What you need before you start

The SDS200 is a handheld scanner that receives radio transmissions on frequencies you program into it. Manual programming means entering frequencies directly into the device using its keypad and menu system, rather than uploading a pre-built file from a computer. You will need the actual frequencies you want to monitor — these come from online frequency databases, local scanner groups, or radio reference websites — and about 15 to 20 minutes per frequency to enter it correctly.

Before you begin, make sure your SDS200 is powered on and the battery has a reasonable charge. You should also have a pen and paper nearby to track which frequencies you have entered, since the device does not show you a summary of what you just programmed until you save and exit the menu.

The SDS200 stores frequencies in groups called "banks." Each bank can hold multiple frequencies, and you can turn banks on or off to control what the scanner listens to. This structure matters because you will need to create or select a bank before you can add a frequency to it.

Key Takeaways

  • You enter frequencies through the Menu button, then navigate to Banks, then to the specific bank where you want to add the frequency.
  • Each frequency entry requires the actual frequency number, a name you create (up to 16 characters), and a modulation type — usually FM for most local radio.
  • The SDS200 will not receive a frequency until you have saved it, exited the menu, and turned the bank on in the scanner's main display.
  • If a frequency does not receive anything after you have programmed it, the frequency number itself is usually wrong, not your entry method.

Creating or selecting a bank for your frequencies

Press the Menu button on the front of the SDS200. The screen will show a list of options. Use the arrow keys to scroll down until you see Banks, then press Select (or the right arrow key, depending on your firmware version).

You will now see a list of banks numbered 1 through 10. Each bank can hold up to 100 frequencies. If you are starting fresh, select Bank 1 and press Select. The screen will show you the contents of that bank — if it is empty, you will see a blank list. If you want to organize frequencies by type (police, fire, weather, for example), you can use different banks for each type, but for a first setup, Bank 1 is the simplest choice.

Once you have selected a bank, press Select again or look for an option that says Add Frequency or New Frequency. The exact wording depends on your SDS200's firmware version, but the action is the same: you are about to enter a new frequency into this bank.

Entering the frequency number and name

The SDS200 will now prompt you to enter a frequency. This is where you type the actual number you want to monitor. For example, if you have found that your local police dispatch uses 460.1250 MHz, you would type 4601250 (without the decimal point — the device adds it automatically). Use the number pad on the device to enter this.

After you enter the frequency number, press Select or Enter. The device will move to the next field, which asks for a name. This is a label you create so you can identify the frequency later. Type something short and clear, like Police Dispatch or Fire Main. You have up to 16 characters, including spaces. Use the arrow keys to move between letters and the number pad to select them — this is slower than typing on a computer, so keep names brief.

Once you have entered the name, press Select again. The device will ask you to confirm the modulation type. This is the format in which the radio signal is broadcast. For almost all local police, fire, and public safety frequencies in North America, select FM (frequency modulation). Other options like AM or NFM exist, but FM is correct for the vast majority of frequencies you will encounter as a beginner.

Saving the frequency and checking your work

After you select the modulation type, the SDS200 will show you a summary screen with the frequency number, name, and modulation all displayed together. Review this carefully — if anything is wrong, look for an Edit option or press a button to go back and correct it. If everything looks correct, press Select or Save to confirm the entry.

The device will return you to the bank list, and you should now see your new frequency listed under Bank 1 (or whichever bank you chose). If you want to add more frequencies, repeat the process: press Select again to add another frequency, or press Menu to exit and return to the main screen.

Do not assume the frequency is now active. The SDS200 requires one more step: you must turn the bank on in the main display. Exit the menu by pressing Menu again. On the main screen, you should see a list of banks with numbers next to them. Look for Bank 1 and check whether it shows an On indicator or a checkmark. If it does not, use the arrow keys to highlight Bank 1 and press Select to toggle it on.

What to do if the frequency does not receive anything

You have programmed the frequency, saved it, and turned the bank on, but you are not hearing anything. The most common cause is that the frequency number itself is incorrect — you may have typed it wrong, or the source you found it from may have been outdated or inaccurate. Double-check the frequency against multiple sources, such as RadioReference.com or a local scanner group's frequency list.

The second most common cause is that the frequency is straightforward not active in your area at that moment. Police and fire frequencies are not always in use — if nothing is happening, the radio is silent. Try monitoring for a few minutes, or check whether the frequency is listed as active in your area on a frequency database.

A third possibility is that the modulation type is wrong. If you selected FM but the frequency actually uses NFM (narrowband FM) or another format, you will hear nothing or only static. Check your source again, or try changing the modulation type to NFM and see if that helps. Most modern public safety frequencies use NFM, so if FM does not work, NFM is worth trying.

If you have verified the frequency number, confirmed it is active in your area, and tried both FM and NFM modulation, the issue is likely not with your programming — it may be a hardware problem or a frequency that requires special equipment to receive.

Programming multiple frequencies efficiently

If you want to add many frequencies at once, the manual process can feel slow. The fastest approach is to enter them in batches: program three to five frequencies, then take a break and verify they are working before you continue. This way, if something goes wrong, you know which batch caused the problem.

As you program each frequency, write down the name and number on paper. This serves as a backup in case you need to reset the device, and it helps you remember what you were trying to monitor. After you have programmed a batch, turn the bank on and listen for a few minutes to confirm at least one frequency is receiving something.

If you find yourself programming the same set of frequencies repeatedly — for example, all the police and fire channels in your county — consider using the SDS200's computer programming software (available from Uniden's website) to upload a pre-built frequency list instead. This is much faster than manual entry, though it requires a computer and a USB cable.

Organizing frequencies across multiple banks

Once you are comfortable with the basic process, you can use different banks to organize frequencies by type or location. For example, you might use Bank 1 for police, Bank 2 for fire, and Bank 3 for weather and emergency management. This makes it easier to turn groups on and off depending on what you want to monitor.

To switch between banks, press Menu, select Banks, and choose the bank you want to work in. The process for adding frequencies is identical in every bank. You can also turn multiple banks on at the same time — the SDS200 will monitor all active banks simultaneously.

Keep in mind that each bank can hold up to 100 frequencies, so you have plenty of space. There is no penalty for using multiple banks, and organizing them makes the device much easier to use over time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I program a frequency that has a decimal point, like 460.1250?

Yes, but you enter it without the decimal. Type 4601250, and the SDS200 will automatically place the decimal point in the correct position. The device knows where decimals belong based on the frequency range you are working in.

What happens if I turn off a bank?

The frequencies in that bank are still saved in the device, but the scanner will not monitor them. Turning a bank off is useful if you want to focus on a specific type of frequency without deleting anything. You can turn it back on anytime by selecting the bank and pressing Select.

Can I edit a frequency after I have saved it?

Yes. Go to Menu, select Banks, choose the bank containing the frequency, highlight the frequency you want to change, and press Select or Edit. You can then modify the frequency number, name, or modulation type. Save your changes the same way you saved the original entry.

How do I know if a frequency is using FM or NFM?

Most frequency databases and scanner group websites list the modulation type next to the frequency. If it is not listed, FM is a safe starting point for local police and fire. If you hear nothing or only static, try NFM instead.

What should I do if I accidentally programmed the wrong frequency?

Highlight the frequency in the bank list, look for a Delete option (usually accessed by pressing a dedicated button or navigating to an Edit menu), and remove it. Then program the correct frequency using the same process. There is no limit to how many times you can add or remove frequencies.