this the right one?

GY-NEO-6MV2 NEO-6M GPS Module with Flight Control EEPROM MWC APM2.5 Antenna | eBay

Destined module with ceramic antenna, signal super. Antenna size 25 x 25mm. Colour: blue. Note: Light shooting and different displays may cause the color of the item in the picture a little different from the real thing.

www.ebay.com

 

[buddrousa]

Have you tried different baud rates? 9600 is the normal for the uniden gps and the scanner is default 4800.

 

[nessnet]

Mine is not working.

Is this the right one?

GY-NEO-6MV2 NEO-6M GPS Module with Flight Control EEPROM MWC APM2.5 Antenna | eBay

Destined module with ceramic antenna, signal super. Antenna size 25 x 25mm. Colour: blue. Note: Light shooting and different displays may cause the color of the item in the picture a little different from the real thing.

www.ebay.com

Is is serial - or TTL?

 

[cshustak]

Checking to confirm TTL. It's not mentioned in the ad. I also tried 9600 and 4800. No difference.
Should I be seeing something on the 200 display that says it's seeing the GPS?

 

[cshustak]

It is wired right. The Radio +3 to +3 in. Radio TX to GPS RX. Radio RX to GPS Tx and ground.

 

[buddrousa]

Then it may be that the GPS unit is not compatible with the SDS Scanner.
It was posted by several here before that got units to work. Is that one of the units you bought?

 

[nessnet]

It is wired right. The Radio +3 to +3 in. Radio TX to GPS RX. Radio RX to GPS Tx and ground.

If your 200 is receiving GPS data, there is a little GPS icon.
Strongly suggest you edit your display to show lat/long somewhere.

Try switching the TX and RX.
Years ago, I was making GPS cords for a 436.
Must have been over an hour (and %$#!) trying to figure out why it didn't work.
Switched the TX and RX and it worked.
Turns out the cord I was using had them reversed....

Also double check your baud rate (9600 for a 200).

 

[kruser]

Also double check your baud rate (9600 for a 200).

The baud rate is determined by the GPS device being used. Some can be configured to different baud rates but most seem to be fixed at 4800 or 9600.
Once you know the GPS units baud rate, then the SDS200 or 100 must be set to the same baud rate as the GPS unit.
The SDS200 may use a default of 9600 but that won't play if you hookup a GPS unit that does not use or can't be set to 9600.

I've also used my RJ12 GPS port on my SDS200 as a control port set at 115600 baud in the SDS200 for ProScan control and logging. This was just a test which worked fine but I no longer use it and use IP over LAN instead.
The RJ12 jack on the SDS200 is TTL level I believe so one must be careful with what you plug in. Who knows if the data lines on that port are protected and can handle RS232 serial type voltage levels without damage. You also don't need the TX to GPS line connected for simple GPS location control. Only data from the GPS to the 200 is needed as the 200 does not need to send data to a GPS unit.