Boy and a Scanner
SDS100 Manual

Uniden SDS100 Complete Manual

This comprehensive manual guides you through every feature of your SDS100 scanner. Explore setup, programming, advanced features, and troubleshooting.

The Complete Uniden SDS100 Manual

A Step-by-Step Guide for "Boy and a Scanner" Viewers

Created by David J Woodbury for the Boy and a Scanner YouTube Community

Table of Contents

  1. First Time Setup
  2. Basic Operation
  3. Using the Database (Easy Mode)
  4. Creating Favorites Lists
  5. Manual Programming
  6. Trunked System Programming
  7. Advanced Features
  8. Troubleshooting
  9. Quick Reference

First Time Setup

What's in the Box

Step 1: Install the Battery

  1. Remove the battery compartment cover on the back
  2. Insert the lithium-ion battery pack (metal contacts facing down)
  3. Replace the cover until it clicks

Step 2: First Power On

  1. Press and hold the Power button (top button) for 2 seconds
  2. The scanner will boot up and display the Uniden logo
  3. You'll see loading screens - this is normal

Step 3: Set Your Location

This is CRITICAL for the scanner to work!

Method 1: ZIP Code (Easiest)

  1. Press the ZIP button (top right)
  2. Select USA or Canada
  3. Enter your 5-digit ZIP code using the number keys
  4. Press E to confirm
  5. The scanner will automatically load local frequencies

Method 2: Auto Locate

  1. Press MENU
  2. Scroll to Set Your Location → Press E
  3. Select Auto Locate → Press E
  4. Wait for the scanner to find a signal (can take 5-10 minutes)
  5. When prompted, press E to accept the location

Step 4: Adjust Volume and Squelch

  1. Tap the scroll knob to show volume
  2. Turn the scroll knob to adjust (0-15)
  3. Tap again to close volume display
  4. Press FUNC + Tap scroll knob to show squelch
  5. Turn scroll knob to adjust (2-5 is usually good)
  6. Tap again to close squelch display

Basic Operation

Understanding the Display

Basic Controls

| Button | Function |

|--------|----------|

| Power | Press/hold to turn on/off, tap for backlight |

| Scroll Knob | Volume (tap first), menu navigation |

| FUNC | Function key for secondary functions |

| MENU | Access all programming menus |

| AVOID | Skip unwanted channels |

| ZIP | Set location by ZIP code |

| E | Enter/Yes |

| ./NO | Decimal point/No |

The Three Hold Modes

Understanding these is ESSENTIAL:

System Hold (Soft Key 1)

Department Hold (Soft Key 2)

Channel Hold (Soft Key 3)

Using the Database (Easy Mode)

The SDS100 comes with a massive database of all known radio systems in North America. This is the EASIEST way to start scanning.

Step-by-Step Database Setup

1. Update Everything First

ALWAYS do this when you get a new scanner:

  1. Connect scanner to computer with USB cable
  2. Turn on scanner, select Mass Storage
  3. Download and install Sentinel Software from Uniden.com
  4. In Sentinel: Update Firmware (wait for completion)
  5. In Sentinel: Update Master Database (wait for completion)
  6. Write updated data to scanner

2. Set Your Service Types

This controls WHAT you hear:

  1. Press FUNC + ZIP
  2. You'll see a list of service types:
  1. Scroll to each type you want
  2. Press E to toggle ON/OFF
  3. Press System to exit

Pro Tip: Start with just Dispatch channels ON, add others later.

3. Adjust Your Range

  1. Press MENU
  2. Set Your Location → Set Range
  3. Enter range in miles (10-25 is good for most areas)
  4. Press E to confirm

Understanding Range Settings

| Location Method | Default Range | Best For |

|----------------|---------------|----------|

| ZIP Code | 10 miles | Most users |

| Auto Locate | 30 miles | Rural areas |

| GPS | 0 miles | Traveling |

Creating Favorites Lists

Think of Favorites Lists like custom radio presets. You can have different lists for different purposes.

Quick Method: Add Current Database Channels

This is the FASTEST way to create a favorites list:

  1. Let the scanner run scanning database channels for 10-15 minutes
  2. Press MENU
  3. Manage Favorites → New Favorites List
  4. Enter name (like "Local Police" or "Home Area")
  5. Add Current DB Channels → Press E
  6. Confirm → Press E
  7. Wait for it to save

What this does: Takes everything you've been hearing and saves it to your new list.

