SDS100E Battery, Charging, microSD Card & First Steps

Summary: How to power and charge the SDS100E, look after the microSD card, and get the scanner set up the first time.

The Battery

The SDS100E runs from a lithium-ion battery pack.

• The scanner doesn’t charge the battery while it’s on. It charges while it’s off.
• Charge by connecting a USB power source to the USB mini connector (USB2) and switching the scanner off. Only the mini connector can charge. You can power the scanner from either the micro or the mini connector.
• Use a source rated 1A or higher for a full-rate charge. A PC or other lower-power USB source works, but charging takes longer. The included AC adapter is rated 2A.
• The charge indicator (right LED above the display) is red while charging and green when complete.
• If the scanner gets too hot while charging it turns itself off.
• Low battery: the scanner beeps every 15 seconds and shows a message.

Battery Options under Menu, Settings: Set Battery Save (reduces power use during conventional hold mode) and Set Battery Low (the alert display type and tone, and the low-battery voltage).

Viewing the Battery Level

Set a custom display area to show the battery voltage. See SDS100E Customising the Display.

The microSD Card

Everything is stored on the microSD card: your Favorites Lists, all settings, Discovery sessions, recordings and the RadioReference database. 1-32 GB cards are supported.

• Removing it: remove the back cover and the battery pack, slightly press down and slide the SD card holder to the right, then lift out the card. Refit it the same way.
• Reformatting: use the SD Association’s SD Card Formatter, then use Sentinel’s Clear User Data to restore all files and folders. After formatting the scanner isn’t detected automatically, so untick Hide empty drives in Windows Folder Options first.

First Steps

1. Install the battery pack, plug the USB cable into the scanner’s USB mini port and the other end into a PC.
2. Turn the scanner on by pressing the power key for about 2 seconds.
3. When prompted, choose Mass Storage.
4. Run Sentinel.
5. Update the scanner’s firmware and radio database to the latest versions (see SDS100E Understanding the Memory, Sentinel & Database Updates).

Initial Settings

1. Press and hold the power key for about 2 seconds.
2. Tap the scroll control to show the volume level, and turn it within 3 seconds to adjust.
3. Tap it again to close the display (or wait for it to disappear after 10 seconds).
4. Press Func, then tap the scroll control to show the squelch level; adjust it, and tap again to close it.

In North America, to begin scanning straight away press the Zip button, choose your country and enter your zip or postal code. The scanner loads channels for your area from the database and starts scanning.

Handling

Keep all the jack covers closed to keep the JIS4 water resistance. The scanner isn’t waterproof and isn’t covered for water damage.