What can I expect out of a SDS200 in Columbus Ohio?

[mparker]

I am getting back into scanning after a long time, pretty much since the rebanding. Seems like the Uniden SDS is the only game in town. There is Unication but they don't seem as user friendly or as versatile, but arguably just as good.

I am leaning toward a SDS200 but before I plop down the money, what can I expect?

The last scanner I used was a BCT15, I had quick keys for Police and Sheriff then I had them broken down into Zones. So I could listen to All PD(1), or Only the Zone I live in(2). Same for Sheriff Dept, All (3) only my area(4). I think I had other quick keys for conventional stuff, PD Helicopter, mostly.

I would also be interested in streaming and controlling my scanner remotely via my phone, if that is possible.

What are your thoughts? Thanks gang.

 

[belvdr]

Check the database for encryption (De or DE in the Mode column) to ensure you can listen to what you like. I keep my SDS200 on all the time and it works as it should, but I'm mainly P25 only with only one or two DMR channels. I also have a G4 for portable use, and it works great too. However, it's not a scanner, and has its limitations. Like anything, get to know the limitations before you buy.

For listening and controlling remotely, ProScan is what you want ($50, fully functional free trial). It can utilize the SDS200's Ethernet port for both control and audio.

 

[mparker]

Looks like mostly everything is Mode D. It is very overwhelming... seems very different that my old BCT15! Dec/Hex, System ID, Sites... eek. Like drinking from a fire hose.. lol.

 

[phask]

Read up and get really good on quick keys. You have 2 separate MARCS sites. Columbus PD uses one and everything else is on another (don't ask me which as I don't live there and just run both when there.
You will never get it all with one scanner, but SDS is the only thing that will handle simulcast.

 

[engine183]

If your interest is at a fixed location (home), have you considered using your computer and a few SDR's? With a little more upfront work, but works just as good for Ohio MARCS. It is less money than a SDS.

 

[wa8pyr]

Read up and get really good on quick keys. You have 2 separate MARCS sites. Columbus PD uses one and everything else is on another (don't ask me which as I don't live there and just run both when there.

Close but not quite.

All City of Columbus agencies as well as the City of Westerville and MEC Center use the Columbus City site. THE Ohio State University, some suburb police departments and many county agencies use Columbus MARCS. Nearly everybody else has access to both Columbus City and Columbus MARCS. On home football Saturdays, both sites go nuts (along with about 75% of the population).

The talkgroup listings for Franklin County include notes as to which tower sites everybody uses. What you want to listen to will determine which tower site you monitor.

That being said, @phask is correct; if you want to hear it all there's just too much going on for a single scanner, but the SDS is the only one which will get the job done.

@belvdr is also correct; ProScan is the way to go if you want to control and listen remotely with your phone.

If your interest is at a fixed location (home), have you considered using your computer and a few SDR's? With a little more upfront work, but works just as good for Ohio MARCS. It is less money than a SDS.

I know some folks are pretty happy with SDR dongles and software, but that's very challenging even for someone who's into computers and such; if you've been away from the hobby for awhile, stick with the SDS.

 

[W8WCA]

I live in Columbus: CPD - CFD Come in Fine on my SDS200 it is the way to go as others have said. (I usually do not listen to CFD)
Civil Air comes in depending on where you live.

You really do have to limit how much you try to catch!

I find I even get selective on CPD; like I often temp Lock Out Records.
And I 2nd the ProScan - it is great and I can listen while at work to my home SDS (Or from anywhere I have internet access)

 

[Jphila20]

I've been using SDR's with Unitrunker for the Cleveland City System and the MARCS systems in Cuyahoga, Lorain, Medina and Summit areas. It works GREAT. You will feel a little overwhelmed with anything new today, but its much better than the stuff years before. If interested DM me and I'll shoot you some links.

John

 

[mparker]

Thanks guys. Ive considered SDRs. One thing that I want is a stand alone unit. Surprisingly my wife likes listing too, so something easy to operate is a must.

 

[kc8rak]

I've been using SDR's with Unitrunker for the Cleveland City System and the MARCS systems in Cuyahoga, Lorain, Medina and Summit areas. It works GREAT. You will feel a little overwhelmed with anything new today, but its much better than the stuff years before. If interested DM me and I'll shoot you some links.

John

What SDR are you using? Is it easy to use? Thanks.

 

[engine183]

Hello,



There are many good SDR’s to pick from. I have put two links below that are kits that include antennas. You may or may not need the kits. Depends on what you have in your radio shack. I'm using both of the SDRs noted below.

Also, there are many YouTube videos on programming and using SDR. If you have the time, I suggest watching Scanner School’s “The Ultimate Beginner's Guide to Software Defined Radios”. It is free. It will show you some of the things you might want to do, and it will show you the level of understanding needed.

Welcome to this module


SDRs:

Amazon.com


https://www.amazon.com/NooElec-NESD...=nesdr+smart+v4+rtl-sdr,electronics,66&sr=1-4

 

[Jphila20]

What SDR are you using? Is it easy to use? Thanks.

I got them from Amazon - Nooelec RTL-SDR v5 SDR - NESDR Smart HF/VHF/UHF (100kHz-1.75GHz) Software Defined Radio. Premium RTLSDR w/ 0.5PPM TCXO, SMA Input & Aluminum Enclosure. RTL2832U & R820T2 (R860)-Based Radio. Brand: NooElec. Some come with small antennas and some just the SDR. Depending how close you are to a site, one antenna with a splitter works for me. I use regular RG-6 cable and splitters with no issues. I also have a Yagi because I'm listening to a site 40+ miles away.

I have more than my wife knows about and they work great.

 

[WX4JCW]

Columbus is one of my favoirite places to listen, and probably one of the busiest systems in the country as far as number of talkgroups so it can be daunting.

here is a good example of what the SDS200 can do on the Columbus system

 

[W8WCA]

Columbus is one of my favoirite places to listen, and probably one of the busiest systems in the country as far as number of talkgroups so it can be daunting.

here is a good example of what the SDS200 can do on the Columbus system

Nice color selections on your SDS200