Uniden SDS or Software Defined Radio

[RadioGuy3007]

Hey All,

I am currently considering the SDS200 to monitor a new P25 PII system going live soon. I have a Unication G5 already but it doesn't do DMR (yet) and I can't listen to Air Band with it and it would be cool to be able to scan frequencies I can't really monitor with the G5 such as UHF.

I guess what I am wondering is if SDR is a cheaper alternative then a SDS200 I would have to get another used computer I already have a scanner with a discriminator tap. I haven't used it in such a long time I don't recall how to set it all up. I know times have changed with Rasberri PI and SDR dongles so I am just curious what would be the best option and I am looking for Pros/Cons of SDR.

 

[sonm10]

Hello from Minnesota,
I use both, especially when IDing systems. An SDR along with a scanner compliments each other very well. I use a scanner (SDS 200 or 996p2)
and scan through frequencies found through FCC. If I land on something digital, I will then enter into the SDR (Airspy R2 running DSD+, usually) to figure out the details of the system.

 

[RadioGuy3007]

Hello from Minnesota,
I use both, especially when IDing systems. An SDR along with a scanner compliments each other very well. I use a scanner (SDS 200 or 996p2)
and scan through frequencies found through FCC. If I land on something digital, I will then enter into the SDR (Airspy R2 running DSD+, usually) to figure out the details of the system.

Thanks for the quick response. With Airspy or DSD can you only monitor one channel?

 

[sonm10]

Thanks for the quick response. With Airspy or DSD can you only monitor one channel?

If it is just a control channel, you can enter it, and it will start logging right away. The groups and site files will need to be edited as needed.
Conventional objects, you can create a scan list for those also. However, you cannot do trunking or conventional scanning at the same time - the benefits of a real scanner.

 

[RadioGuy3007]

Gotchya. I am debating on the SDS200. The g5 is great but you can't really do a free scan like you can on a scanner. How easy is the program to work with? What dongle would you recommend? I may setup several but only have 1 scanner with a tap so I am thinking maybe another dongle would be a good idea.

 

[sonm10]

Depends upon how computer proficient you may be - It does require editing of .bat files. There are examples to follow to help with the setup, but once you program everything, set it and forget it!

 

[RadioGuy3007]

Depends upon how computer proficient you may be - It does require editing of .bat files. There are examples to follow to help with the setup, but once you program everything, set it and forget it!

Do you use a dongle or just a scanner with a tap?

 

[sonm10]

Do you use a dongle or just a scanner with a tap?

Dongle - Airspy R2
Also have a couple noolec haven't tried yet

 

[KA1RBI]

Tapping the discriminator is fine for regular (non simulcast modulated) P25.

However P25 Phase 2 uses the wrong modulation type (i.e., PSK), not compatible with the disc-tap method...

Max

 

[sonm10]

Tapping the discriminator is fine for regular (non simulcast modulated) P25.

However P25 Phase 2 uses the wrong modulation type (i.e., PSK), not compatible with the disc-tap method...

Max

An SDR would be far, far simpler

 

[jason_58201]

Just curious as to why you're going with the SDS? Unless you are dealing with simulcast issues, an x36hp will do everything the SDS does at half the cost.