SDS100 and SDS200 FAQ Page

Welcome to the SDS100 and SDS200 FAQ page. Please document tips, tricks, problems (and hopefully resolutions) here.

NOTE: We have separate FAQs for other Uniden products;

• If you are looking for information on the x36hp series scanners, see the BCD436HP and BCD536HP Scanner FAQ. That FAQ should also be consulted for other issues with the SDS series as they share a great many things in common
• If you are looking for HomePatrol-1 or HomePatrol-2 information, see the Uniden Home Patrol FAQ
• If you are looking for other Uniden 2 tier DMA driven scanners, see the Uniden DMA FAQ

The Nuts and Bolts

• If you're a newcomer, you've probably already discovered that there's a huge amount of terms that seem unfamiliar to you. Our Glossary has lots of these terms, along with definitions. Just click on the term you wish to view.

• When looking at frequencies in our database, float your mouse over the column header, and you should get a balloon with a brief description of the terms and abbreviations that are used there.

• The biggest hurdle for many is the concept of trunking. Our Trunking Basics article will get you started, as well as this PDF file written by UPMan. Note that you will need Adobe Acrobat or a compatible reader (such as Foxit) to read it.

Relevant Resource Material

• Are there any better user manuals for the SDS100 / 200?
  • Easier to Read SDS100/SDS200 Manual
  • SDS100/200 Sentinel Manual

• Do we have any relevant wiki articles on the terminology and concepts these scanners use?
  • Uniden BCDx36HP Quick Keys and Number Tags
  • Uniden DMA FAQ
  • Uniden Scanners Systems, Sites and Groups/Departments
  • Uniden Multi-Site Trunking
  • Working with Scanners with Secure Digital (SD) Cards

• Are there any additional resources?
  • Scanner Master SDS100 Hints, Tips and FAQs
  • SDS200 Display options and menus via Universal Radio

• I lost my owners manual. Where can I download a replacement?
  • SDS100 Owner's Manual (PDF)
  • SDS200 Owner's Manual (PDF)

Firmware and Support

Where can I find...

• The firmware updates for the SDS100?
  • Go to the SDS100 Firmware Twiki page
• The firmware updates for the SDS200?
  • Go to the SDS200 Firmware Twiki page
• The latest version of Sentinel?
  • Go to the Sentinel Versions and Releases article on the Uniden TWiki

Third Party Software Support

• Butel ARC536 Software Favorites Editor and Remote Control Software is available minus Firmware Updates
  • Forum Support can be found here

• ProScan Full Featured Favorites Editor and Remote Control Software is available minus Firmware Updates
  • ProScan Official Support Thread

• Digital Frequency Search webtool
  • Digital Frequency Quick Import webtool
    • Locates DMR and conventional Phase 1 data on the FCC database
    • Has import tool compatible with ARC536 and Sentinel

• Scanner Remote For the Mac
  • See the New free scanner software available in the apple mac app store Thread for more information

• Universal Scanner Audio Player
  • The Support Thread is here

Reported Issues and Questions

Questions / How do I...

• Get Started For The First Time?
  • See the New SDS100 owners - first things to do Thread
  • New SDS200 Owner Thread

• Change the Opening Screen?
  • See the Change the SDS100 and 200 Opening Screen Thread

• Connect to my SDS200 via WiFi?
  • See the Connecting to your SDS200 via WiFi Thread

• Copy Data from my SDS100 to a SDS200?
  • See the Set Up my new SDS200 Thread

• Replace my programming cable for the 100 / 200?
  • See the Programming Cable for SDS100 / 200 Thread
  • See the pinout diagram on the SDS100 wiki

• Learn about the Global Filter Settings?
  • See the Global Filter Settings Spreadsheet and Information Thread
  • See the SDS200 Filter Settings Thread

• Add a Bandscope?
  • See the SDS100 / SDS200 Bandscope Thread
  • SDS100 Spectrum Display Waterfall-What Am I Missing? Thread
  • SDS200 Waterfall Demo Thread

• Program a DMR system?
  • This topic is discussed in the Uniden TWiki here
  • See the DMR Single Channel Programming Thread
  • See the Fun with DMR Programming A Single Channel DMR System Thread
  • See the Programming a Tier III DMR System Thread
  • See the DMR Help Thread
  • If you have further questions, view previous discussions or post them on the Uniden Tech Support forum

• Find the keypad shortcuts?
  • They are listed in the manual and also in the SDS100 Keypad Shortcuts Thread

• Program a NXDN Single Frequency vs. a NXDN Conventional Channel?
  • See the NXDN One Freq vs. NXDN Conventional Programming Thread

• Customize my display?
  • See the How do I set up my display? Thread
  • Background Colors and Text Thread

• Add a Priority Channel Without Using Sentinel?
  • See the Set a Priority Channel From The Radio Thread

• Manually add a P25 Frequency to any list?
  • See the Manually Add New P25 Frequency To Any List Thread

Reported Issues -SDS100

• What is the purpose of the evidently unused hole on the back of the SDS100?
  • See the Hold on backside of SDS100 Thread

• I dont want to scratch the screen. Are there any screen protectors for the 100?
  • See the Screen Protector Found Thread
  • Also see this Google search

• The SDS100 battery gets very hot / fails prematurely. What is wrong?
  • See the SDS100 Battery Issues Thread

• Why did my SDS100 Suddenly Stop Receiving?
  • See the SDS100 Stopped Receiving Thread

• How did I break my battery door clip?
  • See the Broken battery door clip due to large battery tightness Thread

• My SDS100 is not being recognized by my computer
  • See the SDS100 is not recognized by the computer Thread

• I have lost audio on my SDS100 even though it appears to be tracking/scanning
  • See the No audio output from SDS100 Thread

• My SDS100 display goes blank. How can I fix this?
  • See the My SDS100 display goes blank Thread

• My SDS100 has stopped picking up any signals
  • See the SDS100 stopped receiving Thread

• Why does my SDS100 Scan So Slowly?
  • See the SDS100 Scans Very Slow Thread

• How can I find Information on the SDS100 USB / Power Cable?
  • See the SDS100 USB / Power cable Thread

• I have issues with charging my SDS100
  • See the SDS100 Charging Thread
  • SDS100 Won't Charge Thread
  • Set Charge While Turned On Thread
  • Power and Charging Thread

• Can I Change the Colors/Lettering on my SDS100?
  • See the SDS100 Display Color Options Thread

• What is causing static on VHF and UHF analog frequencies?
  • See the Static on VHF UHF Analog Frequencies Thread

Reported Issues - SDS200

• I have a hum issue on my SDS200. Where can I find more information on how to fix it?
  • See the SDS200 Hum Reports Thread
  • SDS200 hum was fixed but came back Thread
  • SDS200 Hum as of 8-15-2019 Thread
  • Using the NMP200 Thread
  • SDS200 audio hum problem fixed now? Thread
  • Unauthorized Modification To Fix Hum Thread

• Im getting a SD Card Access Error (SDS200). How do I resolve it?
  • See the SDS200 SD Card Access Error Thread

• How Do I Set the Backlight?
  • See the SDS200 Set the Backlight Thread

• Why am I seeing a RSSI Value of -1004?
  • See the SDS200 Shows RSSI Values of -1004 Thread

• What causes the display to flicker?
  • See the SDS200 Screen Flicker Thread

YouTube Videos

• How can I find relevant YouTube videos on these scanners?
  • Generic Search on SDS100 Programming
  • Generic Search on SDS200 Programming