Yup, more questions about SDS 100

[Scannernitwit]

Hello everyone.
Foremost, I hope all of you are well and weathering the storm.

Before making a major purchase, I research; often on product specific forums and of course YouTube.
However, in this case I am well behind the curve understanding the technology and am a bit intimidated.

Back in 2015 members of Radio Reference gave me good advice and I am hopeful you will help again.

I have decided to purchase the SDS 100 scanner as it is the most current technology.
My needs a small and I will not be a “power user”.

Massachusetts State Police
Middlesex County, MA
GPS enabled for a long drive I often take.

Recognizing these questions have been asked some zillion times; please answer one more time!

I keep reading about problems with memory card, construction quality, antennas, poor customer service and I do not have the knowledge to sort through the real and not so real.

Is the SDS reliable?

For several hundred dollars, it should be 99.9% out of the box.
For that cost it should be replaceable no questions asked and I get the impression this is not the case.

Lastly, it is my intention to have an antenna installed if I can find a place that does that work. Will daily cycles of plugging/unplugging antenna damage the radio.

Best wishes to everyone. Stay healthy, stay safe.
Merry Christmas.

Take care,
Kevin

 

[highwayman1224]

Hello everyone.
Foremost, I hope all of you are well and weathering the storm.

Before making a major purchase, I research; often on product specific forums and of course YouTube.
However, in this case I am well behind the curve understanding the technology and am a bit intimidated.

Back in 2015 members of Radio Reference gave me good advice and I am hopeful you will help again.

I have decided to purchase the SDS 100 scanner as it is the most current technology.
My needs a small and I will not be a “power user”.

Massachusetts State Police
Middlesex County, MA
GPS enabled for a long drive I often take.

Recognizing these questions have been asked some zillion times; please answer one more time!

I keep reading about problems with memory card, construction quality, antennas, poor customer service and I do not have the knowledge to sort through the real and not so real.

Is the SDS reliable?

For several hundred dollars, it should be 99.9% out of the box.
For that cost it should be replaceable no questions asked and I get the impression this is not the case.

Lastly, it is my intention to have an antenna installed if I can find a place that does that work. Will daily cycles of plugging/unplugging antenna damage the radio.

Best wishes to everyone. Stay healthy, stay safe.
Merry Christmas.

Take care,
Kevin

I've had mine for about a year and no problems with the memory card or anything else.

 

[KK4JUG]

Why are you having an antenna "installed?" It comes with a dependable SMA connector. A improvement would be an SMA to BNC connector. They're available from Jonweinke and are virtually foolproof.

 

[trentbob]

So I've had mine since... it was released, maybe early June 2018 But I noticed that the battery was in my hand, in pieces, with the cover in pieces after a few days. I remember all the negative post that you destroyed the radio and it's your fault. I just picked it up LOL.

As an experienced radio guy and experienced registered nurse who became a newsman and retired as such I just ignored it and pulled out the old dependable... Gorilla Tape. Problem solved.

Oh as other problems you might have. Keep an eye on your tune knob. That old problem is coming back as it did with the 536 but I don't think it's a big deal.

 

[Scannernitwit]

Why are you having an antenna "installed?" It comes with a dependable SMA connector. A improvement would be an SMA to BNC connector. They're available from Jonweinke and are virtually foolproof.

Sorry... I was not clear. Most people on Radio Reference recommend an external antenna for vehicle use.
I certainly don't know how to do it and would like it done professionally.
It may take some time but I'll figure all this stuff out!

Take care,
Kevin

 

[Scannernitwit]

So I've had mine since... it was released, maybe early June 2018 But I noticed that the battery was in my hand, in pieces, with the cover in pieces after a few days. I remember all the negative post that you destroyed the radio and it's your fault. I just picked it up LOL.

As an experienced radio guy and experienced registered nurse who became a newsman and retired as such I just ignored it and pulled out the old dependable... Gorilla Tape. Problem solved.

Oh as other problems you might have. Keep an eye on your tune knob. That old problem is coming back as it did with the 536 but I don't think it's a big deal.

Yes, without a doubt, Gorilla tape, thanks!

 

[Scannernitwit]

I've had mine for about a year and no problems with the memory card or anything else.