Manual Method: Using Sentinel Software

This gives you more control:

In Sentinel:

  1. Expand Database → Your State → Your County
  2. Right-click the system you want
  3. Append to Favorites List
  4. New Favorites List → Name it
  5. Repeat for other systems
  6. Write to Scanner

Organizing Your Lists:

Managing Favorites Lists

Enable/Disable Lists:

  1. Press number keys (0-9) to toggle lists on/off
  2. Enabled lists = Numbers shown in top right
  3. Disabled lists = Numbers not shown

Quick Keys:

Manual Programming

Sometimes you need to program frequencies manually. Here's how:

Quick Frequency Entry (Fastest Method)

  1. Hold any channel (press Channel soft key)
  2. Enter the frequency (like 155.7600)
  3. Press Channel soft key again
  4. Scanner tunes to that frequency immediately

Saving Frequencies Permanently

Method 1: Direct Save

  1. Tune to frequency (using method above)
  2. Press E twice quickly (Quick Save)
  3. Edit name if desired
  4. Frequency is saved to current favorites list

Method 2: Through Menu

  1. Press MENU
  2. Manage Favorites → Select a list
  3. Review/Edit System → New System
  4. Conventional → Confirm
  5. Edit Department → New Department
  6. Edit Channel → New Channel
  7. Enter frequency → Press E
  8. Set Name → Enter name

Channel Options You Can Set

For each channel, you can configure:

Trunked System Programming

Trunked systems are more complex but very common. Here's how to handle them:

What is Trunking?

Programming P25 Systems (Most Common)

You need to know:

Step by Step:

  1. Get System Info from RadioReference.com
  1. Create New System:
  1. System Settings:
  1. Add Site (Frequencies):
  1. Add Departments:

DMR/MotoTRBO Systems (Optional Upgrade Required)

These require a paid upgrade but work similarly:

  1. Buy upgrade code from Uniden
  2. Enter code: MENU → Settings → Upgrade
  3. Create system: MotoTRBO Trunk type
  4. Add frequency and Color Code

Discovery Mode (Finding Unknown Systems)

If you find an unknown trunked system:

  1. MENU → Discovery → Trunking Discovery
  2. New Session → Name it
  3. Select system to monitor
  4. Start Discovery
  5. Let it run - it records everything
  6. Review results later to identify talk groups

Advanced Features

Close Call (RF Capture)

Finds strong nearby signals automatically:

Setup:

  1. FUNC + Search key 1 (or MENU → Search → Close Call)
  2. Set CC Mode:

Band Selection:

  1. In Close Call mode, press 0-6 to toggle bands
  2. 0: 25-54 MHz (VHF Low)
  3. 1: 144-174 MHz (VHF High)
  4. 2: 406-420 MHz (Federal)
  5. 3: 450-470 MHz (UHF Business)
  6. 4: 470-512 MHz (UHF T-Band)
  7. 5: 806-960 MHz (800/900 MHz)

Custom Searches

Search specific frequency ranges:

  1. MENU → Search For → Edit Custom
  2. Select Custom 0-9
  3. Set Frequency Range (like 460.000-470.000)
  4. Set Step Size (usually 12.5 kHz)
  5. Set Modulation (usually NFM)
  6. Search with Scan: ON to include during scanning

GPS Setup

For automatic location updates while traveling:

Using BC-SGPS Kit:

  1. Connect GPS unit to scanner USB port
  2. MENU → Set Your Location → Set Up GPS
  3. Set Serial Port: 9600 (for BC-SGPS)
  4. Location Format: DMS or DEG
  5. GPS icon shows when connected

GPS automatically updates your location and loads new frequencies as you travel.

Weather Alerts

Setup Weather Monitoring:

  1. MENU → WX Operation → Program SAME
  2. Enter your county FIPS code (find on NOAA website)
  3. Weather Alert: Named FIPS Code
  4. Back to scanning

Enable Weather Priority:

  1. Hold any channel
  2. FUNC + 6 (WX button)
  3. WX symbol appears on display
  4. Scanner checks weather alerts while scanning

Fire Tone-Out

Monitor fire department paging tones:

  1. MENU → Tone-Out-For → Tone-Out Setup
  2. Select slot 0-31
  3. Set Frequency of fire dispatch
  4. Set Tone A and B (get from RadioReference)
  5. Set Alert tone and light
  6. Tone-Out Standby to activate

Priority Scanning

Make certain channels check more often:

Set Priority Channels:

  1. Hold on desired channel
  2. MENU → Program this channel
  3. Set Priority: ON

Enable Priority:

  1. FUNC + ./NO (PRI button)
  2. Choose mode:

Recording and Replay

Replay Last Transmissions:

Start Recording:

Troubleshooting

"Nothing to Scan" Error

This means the scanner has no active channels. Fix it:

