KV4PM
Member
Thanks for the info. I have been hoping for more discrete attenuation options (i.e. 5, 10, 15 dB vice just 0 and 20.)
What are the prospects of a new SDR type Uniden scanner?
- Thread starter BinaryMode
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Not everyone needs encryption - Encryption costs money, on top of the radios used. So there will always be someone to listen to.
The real kicker is when services and utilities go for cellular VoIP communications (such radios already exist), which is much harder to follow.
I have no idea if that'll ever be done, but who knows?
Looks like it's going to be soon, as to what will be in the new firmware for the x36HP and SDS units......
doctordialtone
Member
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True, but it seems enough departments are going encrypted to have an impact on the market for scanners. Listening to local public safety is the reason most consumers purchased scanners. With that market shrinking, Uniden and other mfgrs will have little incentive to invest in developing new models. Any "new" scanners will likely just be based on existing platforms, as others have stated.
My local and surrounding departments going digital is what prompted my last two scanner purchases. Now those departments have gone encrypted. I see no reason to purchase any new equipment going forward. I have enough radios to listen to air, marine, amateur radio, etc.
I take no pleasure in seeing a hobby that I have enjoyed for over 30 years decline, but it is what it is. IMHO
NOPE
You can program P25 Systems to do NAS (NON-Affiliated Scan) Receive Only. Short answer don't ask me for details either.True, that.... And with the growth of VoIP as the next direction, alot of the public safety scanning simply becomes a moot point.
But, at least there are other stuff going on.... But most just getting into scanners are going to be disappointed, for this reason.I bought my original HP-2 just months before both the local police and fire, and the Coast Guard, started using P25... I was lucky. They're still in the clear. (I could see why the police went to P25, actually.... They were frequently being jammed....)
I have a 996T, 536HP and 996P2. Great radios I purchased the "T" when my local dept went P25, adding the HP and P2 as more surrounding depts went digital. My local dept stayed in the clear for years - PD and FD are completely encrypted, but on the bright side, public works is in the clear.True, that.... And with the growth of VoIP as the next direction, alot of the public safety scanning simply becomes a moot point.
I bought my original HP-2 just months before both the local police and fire, and the Coast Guard, started using P25... I was lucky. They're still in the clear. (I could see why the police went to P25, actually.... They were frequently being jammed....)
First scanner was a 10 ch Uniden BC-140 that was a birthday gift in the late 80's when I was in HS. Forget VoIP - that is not radio!
Ubbe
Member
SDS scanners use a digital attenuator that has 1dB steps. Uniden have been experimenting with different attenuation levels to try and set a value that will work for most people, as their preamplifier needs to have its output attenuated. So Uniden can easily do a change to their user interface to allow 4 different settings instead of just one. I believe it's on the wishlist for enhancements that JoeBearcat have been compiling over the years.
/Ubbe
I don't see why Uniden needs to develop the new, next, best thing. Is there some development other than encryption that needs to be overcome? I'm not sure what it could be, but it may be out there. All we really need for the SDS scanners is some FW updates, a Baofeng emergency siren, and a waffle/panini maker.
It seems like Uniden is listening to (some of) their customers looking at the features of the 160 and 260 models. Not everyone needs all of the tools in the SDSs, but having the complete DB in the scanner while traveling is always good.
If we really want a brand new next best thing scanner, we probably need to build some new radios to scan. Who knows, maybe >1000 MHz and brute-force quantum decryption is the next big deal.
It seems like Uniden is listening to (some of) their customers looking at the features of the 160 and 260 models. Not everyone needs all of the tools in the SDSs, but having the complete DB in the scanner while traveling is always good.
If we really want a brand new next best thing scanner, we probably need to build some new radios to scan. Who knows, maybe >1000 MHz and brute-force quantum decryption is the next big deal.
Doubtful. Any new developments may be impossible (or illegal, as with encryption) to overcome and still meet a price point that most hobbyists would be willing to pay. Scanners have likely hit an evolutionary dead-end, like HF/SW radios. We still see new HF radios on the market, but they are fundamentally not much different than models available 20 years ago.
Just dreaming, but I'd think the only way a new model of scanner would be worth buying is it to be multi-functional. Something like an MP3 player, or internet surfing all rolled into one device.
I used to have one of those TV/VCR/DVD combos. It was awesome, until one of the pieces broke...
A laptop is not a radio, anymore than those C Crane internet "radios" are. A scanner that had the ability to stream Broadcastify as a feature would be nice. Of course, you can do that already with your phone or computer. Once you get into streaming, though, it's no longer radio. IMHO
So is the SDS100/200 a scanner or pc
As noted a cellphone is a mini pc.
As noted a cellphone is a mini pc.
A cellphone is a mini PC, but also a radio. The SDS series are clearly scanners (radios) IMHO. They are software defined, but not dependent on an internet connection to receive signals. SDS owners, please correct me if wrong.
