What did you do before your SDS100 arrived / you picked it up.

[Omega-TI]

I've settled on the SDS100, thanks to everyone's input here. Unfortunately I'm kinda snowed in, so driving to HRO is not in the cards for a week or two, so... what to do until then? I downloaded Sentinel, and updated the database, so what should I do next? Any suggestions?

 

[GlobalNorth]

Pick your state and start compiling your interest lists: FD, PD, Federal, aviation, etc. and download them in. You can also play with the display and set up a multiple color display for fun.

 

[Omega-TI]

Pick your state and start compiling your interest lists: FD, PD, Federal, aviation, etc. and download them in. You can also play with the display and set up a multiple color display for fun.

Wow, there is a lot of stuff, all the DMR stuff listed is all HAM though, so I'll not have to pay to open that up.

 

[GregOH]

Once you've appended what you'll want to scan to your favorites list, go into the editor and apply avoids to Tg's and sites, remove unwanted Tg's, and apply alert lights if you're interested in doing any of that.

 

[mr10pt]

And then there's quick keys and number tags. When I got mine I thought I'll never use that stuff. Wrong! All comes together in time. There is a learning curve, larger for some than others (myself in the first statement). However, off topic as a joke, as a resident of a suburb of Chicago, I thought it was funny to see Seattle with snow yesterday! To date, we've only had a trace this year!

 

[KN4EHX]

If being snowed in for a week or two is in the cards you might be better off to pay for shipping or get some snow shoes and start walking (please don’t). I’d think the highways are probably clear enough for you to get a shipment to your house considering your proximity to HRO and Amazon you should be good to go. Sit back, stay warm, and wait for the delivery person to show up.

Best of luck to you and good listening!

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

Read up on the easier to read manual, if you own or have owner a 436HP you should already have a basic familiarity with the SDS100's basic operations.

 

[peteymcsweety]

Make a couple favorite lists

 

[sportsshooter32]

I too just ordered an SDS 100! I’m so excited and also hopeful. I’ve been listening to scanners for 18 years now. But in some ways I feel like a beginner, although, deep down I know I’m not. But anyways long story short, had the 436HP and have the SR30. Also had the TRX-1 and didn’t like it. Didn’t like the 436HP either. So I’m sort of hoping this is the last stop for me on the new scanner bus trip, lol! I’m really hoping the 100 is the best money can buy. Unfortunately I live in Encrypted world, of Orange County, California! Everything is encrypted from fire to the local Walmart! Well actually probably not Walmart, but you get my point. It’s been that way for years though and I work around it. I’m not hear to discuss that. I’m here to say, please welcome me to the community. This is my very first post. I’m sure many of you can teach me a thing or two, and hopefully I’ll also be able to help others. I was an Assistant Communications SGT., (18E) US Army, for a few, and a (35M) before that. So I’m probably more knowledgeable than some when it comes to the technical side of radio and how it works. But honestly you’d be surprised how much I don’t know, about scanning. That probably sounds crazy, but I’m just being honest! I have read posts on here from time to time and I often think… man some of these people really know their stuff! So anyways I bought an SDS 100 with two batteries, all of the upgrades and a new Remtronix 820-S antenna! It should all arrive in a couple days! My only question is does anyone have a good recommendation for a vehicle antenna that’s not too expensive but works well. I have a truck, if that helps! I’ve never had a vehicle mounted antenna that I loved. So I’m thinking bad luck, or I did not spend enough? Any help with that and any tips for an advanced amateur, when it comes to the SDS 100, I am all ears! Thanks!

 

[Omega-TI]

Read up on the easier to read manual, if you own or have owner a 436HP you should already have a basic familiarity with the SDS100's basic operations.

I'll keep the link to that manual (in case I need it), thanks. In the meantime I've already downloaded and printed up the manual in book form.

 

[KN4EHX]

I'll keep the link to that manual (in case I need it), thanks. In the meantime I've already downloaded and printed up the manual in book form.

View attachment 114192

The anticipation must be killing you by now. Sitting by the fireplace, wondering what excitement must be happening on the airwaves, as you take a long draw from the Christmas edition seasonal Peterson pipe and thumb through the SDS100 owner’s manual. The snow continues to pile higher and higher while I-5 is a solid sheet of ice. Ah yes, warmer days are coming my friends.

Most impressive is you went all the way to Vietnam to print that owner’s manual.

Now I’m gonna have to buy a SDS100 because we’ve talked about it so much. Luckily shipping from Atlanta is more economical than the 8 hours round trip home. Best of all I won’t have the jitters from A-town traffic.

Hopefully you’re staying warm and not getting cabin fever too bad.

 

[Omega-TI]

The anticipation must be killing you by now. Sitting by the fireplace, wondering what excitement must be happening on the airwaves, as you take a long draw from the Christmas edition seasonal Peterson pipe and thumb through the SDS100 owner’s manual. The snow continues to pile higher and higher while I-5 is a solid sheet of ice. Ah yes, warmer days are coming my friends.

Now I’m gonna have to buy a SDS100 because we’ve talked about it so much. Luckily shipping from Atlanta is more economical than the 8 hours round trip home. Best of all I won’t have the jitters from A-town traffic.

Hopefully you’re staying warm and not getting cabin fever too bad.

Ahh yes, the anticipation is driving me nuts. I never went to bed last night, I've been reading SDS100 threads, watching The Scanner Guys videos... and editing them down and combining them for personal use. I'm shooting for January 5th or 12th to go pick it and it's accessories up.

