Was it worth it to buy the unlock codes for the SDS 200 scanner?

[Invisibleflash]

I don't even know what they are for or how many Uniden sells. I'm not that far yet. I just understand you have to pay extra to unlock the scanner for certain things. Was it worth it to you spending the extra money to unlock the scanner?

 

[jtwalker]

If you don't know what they do, then they are not worth it ... yet.

 

[EAFrizzle]

Check through the RR database for your area to see if there's any DMR or NXDN systems that you're interested in hearing. I just moved to Dallas where one of the medevac helos is on a DMR system. It was well worth it for me, and I don't need to bother with NXDN or ProVoice unless something changes in the future.

 

[K9KLC]

Check through the RR database for your area to see if there's any DMR or NXDN systems that you're interested in hearing. I just moved to Dallas where one of the medevac helos is on a DMR system. It was well worth it for me, and I don't need to bother with NXDN or ProVoice unless something changes in the future.

You and only you will know what you want to need to get for what you want to monitor.

 

[dmfalk]

Short answer: Yes.

 

[gary123]

The waterfall is good for advanced users but for those not familiar with a spectrum display its a feature you can wait to get. The NXDN and especially the DMR are ones you should get. There is a lot of DMR in the 450-470 band.

 

[dmfalk]

The waterfall is good for advanced users but for those not familiar with a spectrum display its a feature you can wait to get. The NXDN and especially the DMR are ones you should get. There is a lot of DMR in the 450-470 band.

The waterfall option has its uses, and is useful, so I'd say it's worth having, but certainly not a necessity or priority! Actually, it even works great in tandem with the other upgrades!

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

Eh, another one of these "are they worth it" threads....

SDS100/SDS200: - SDS200 DMR, NXDN, ProVoice upgrades?

looking at several scanner websites, they offer the following upgrades. Whats your guys opinion on them? I’m in Petersburg Virginia and have the surrounding counties/cities where I’d program the radio to listen in on all available police, fire, ems, etc…. Colonial Heights, Chesterfield...

forums.radioreference.com

DMR/NXDN worth it?

Ladies and Gents, do any of you have the NXDN or DMR upgrades and do they seem worth it to you? Thanks.

forums.radioreference.com

Is there any value in upgrading to DMR, NXDN, and ProVoice in Calgary?

Newbie here.... sort off... had scanners all my life and enjoyed the hobby of listening in since I purchased my first Pro-34 back in the good old days...but times have changed.... Here is my question.... Is there any value in upgrading to DMR, NXDN, and ProVoice in Calgary? I purchased a...

forums.radioreference.com

OK I'll partake: Definitely worth it for me. Law enforcement is fully encrypted in my & most counties around me so I find myself listening to mostly businesses, hospitals, EDU, and other non-public safety related stuff, a lot of it being DMR & NXDN. My best advice to you @Invisibleflash is to consult the database for your area to make your own judgment if any of the paid upgrades would be worth it for you

 

[marcotor]

Worth it? This isn't reddit

The only way to know if it is "worth it" is to know if you will use the features unlocked with the upgrade for DMR or NXDN. If one has no desire or need to listen to either of those modes, then one shouldn't buy them.

 

[EAFrizzle]

The better question is, "Do I need one of these upgrades to hear an important system in my area?" Your state forum is a good place to ask that. Back in Houston, none of them were needed for any PS systems. I'm glad I asked in the Texas forum about DFW. The main medevac helos are on a DMR system, so that upgrade was worth it for me.

Don't worry about them right now. Ask in your state/province forum about what's in your area. You might even get some info about some good frequencies even though it might not be a service of your primary interest. If you decide you need one, buy it direct from Uniden.

 

[BinaryMode]

If you're a REAL scanner nut, then DMR and NXDN will be modulation schemes you'll want. Especially knowing that some idiots will transmit DMR on the FRS (Family Radio Service) band. I've heard it around here a few times.

I have yet a need for Provoice, but they're out there.

DMR - The RadioReference Wiki

wiki.radioreference.com

NXDN - The RadioReference Wiki

wiki.radioreference.com

EDACS Provoice - The RadioReference Wiki

wiki.radioreference.com

EDACS Provoice Digital Systems (Police/Fire) - The RadioReference Wiki

wiki.radioreference.com

If you do want the upgrades, it's probably cheaper from Uniden's website. That's where I went.

Also note a lot of railroads are using or will upgrade to NXDN.

 

[Invisibleflash]

I get emergency squad, cops, fire dept, sheriff and some other city / county stuff.

I don't seem to get the TAC lines.

Are any of the codes needed to get the scanner to listen in on HAM radio?

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

I have yet a need for Provoice, but they're out there.

Only about 20 documented PV systems still online. I know of at least one on that list that's slated for future replacement...

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

I get emergency squad, cops, fire dept, sheriff and some other city / county stuff.

I don't seem to get the TAC lines.

Where are you located? Are the applicable service types turned on for said tac channels ("Tag" column in the database)? Encryption not a factor? Ops could be simplex. Can't know for sure without getting eyes on the RRDB...

Are any of the codes needed to get the scanner to listen in on HAM radio?

Have you consulted the database to see what's documented as I suggested you do here? Repeaterbook is also a good resource for amateur repeaters. Regarding digital, hams mostly operate on DMR, seldom ever on NXDN (at least in my region)

 

[Ensnared]

I've used all three near Wacko, Texas.

 

[tzukows]

Most of my locations are on the systems baked into the SDS. I do have a few DMR systems, so I bought that key as soon as my unit arrived.

There are also a few NXDN. Not many, but a few.
So not rushing into things, I waited until I had another $50 burning a hole in the wallet. I bought NXDN a few weeks later.

I have not loaded NXDN yet.

I did find some of my PDs have DMR and in Western MA, there are a handful of DPWs, and other institutions that are DMR. Supposedly, DMR will expand in time as more non-public safety municipal communications go to DMR.

So I would say at this point, DMR would be one to look at. Check RR listings for your area.

I let you know if anything good is found in my area on NXDN. Then, I'll be able to tell you if it was worth it for me. (Again, depends on what is in your listening area...)

 

[donc13]

I get emergency squad, cops, fire dept, sheriff and some other city / county stuff.

I don't seem to get the TAC lines.

Are any of the codes needed to get the scanner to listen in on HAM radio?

Many departments are encrypted on Tac channels so can not be received with any scanner.

For HAM stuff, you will probably need DMR update for worldwide VHF/UHF networked repeaters.

 

[tzukows]

I am lucky... So far, not too many on encryption just yet.