SDS100 and SDS200 FAQ Page

Welcome to the SDS100 and SDS200 FAQ page. Please document tips, tricks, problems (and hopefully resolutions) here. For Videos, software, accessories and mailing lists please see page 2 of this document

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
• Sentinel (Uniden's software) questions and answers should be found in Sentinel for the BCD436HP/BCD536HP/SDS100/SDS200
• 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?
  • Location Based Scanning
  • 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 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)

What Must I Do First?

• See the New SDS100 owners - first things to do Thread
• New SDS200 Owner Thread
• SDS200 Trunking Help Thread

Tips on Preventing Database Corruption

• Always turn off the power switch, wait about 10 seconds then unplug it
• Use recording and the replay options as little as possible
• Periodically reformat the SD card
• I am getting a corruption message. My favorites are in (French, Spanish, etc.)
  • Make sure that the Regional Setting in Windows is set correctly.
• Here is another method to restore your database and the date on the database is the same as the one being downloaded

1. Look in C:\ProgramData\Uniden\BCDx36HP_Sentinel\Updater\ (note the ProgramData directory may be hidden. Use View and make sure Show Hidden Files is checked
2. Remove the GZ file in that folder
3. In Sentinel select Update --> Update Master Database.

Feature List and Functions Discussions

Add a P25 Frequency to a List

• See the Manually Add New P25 Frequency To Any List Thread

Connect to the SDS200 via WiFi

• See the Connecting to your SDS200 via WiFi Thread
• See the WiFi Dongle for the SDS200 Thread

Control Channel Only

• Control Channel Only

Copy Data from a SDS100 to a SDS200

• See the Set Up my new SDS200 Thread

Customize the Display

• See the Change the SDS100 and 200 Opening Screen Thread
• SDS100 Startup Screen Says SDS200 Thread
• See the How do I set up my display? Thread
• Background Colors and Text Thread
• SDS100 Text Color Thread
• See the SDS100 Display Color Options Thread

Digital End Code Detection

• Digital End Code detection

DMR MOTOTRBO Programming

• See DMR and MOTOTRBO Tips for the BCDx36HP and SDS Scanners

Dropping Audio

• See the SDS200 Cutting Audio Thread

Finding the ESN

How do I find the ESN of my scanner so I can perform an upgrade?

• See the Finding ESN/Sub number Thread

Firmware Updates and Support Files

Where can I find...

• The firmware updates for the SDS100?
  • Go to the SDS100 Firmware Twiki page
  • See the New SDS Firmware is here Thread
• The firmware updates for the SDS200?
  • Go to the SDS200 Firmware Twiki page
• The latest version of Sentinel?
  • Go to the Sentinel (Uniden software) article
• A copy of the USB Serial Drivers?
  • The serial driver can be found as a zip file link here Note: The x36 and SDS versions are the same

Global Filters

• SDS100 SDS200 Filter Settings (PDF)
• See the Global Filter Settings Spreadsheet and Information Thread
• See the SDS200 Filter Settings Thread
• See the What is the difference with all the filters in the SDS100 Thread
• See the Global Filter Modes Thread
• See the The Art Of Filtering Thread
• See the SDS100 Filter Failure Thread
• See the What is the Difference With All the Filters in the SDS100? Thread
• See the Filters (usage of) Thread

Global Positioning Systems (GPS)

• See the How to Make a GPS for the SDS100 for USD42 Thread
• See the Help Troubleshooting a DIY GPS for SDS100 Thread

I-Call

• See this section in the Easier to Read Manual

Keypad Shortcuts

• They are listed in the manual and also in the SDS100 Keypad Shortcuts Thread

LCN Finder

• LCN Finder (Easier to Read SDS100 / SDS200 Manual)
• LCN Finder Need Help Thread
• Having Trouble with LCN Finder Thread

Location Based Scanning

• Location Based Scanning
• SDS200 Sentinel GPS Location Type Circle vs. Rectangle Thread

Manual Tuning (VFO mode)

• SDS200 Manual Tuning Thread

NXDN Discussions

• See the NXDN Tips for the BCDx36HP and SDS Scanners article

Priority Channel

• See the Set a Priority Channel From The Radio Thread

Reset the Scanner

• See the How to reset a SDS200 back to factory defaults Thread

USB Programming Cable

• See the Programming Cable for SDS100 / 200 Thread
• See the SDS100 USB / Power cable Thread
• See the pinout diagram on the SDS100 wiki
• See the SDS100 USB / Power cable Thread

Issues Discussions (General)

Create a Debug File

1. Hold down the Avoid button and power on the scanner. Keep holding it until the favorite lists starts to load.
2. Then go to the scanner menu and choose Setting and you should find a Set Debug Log Mode menu.
3. Go in there and select SD Card and then exit out to normal scan mode.
4. Let it scan for a minute or two and then connect the USB cable to scanner and PC and select Mass Storage Mode.
5. With the Windows Explorer program that handles files, (or just hold down the Windows button and E on the PC keyboard and click on the SD card)
6. Go into the SD card drive and down into the BCDx36HP folder and into the Debug folder.

FM broadcast Interference

• See the FM Bandstop Filter Comparison Thread

Frequency Rounding

• See the SDS100 200 Frequency Rounding Thread

Nothing to Scan

• See the Nothing to Scan article

Win7 cant find a File

• See the Win7 cant find the file specified Thread

Issues Discussions (SDS100)

Battery Issues

• See the SDS100 Battery Issues Thread

Blank Display

• See the My SDS100 display goes blank Thread

Cold Solder Joint

• See the Cold Solder Joint Thread for a detailed description and picture. Unless you have the proper tools, this would be an Uniden repair.

Missed Transmissions

• One of the first things to check is to make sure all desired service types are on. Right from the factory, only a few are active
• See the BCD436HP vs. SDS100 Missing Transmissions Thread
• See the sds-100-wont-receive-but-436-hear-the-same-channels-next-to-it Thread

No Audio

• See the No audio output from SDS100 Thread

Scanner Not Recognized by the PC

• See the SDS100 is not recognized by the computer Thread

Slow Scanning

• See the SDS100 Scans Very Slow Thread
• See the Slow scanning with the SDS100 Thread
• See the SDS100 Slow Scanning Thread

Stop Receiving

• See the SDS100 Stopped Receiving Thread

Static on VHF or UHF Analog

• See the Static on VHF UHF Analog Frequencies Thread

Unused Hole

• See the Hold on backside of SDS100 Thread

Issues Discussions (SDS200)

Display Flicker

• See the SDS200 Screen Flicker Thread

Freeze Up

• See the SDS200 Freezing Issue Thread

Hum Issues

• 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
• SDS200 Possible Hum Thread
• SDS200 Background Noise Finally Resolved by Uniden Thread

RSSI Value of -1004?

• See the SDS200 Shows RSSI Values of -1004 Thread

Set the Backlight?

• See the SDS200 Set the Backlight Thread

Slow Scanning

• See the SDS200 Slow Scan Speed Thread

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• Return to SDS100
• Return to SDS200
• Go to SDS100 and SDS200 FAQ Page 2