Thank you for your insight.
As I wrote; tought to sort through all the good and bad reviews when I have little experience with present day scanners.
Take care,
Kevin

 

[highwayman1224]

Thank you for your insight.
As I wrote; tought to sort through all the good and bad reviews when I have little experience with present day scanners.
Take care,
Kevin

I drive a truck for a living and just use the GPS on it. I don't stay in one area all the time so I don't have any systems or anything else programmed in it, I just choose what I want to listen to from the database such as police, fire etc and let it scan. If I stayed in one area all the time I'd have to figure out how to program stuff... Lol

 

[fxdscon]

I keep reading about problems with memory card.......

Errors and corruption with memory cards is always a remote possibility regardless of what type of device they are used in, but as long as you’re prepared with a couple of backups it’s a very trivial matter.

Just keep a couple of extra SD cards on hand when traveling, with all of your files from your working card copied to them. In the rare event anything happens to your working memory card, you can just swap it out with a spare and be back up and running in a matter of a couple of minutes.

On a side note, if you plan to get any of the paid upgrades for DMR or NXDN do not pay a dealer to install them at the time of purchase. You can install them yourself at any time for much less than the dealers will charge you.

 

[trentbob]

Yes, without a doubt, Gorilla tape, thanks!

Hahaha, just keep in mind I decided I'm not going to sell the radio and I don't remove the battery ever. When the latch broke I had very rarely removed the battery. It just broke in my hands. The tape worked very well and I use a nylon Scanner Master case.

 

[jonwienke]

Replacement battery latches are available

 

[SierraTangoAlpha]

I am a new SDS 100 Owner after having the 325P2 for a couple of years..I just have to say after a few days of ownership..I love the 325P2.
The SDS 100 is slow to start up..loading the database and favourites. The Sentinel Software takes some getting used to..compared to the ARC BUTEL PRO which has become second nature. The location based scanning function is really nice..put in your postcode or state and it loads everything within a 10-mile radius..(you can select or limit the radius) The menu options and arrangements are not as easy to grab onto as the 325P2. I have the Provoice Upgrade on the 325P2 and will probably do the same for the SDS100 one day. I have an SMA to BNC conncector for more antenna options and would say that is the best upgrade I have done. Upgrading the internal database was pretty easy. You need a computer if you want to really dig into the options..its faster to make the changes vs scrolling through the menus on the radio... I am not in love with the SDS100 yet and maybe never will be..and would say..the 325P2 will do most of what the 100 does with the exception of simulcast..my attitude may change in the next year..I'll have to see.

 

[KK4JUG]

Most of us who like the SDS100 have never advocated ditching an old scanner if that owner is happy. There are definitely areas of the country that still don't have digital or simulcast. If that's the case, upgrading might be a waste of money just to find another way of listening to the same old stuff. Having said that, systems are being upgraded daily in an effort to improve technology or simply replace dilapidated equipment. If the coins are available, you can pretty much future-proof your scanning because the SDS scanners will give you access to virtually everything you're allowed to listen to anywhere in the country.

 

[SierraTangoAlpha]

Most of us who like the SDS100 have never advocated ditching an old scanner if that owner is happy. There are definitely areas of the country that still don't have digital or simulcast. If that's the case, upgrading might be a waste of money just to find another way of listening to the same old stuff. Having said that, systems are being upgraded daily in an effort to improve technology or simply replace dilapidated equipment. If the coins are available, you can pretty much future-proof your scanning because the SDS scanners will give you access to virtually everything you're allowed to listen to anywhere in the country.

I agree with you completely ''if the coins are available'' I bought mine used with no box but everything that came with it for $588.00 USD and consider that an investment in the future. I have the cheap RTL SDR Dongle and now the SDS100 to learn with so if UNIDEN decides to roll out an upgraded model then it will have to have some great features to make me want to take on the pain. I would tell them to concentrate on making the menus more useable.

