SDS150: Uniden's Official SDS150 Tech Discussion

[jasonhouk]

I'm assuming they are as I only have an engineering sample and beta unit to compare. There is no texture on either of those.

However, Beta Testers were advised we should be getting our SDS150 Production Units in the near future and I'll compare then.

Just received my letter back from Santa!

Dear Naughty-but-Nice Beta Tester,Ho ho ho!
I've been checking my list twice, and it looks like you've been a very good boy this year, tinkering away as a Uniden beta tester. I peeked down the chimney and saw that your shiny production unit is already zooming your way via FedEx, packed with some extra jolly goodies to make your Christmas even brighter—if you keep up the good behavior, that is!

But listen here, my elf spies tell me you're super excited about it all, and that warms my rosy cheeks. In return for all that cheer, how about slipping an SDS150 under the tree for old Saint Nick? I've got my eye on one to help track those reindeer routes more efficiently—Rudolph's nose isn't the only tech I need upgraded!

Keep being good, and Merry Christmas!
Yours in holiday spirit,
Santa Claus
P.S. Cookies and milk wouldn't hurt either! Ho ho ho!

 

[Tank67]

Concur. Audio sounds better on the SDS150, clearer and a bit louder.

Also have to concur. Analog sounds way better imo as well.

On another note, is it just me or does the screen have a yellow (warmer) tint when compared to the SDS100?

 

[maus92]

Can anyone advise on the physical battery dimensions with this radio? Is it similar to the super-sized battery that Uniden distributed after the initial SDS100 release, or is it more contained in the radio's form factor? And on a related matter, is anyone making 3D printed cup holder inserts for the SDS150 yet - I will require one. I purchased one from some eBay vendor for the SDS100 (and another for the G5) and it has served me well for the past few years.

 

[buddrousa]

@jasonhouk
Glad your production unit is on its way.

 

[kyledooley]

Deleting the existing Uniden serial drivers did the trick. My SDS150 now connects like it should.

Please explain, because I'm about to curb stomp this f-ing thing.

 

[RMason]

Can anyone advise on the physical battery dimensions with this radio? Is it similar to the super-sized battery that Uniden distributed after the initial SDS100 release, or is it more contained in the radio's form factor?

From: SDS150 - The RadioReference Wiki

• Physical Dimensions. The height of the SDS150 (6.1") is nearly 1/2" greater than the SDS100 (5.7"). The width of the SDS150 (2.25" at base; 2.5" at top) is also slightly greater than the SDS100 (2.1" at base; 2.5" at top). The depth of the SDS150 (approximately 2.0" at base battery area; 1.55" at narrowest screen area) and SDS100 (2.1" at base with newer high capacity battery; 1.5" at top) are virtually identical. The screen sizes are identical at 2.02" x 1.54".

 

[maus92]

Can we characterize that the battery compartment is more elegant (contained) than the high capacity battery bump on the SDS100? Can anyone post pictures?

 

[Trucker700]

SDS100 on left SDS150 on right.

 

[RMason]

Can we characterize that the battery compartment is more elegant (contained) than the high capacity battery bump on the SDS100? Can anyone post pictures?

see here for sds150 battery profile pictures:
New Uniden Scanner announcement at SEMA 2025: #548

 

[KK4JUG]

For what it's worth, they maintained their serial number system. The first number after the alpha character (Z) indicates the year of manufacture.

It looks like they anticipate battery latch failure, too. The latch is held down with a small metal strap attached to the radio with a pair of screws. It appears that a small phillips head screwdriver is all that's necessary, if (or when) the latch breaks.

 

[One13Truck]

Nice to see it still has some chonky beef to it in it’s 150 form. I liked how the larger battery in the 100 kept it bottom heavy. I can see how it may be a pita for an every day carrier. But for it’s everyday stationary scanning it’s nice to have the wider base.

 

[Nasby]

So it seems reception on both analog and digital is about the same as the SDS100 based on a the reports?

 

[maus92]

Nice to see it still has some chonky beef to it in it’s 150 form. I liked how the larger battery in the 100 kept it bottom heavy. I can see how it may be a pita for an every day carrier. But for it’s everyday stationary scanning it’s nice to have the wider base.

Yes, I remember the original SDS100 with the skinny / standard battery was top-heavy, and tended to flop over - especially when connected to a USB cable. My SDS100 lives in my vehicle cupholder and is plugged into the GPS / power source at all times except when being updated, so the instability wasn't really an issue for me.

 

[Trucker700]

So it seems reception on both analog and digital is about the same as the SDS100 based on a the reports?

That hasn't been my experience. There is a noticeable improvement in analog and digital reception with the SDS150 compared to my SDS100. It's really noticeable on VHF Airband. Even with the factory antenna I can receive quite a bit on AM Airband. With a better antenna it is even better.
James

 

[maus92]

So it seems reception on both analog and digital is about the same as the SDS100 based on a the reports?

I believe the consensus is reception has been improved in general.

 

[DanRollman]

Can we characterize that the battery compartment is more elegant (contained) than the high capacity battery bump on the SDS100? Can anyone post pictures?

Think of it as still a bump, but the bump is taller, which means (to me) it doesn't feel quite as much like an odd bump. But it is still a bump, that dips back in, so that the "swivel button" doesn't have to protrude so far. Does that make sense? Point is, with this swivel button design, if the batttery didn't bump out, and the entire radio was that thick, then the swivel button would stick out even further than it does.

The only real alternative to this "battery bump" design, as I see it, is a traditional commercial radio design where the entire radio is as thick as the radio+battery, and the battery occupies the entire back side of the device, and a belt clip is attached to the battery rather than the radio. It is just a really different physical design. Pros and cons.

 

[DanRollman]

For what it's worth, they maintained their serial number system. The first number after the alpha character (Z) indicates the year of manufacture.

It looks like they anticipate battery latch failure, too. The latch is held down with a small metal strap attached to the radio with a pair of screws. It appears that a small phillips head screwdriver is all that's necessary, if (or when) the latch breaks.

That's an interesting observation about the design change. I'm not sure I'd go so far as to say it means Uniden anticipates battery latch failure, because the latch itself feels stronger to me than the factory SDS100 latch (I later replaced mine with the aftermarket carbon fiber latch), but I do agree that this design change will make it easier to swap out the latch if that's needed down the road.

 

[DanRollman]

So it seems reception on both analog and digital is about the same as the SDS100 based on a the reports?

Not sure what reports you are referring to. Every report I've read, including in this forum, and my own experience, is that reception, digital decode, and speaker audio quality of the SDS150 all seem at least one notch above the SDS100. But still not quite on par with a public safety grade radio.

 

[DanRollman]

Yes, I remember the original SDS100 with the skinny / standard battery was top-heavy, and tended to flop over - especially when connected to a USB cable. My SDS100 lives in my vehicle cupholder and is plugged into the GPS / power source at all times except when being updated, so the instability wasn't really an issue for me.

That said, I do still have a "slim" battery for one of my SDS100 radios, for which I have removed the "button clip" and like the "slim form factor" for use in my elastic chest harness while skiing (listening to DMR ski patrol) and other functions.

For that reason I kind of do wish the design involved a thinner, taller battery all the way to the top, since the button hook or belt clip could be removed if not needed and the overall device could be thinner than it is.

 

[policefreak]

Not sure what reports you are referring to. Every report I've read, including in this forum, and my own experience, is that reception, digital decode, and speaker audio quality of the SDS150 all seem at least one notch above the SDS100. But still not quite on par with a public safety grade radio.

Has anyone compared 700/800mhz P25 reception with a Unication? Where does the SDS150 performance stand in comparison?