  1. Check Location: MENU → Set Your Location → verify ZIP code
  2. Check Service Types: FUNC + ZIP → turn ON desired types
  3. Check Lists: Press number keys to enable favorites lists
  4. Check Database: MENU → Set Scan Selection → Select Lists → Full Database ON
  5. Check Range: MENU → Set Range → increase to 25+ miles

Poor Reception

  1. Check antenna connection - should be tight
  2. Try different location - away from electronics
  3. Extend antenna fully
  4. Check squelch - should be 2-5, not higher
  5. Check attenuator - FUNC + 4 (should be OFF unless needed)

Scanner Stops on Noise

  1. Increase squelch - FUNC + tap scroll knob
  2. Check location - make sure ZIP code is correct
  3. Avoid noisy channels - press AVOID twice on bad channels

Missing Transmissions

  1. Check delay time - MENU → channel options → increase delay
  2. Disable Close Call if interfering
  3. Check priority settings - may be interrupting
  4. Verify frequencies on RadioReference.com

Battery Issues

  1. Charge indicator - red = charging, green = done
  2. Won't charge - check USB power (needs 1A minimum)
  3. Short battery life - replace after 2-3 years
  4. Scanner gets hot - normal during charging, stops if too hot

Firmware/Software Issues

  1. Update firmware regularly through Sentinel
  2. Update database weekly for best coverage
  3. Clear user data if major issues - MENU → Settings → Restore Options
  4. Factory reset - hold down scroll knob while powering on

Quick Reference

Essential Button Combinations

| Function | Buttons |

|----------|---------|

| Volume | Tap scroll knob, turn |

| Squelch | FUNC + tap scroll, turn |

| Backlight | Tap Power |

| Service Types | FUNC + ZIP |

| Priority | FUNC + ./NO |

| Weather Priority | FUNC + 6 |

| Display Mode | FUNC + 9 |

| Attenuation | FUNC + 4 |

| Close Call | FUNC + Search keys |

| Recording | FUNC + REPLAY |

| Lock/Unlock | FUNC + POWER |

Menu Shortcuts

| Path | Function |

|------|----------|

| MENU → Set Scan Selection | Enable/disable what scans |

| MENU → Manage Favorites | Create and edit favorites lists |

| MENU → Set Your Location | Change ZIP code or GPS setup |

| MENU → Search For | Custom searches and Close Call |

| MENU → Discovery | Find unknown systems |

| MENU → WX Operation | Weather alerts and scanning |

| MENU → Display Options | Customize what you see |

| MENU → Settings | Clock, battery, upgrades |

Service Types Quick Guide

| Type | What It Is |

|------|------------|

| Law Dispatch | Police dispatch channels |

| Fire Dispatch | Fire department dispatch |

| EMS Dispatch | Ambulance dispatch |

| Law-Tac | Police tactical/on-scene |

| Fire-Tac | Fire tactical/fireground |

| EMS-Tac | Ambulance on-scene |

| Multi-Dispatch | Combined dispatch |

| Federal | FBI, DEA, Border Patrol |

| Aircraft | Air traffic control |

| Railroad | Train communications |

| Business | Private companies |

| Public Works | City/county services |

Frequency Bands

| Band | Range | Common Use |

|------|-------|------------|

| VHF Low | 30-50 MHz | Some fire, forestry |

| VHF High | 144-174 MHz | Police, fire, EMS |

| UHF | 450-470 MHz | Business, some public safety |

| 700/800 MHz | 700-800 MHz | P25 trunked systems |

| 800/900 MHz | 806-960 MHz | Trunked systems |

Common Trunked System Types

| Type | Description |

|------|-------------|

| P25 Phase 1 | Most common digital system |

| P25 Phase 2 | Newer digital, more efficient |

| Motorola | Older but still common |

| EDACS | Mostly older systems |

| DMR | Business/amateur (upgrade needed) |

| NXDN | Newer digital (upgrade needed) |

Conclusion

This manual covers everything you need to know to successfully operate your Uniden SDS100. The key to success is:

  1. Start simple - use the database first
  2. Set your location correctly
  3. Choose appropriate service types
  4. Learn the three hold modes
  5. Practice with favorites lists
  6. Gradually add advanced features

Remember, scanning is a hobby that rewards patience and experimentation. Don't be afraid to try different settings and see what works best in your area.

For more detailed tutorials and real-world examples, check out the "Boy and a Scanner" YouTube channel where we demonstrate these techniques with actual systems and scenarios.

Happy Scanning!

Cheers,

David J. Woodbury

Boy and a Scanner

This manual is a living document. Updates and improvements will be posted on the Boy and a Scanner YouTube channel.