SDS100/SDS200: Uniden Sentinel with BCD436HP and SDS100

[nlenna]

I am an absolute novice and own a BCD436HP. I have been using Sentinel via VirtualBox on my MacBook to program it. That is a technical issue on it's own that is driving me crazy. Anyway, I have somewhat gotten the hang of programming the BCD436HP through Sentinel. So, I have just recently bought a SDS100 and am looking forward to receiving it for its simulcasting capabilites over the 436 as I live in a large metropolitan area. My question is when I plug the SDS into my computer and target the SDS through Sentinel can I use the programming I made for the 436, i.e. Favorites, and just write that to the SDS? Or, do I need to program the SDS as an absolute separate entity from the 436? Also, if I am able to use the programming for the favorites from the 436 to copy to the SDS will I be able to capture simulcasts? I am not sure how simulcasting works. Is it separate programming? Thanks, and remember I am an amateur.

 

[Ubbe]

Simulcast are automatic and are built into the receiver design.

There are additional settings for SDS100 to handle filters and display so I would install a second Sentinel and choose another install folder inside the Uniden folder and name the install SDS100. What otherwise happens are that at some point, if you use a singe install for both scanners, you will forget to change the target type and mess up the startup display text and the unique settings for the SDS100.

You can export and import favorite lists between the two Sentinel installs. I believe that Sentinel keeps the SDS100 settings in the 436 files but not if you program a 436 and then reads it, the scanner will strip all SDS100 settings.

/Ubbe

 

[weyforthr]

I have a similar set up, 536 and 200. Whether you use a single installation of Sentinel or a second installation, be aware of the "Target Model" setting within the "Tools" menu, and then make sure to open the correct profile within the "File" menu. I am using one instance of Sentinel, but if two separate installs work for you, go for it.

 

[tvengr]

You can use the same profile and favorites lists to program both scanners. When you select the target model, you have access to the options available for that particular scanner. For example: Site NAC and filters are available only for the SDS scanners. There are battery charge settings for the SDS scanners only. The SDS scanners do not have AGC settings. The Edit Display option is not available if the target model is BCDx36HP. There are no separate settings for simulcast. The ability to properly decode simulcast sites is purely a function of the scanner. You can setup different profiles for each model scanner. Each profile has its own opening screen message as well as many other settings. The favorites lists are shared by all profiles. IF YOU DELETE A FAVORITES LIST IN ONE PROFILE, IT IS DELETED FROM EVERY PROFILE AND IS GONE FOREVER. Many new users have been trapped by that. You have separate settings in each profile for which favorites lists will be used. Here is an explanation of what causes simulcast distortion: A simulcast site actually consists of several subsites all transmitting on the same frequency at the same time. The signals arrive at your scanner at slightly different times which degrades the scanner's ability to properly decode the control channel. That results in missed transmissions, dropouts, and garbled audio. The SDS scanners are the only ones specifically designed to receive simulcast sites.

 

[baker50021]

I'm a keep it simple kind of guy, yes you can create a new profile and under tools select the target model...