SDS100/SDS200: Uniden SDS100

[TCcomm3240]

Hey guys, im needing some help or advice.

Recently got a SDS100 a few days ago and tried out the ZIP Code scanning features then made my own favorites list in the Sentinel Software after downloading it. Since then, I've noticed audio cuts, distribution and distortion on top of a few other issues. My filters are set on AUTO but tried turning them OFF and tried the NORMAL setting. My ATT is off and stays off unless I go into Clinton (Vermillion County IN) where the site tower is. Any ideas on what my issue could be? Ive looked at just about everything settings wise but so far im looking "good" on that part. Antenna connector issue maybe??

 

[TCcomm3240]

To add:

I currently have Newport, Clinton, Vigo County Courthouse site and southern end of Vigo County site (terre haute). All are showing i have signal and data coming in but the audio is almost horrible and very bad distorted. I'm almost shocked that people are interested in these things lol. This i can say will be my last time owning one of these scanners. Still looking for some help as I might turn around and sell this to someone who knows more about it.

 

[J-Wrock]

When I first saw you mentioned audio cuts, my thought was either Weather or Close Call Priority being turned on by mistake. However, that wouldn't cause distortion issues. Do these issues occur when you are scanning both by Zip Code and your favorites or just on your favorites? Could be an antenna connector issue. It doesn't sound like a settings issue and it sounds like you already double checked all of the settings. That leaves hardware issues. If the radio is new and still under warranty, I would suggest sending it to Uniden; if it isn't under warranty than it would be a flat-rate fee of $99 which would be a tough decision on the heals of whatever you spent buying the scanner in the first place.

Bottom line: I don't think it is the SDS 100 model itself but the specific radio you got that has issues. My guess is an antenna connector issue (if you lose signal strength at the same time it cuts out) or speaker connection issue (if you are showing it is getting data and signal strength). I am sorry that you are having so much trouble with it and can understand why you would shy away from future SDS radios.

 

[TCcomm3240]

When I first saw you mentioned audio cuts, my thought was either Weather or Close Call Priority being turned on by mistake. However, that wouldn't cause distortion issues. Do these issues occur when you are scanning both by Zip Code and your favorites or just on your favorites? Could be an antenna connector issue. It doesn't sound like a settings issue and it sounds like you already double checked all of the settings. That leaves hardware issues. If the radio is new and still under warranty, I would suggest sending it to Uniden; if it isn't under warranty than it would be a flat-rate fee of $99 which would be a tough decision on the heals of whatever you spent buying the scanner in the first place.

Bottom line: I don't think it is the SDS 100 model itself but the specific radio you got that has issues. My guess is an antenna connector issue. I am sorry that you are having so much trouble with it and can understand why you would shy away from future SDS radios.

I have all my close call and stuff turned completely off and also unwanted sites programmed in. Yes I have noticed this over ZIP scanning and making my own list to scan. Crazy enoug, I just tested the adapter and hooked it up to the house antenna on the 30 foot pole i jave up and no one site shows theres a signal lol. Im approximately 5 ish miles away from the Clinton Site and about 10-15 miles away from the STARCOM21 Paris site. None of them show any data or signal strength then on the outside antenna but just barely cutting it on the remtronix antenna.

 

[J-Wrock]

I have all my close call and stuff turned completely off and also unwanted sites programmed in. Yes I have noticed this over ZIP scanning and making my own list to scan. Crazy enoug, I just tested the adapter and hooked it up to the house antenna on the 30 foot pole i jave up and no one site shows theres a signal lol. Im approximately 5 ish miles away from the Clinton Site and about 10-15 miles away from the STARCOM21 Paris site. None of them show any data or signal strength then on the outside antenna but just barely cutting it on the remtronix antenna.

Sounds like hardware issue then. My guess, from what you posted above about your house antenna, would be the antenna connector on the radio is loose or damaged.

 

[TCcomm3240]

Sounds like hardware issue then. My guess, from what you posted above about your house antenna, would be the antenna connector on the radio is loose or damaged.

I took the pole down yesterday because of that issue that came to my mind and noticed my antenna was loose quite a bit. Screwing it back where it should be seems like it made it worse lol. Im so confused on this thing

 

[TCcomm3240]

Sounds like hardware issue then. My guess, from what you posted above about your house antenna, would be the antenna connector on the radio is loose or damaged.

I also didnt notice any wear or tear or damage to the radio to antenna connection either. It could be though as Im not able to fully inspect or get to detailed on it. Worries me I’ll break it even more or something lol. Money unfortunately is tight so the $99 option to Uniden is my final yet long wait for that. Im hoping it’s not that and maybe just a crappy signal out here. i just do not have a single clue on what the issue could be.

 

[J-Wrock]

Im hoping it’s not that and maybe just a crappy signal out here. i just do not have a single clue on what the issue could be.

One thing you could try, is try tuning in your National Weather Service. If it comes in without issue, then that suggests it would be an issue with the signal of the systems you're trying to listen to; if it has issues, then that would point to hardware issues. If it is hardware, it is probably a connection between the antenna and motherboard coming loose. I'm guessing returning the radio is not an option?

 

[TCcomm3240]

One thing you could try, is try tuning in your National Weather Service. If it comes in without issue, then that suggests it would be an issue with the signal of the systems you're trying to listen to; if it has issues, then that would point to hardware issues. If it is hardware, it is probably a connection between the antenna and motherboard coming loose. I'm guessing returning the radio is not an option?

Will definitely try that now.

 

[TCcomm3240]

One thing you could try, is try tuning in your National Weather Service. If it comes in without issue, then that suggests it would be an issue with the signal of the systems you're trying to listen to; if it has issues, then that would point to hardware issues. If it is hardware, it is probably a connection between the antenna and motherboard coming loose. I'm guessing returning the radio is not an option?

WX sounds like it’s coming in fine. First analog, let alone first signal I’ve ever heard come in actually clear and understandable

 

[J-Wrock]

Just had another thought. If conventional is coming in but the trunked systems are not, have you double checked on the Radio Reference Database to ensure that what you're trying to listen to isn't encrypted? It doesn't sound like that's the issue from your original post, but I wanted to toss the idea out anyways, just to cover all bases. If the "Mode" column on the database has an "E" or "e" (DE / De for example) then that talk group is at least partially encrypted and no amount of troubleshooting, or any scanner for that matter, will do any good.

 

[TCcomm3240]

Just had another thought. If conventional is coming in but the trunked systems are not, have you double checked on the Radio Reference Database to ensure that what you're trying to listen to isn't encrypted? It doesn't sound like that's the issue from your original post, but I wanted to toss the idea out anyways, just to cover all bases. If the "Mode" column on the database has an "E" or "e" (DE / De for example) then that talk group is at least partially encrypted and no amount of troubleshooting, or any scanner for that matter, will do any good.

No departments Im currently monitoring are encrypted.