Another thing that hit me in the face like a cold glass of ice water was learning about the Butel ARC536 Pro program. That on screen virtual display and logging feature is kind of neat, it's a like the Airspy software for my RTL-SDR.

Actually I don't mind staying indoors in the winter, it's the best time for me to play with my hobbies, because come spring and summer I have too much yard work and home maintenance chores to keep up with after I get home from work.

Let me know when you get your SDS100!

 

[trentbob]

I'll keep the link to that manual (in case I need it), thanks. In the meantime I've already downloaded and printed up the manual in book form.

View attachment 114192

So when you get your radio take the manual which will be in plastic and taped and leave it intact. As always keep all of the wrappings intact as possible with the box. Someday down the line, you may want to sell it, you of course, already know this.

Another good piece of advice for you. If you decide that you do want to buy upgrades. Don't go to Uniden and buy the keys until you have owned the radio and run it through its paces. Most reputable dealers give you a 30-day money-back guarantee but upgrades are not transferable. Depending on the vendor it could get sticky trying to get them to replace those also.

Bottom line is when you get the radio all you will have to do it is make sure you have the latest firmware and database update and program the radio.

You want to keep your eye on those first 10 or so charge cycles.

 

[Omega-TI]

So when you get your radio take the manual which will be in plastic and taped and leave it intact. As always keep all of the wrappings intact as possible with the box. Someday down the line, you may want to sell it, you of course, already know this.

Another good piece of advice for you. If you decide that you do want to buy upgrades. Don't go to Uniden and buy the keys until you have owned the radio and run it through its paces. Most reputable dealers give you a 30-day money-back guarantee but upgrades are not transferable. Depending on the vendor it could get sticky trying to get them to replace those also.

Bottom line is when you get the radio all you will have to do it is make sure you have the latest firmware and database update and program the radio.

You want to keep your eye on those first 10 or so charge cycles.

All your advice will be taken, although I doubt I will need to purchase any of the upgrades. Being that I spend 95% of my time in Lewis and Cowlitz counties.

Okay, you have me puzzled, why do I need to keep my eye on the first 1-10 charges?

The only truly negative thing I've seen about this radio are comments on it's audio output...



... which for the price is a little concerning. Does anyone an amplified speaker at home as well?

 

[trentbob]

I found that even though lithium ion batteries don't need conditioning per say your radio is going to take a long time to charge when you first get it. As difficult as it might be for you, you might want to charge it with the radio off, the first few times, even though you have an option to charge the radio while it is on. Probably really doesn't matter. You will be able to change the values of the warning that the battery is low. I, personally, would keep everything at default the way it is set. Plenty of differences of opinion as always. Read the multiple threads regarding the battery, especially when you first start to use it.

The audio output is also a controversial topic LOL. Personally I never had a problem with the audio. I kind of like that tinny sound, I call it crisp LOL.

As far as a amplified speaker, the earphone jack as in most radios today are deliberately designed to protect your ears which means they are at a lower volume than the speaker itself. I have my 100 permanently mounted in my car paired with a Larsen tri-band. What I found was an amplified speaker plugged into the earphone jack was the same volume as the speaker on the radio, if that makes any sense.

Again there's all kinds of opinions that people are entitled to and the radio has been out since May of 2018, as you read the tremendous amount of information you will see the difference in opinions.

If you owned the x36 then there's really no learning curve involved but if you've never owned a 436 or a 536 this is a pretty steep learning curve even for the sharpest.

Personally, I adhere to the KISS principal. Best way to deal with the high learning curve LOL.

 

[Omega-TI]

Part of what I'm doing, before mine gets here, is to prep some segments for a video. Yeah, I know many experts have made videos on the SDS100, like The Scanner Guys, but this video will be a TRUE first time setup from a "newbie."

Here is the planned 20 second intro segment...

 

[KN4EHX]

Su

Part of what I'm doing, before mine gets here, is to prep some segments for a video. Yeah, I know many experts have made videos on the SDS100, like The Scanner Guys, but this video will be a TRUE first time setup from a "newbie."

Here is the planned 20 second intro segment...

Subscribed!

 

[trentbob]

Part of what I'm doing, before mine gets here, is to prep some segments for a video. Yeah, I know many experts have made videos on the SDS100, like The Scanner Guys, but this video will be a TRUE first time setup from a "newbie."

Here is the planned 20 second intro segment...

A YouTube video is always interesting of an unboxing. Although the radio has been out for years people are still buying them up.

I see the next video in line was girl in the Woods, how to install a well. I look at her videos all the time!

 

[PDXh0b0]

All your advice will be taken, although I doubt I will need to purchase any of the upgrades. Being that I spend 95% of my time in Lewis and Cowlitz counties.

Okay, you have me puzzled, why do I need to keep my eye on the first 1-10 charges?

The only truly negative thing I've seen about this radio are comments on it's audio output...

View attachment 114196

... which for the price is a little concerning. Does anyone an amplified speaker at home as well?

Cowlitz here, and there is quiet a bit of DMR & NXDN

 

[Omega-TI]

Cowlitz here, and there is quiet a bit of DMR & NXDN

Is the DMR mostly Amateur Radio stuff? What uses NXDN? I find myself in Longview quite a bit, but only on average in the car for about 20 minutes each day. I'm not sure it would be worth paying for the upgrade.

Oh, and one off-topic question: Has the Oak Tree reopened yet?