 

[Scannernitwit]

SierraTangoAlpha:
Thank you for the information.
After much thought I have decided to purchase the SDS100 and despite the cost and complexity I believe it will do what I want it to do. (If not, someone on Radio Reference (RR) will get a good deal!) I also will invest in an inexpensive PC computer and learn how to use the radio software and of course learn the radio.
After the holiday I will contact an RR member about internal GPS and look into getting an external antenna with an SMA to BNC adaptor for the truck.
I'm looking forward to the radio and maybe I will try to take a more active roll in RR as a newbe.
First I have to crawl, walk, run!
Take care,
Kevin

 

[SierraTangoAlpha]

SierraTangoAlpha:
Thank you for the information.
After much thought I have decided to purchase the SDS100 and despite the cost and complexity I believe it will do what I want it to do. (If not, someone on Radio Reference (RR) will get a good deal!) I also will invest in an inexpensive PC computer and learn how to use the radio software and of course learn the radio.
After the holiday I will contact an RR member about internal GPS and look into getting an external antenna with an SMA to BNC adaptor for the truck.
I'm looking forward to the radio and maybe I will try to take a more active roll in RR as a newbe.
First I have to crawl, walk, run!
Take care,
Kevin

It took me 2 years to decide to make the plunge but there is an absolute learning curve..with WINDOWS 10 you need to be prepared to activate the correct Net Framework 2.0 version..I ran into multiple issues downloading and installing the software on Windows 10..in the end it was resolved by following Home Patrol Net Framework Windows 10
You will need to install the .net version it is asking you for.

In Windows 10, go to:

Control Panel --> Programs and features --> Turn Windows features on or off (in the upper left corner)

once that window populates, click in the box that says ".NET Framework 3.5 (Includes .NET 2.0 and 3.0) you don't need to select the 2 sub-headings under that main one.

Click OK, and it will be installed.''

This one little post saved me lots of frustration because the installer asks for an install version of framework and will continue to even if you follow the link and dig through the menus for Legacy Versions of Net Framework..and run the command line to verify its installation..guess what..the software will STILL NOT INSTALL..The link I posted solved my install issue first time..after hours of trying..LOL I have the ARC BUTEL for the SDS100/200/536 and can not really recommend it either..the Sentinel Software is what you need to get used to using. ON the bright side if you use the AUTOLOCATE feature it will faithfully load EVERYTHING it can..provided you have the SERVICE types all switched to on. Get an SMA to BNC connector to broaden your antenna choices..and be prepared to be a bit patient..the manual is there but you will not need it MOSTLY..

 

[KK4JUG]

Before you spend a lot of money on an external antenna, you need to know many people have reported excellent reception inside a vehicle with just the Remtronics (rubber duck style) antenna. Just so you know, others haven't enjoyed the same results. Either way, you still need the SMA to BNC adapter.

 

[Scannernitwit]

It took me 2 years to decide to make the plunge but there is an absolute learning curve..with WINDOWS 10 you need to be prepared to activate the correct Net Framework 2.0 version..I ran into multiple issues downloading and installing the software on Windows 10..in the end it was resolved by following Home Patrol Net Framework Windows 10
You will need to install the .net version it is asking you for.

In Windows 10, go to:

Control Panel --> Programs and features --> Turn Windows features on or off (in the upper left corner)

once that window populates, click in the box that says ".NET Framework 3.5 (Includes .NET 2.0 and 3.0) you don't need to select the 2 sub-headings under that main one.

Click OK, and it will be installed.''

Haven't a clue, but thank you nonetheless!
My son is a PC guru for a school system and when the time comes I will pass this on to him.
Take care... Kevin

 

[Scannernitwit]

KK4JUG:
Thank you, I appreciate your insight.
However, this is what causes me all kinds of confusion.
From reading Radio Reference (RR) I get the impression that a roof antenna is necessary and it must be drilled etc.
Sometimes too much research is counter productive!
The radio will be used on some sort of clamp mount with the stock antenna for a couple of months while I learn how to use it.
If I become confident and it appears to be doing what I want it to do I will take the dive and have an antenna installed.
Take care,
Kevin

 

[SierraTangoAlpha]

Before you spend a lot of money on an external antenna, you need to know many people have reported excellent reception inside a vehicle with just the Remtronics (rubber duck style) antenna. Just so you know, others haven't enjoyed the same results. Either way, you still need the SMA to BNC adapter.

I have an MFJ Dual Bander plus an MFJ Mag Mount for my vehicle..so the SMA to BNC is all I really needed at the moment..I have heard good things about the Remtronics but have not tried it out as of yet..