How'd your LS run today?

Nate The Surveyor

Nate The Surveyor

Well-Known Member
Mine would not work at all, this morning. No green buttons, on radio, or satellites. Collect or stake.
Well, I just got a call from another LS user, and he had green, but it would barely run.
He also reported several others had the same trouble he had.
Anyway, I was planning on hitting today's job, in the morning. But, I'd like some idea that it will work good, before I strike out again.

On mine, I updated to today's software, at around 11:00 am. I got a Linux and J-field update. This seemed to fix the problem, via my yard test. But my concern is that it may only run in the wide open, and be like the other LS users have reported... Like somebody had a left a book under the gas pedal!
Thanks for sharing how yours is running.
Nate
 
Clay Davidson

Clay Davidson

Active Member
Well I ran pretty good today. Only 3 issues. My screen today was locked up. Well I would say locked up but an image was over my screen and couldn't see anything else. I could navigate but and image was over my screen. Next was Ghost screen clicks (I don;t now what poltergeist was messing with it but I wish he/she would quite. It just happened for an hour. It didn't happen for about 3 hours after I set up. Next was I got a good location really quick and then It took 1 hr to check it. Not sure if the last one was software update or not.
 
Matt Johnson

Matt Johnson

Well-Known Member
5PLS
Was it just brief periods of ghost clicks? The touchscreen should automatically detect ghost clicks and calibrate itself now.
 
Clay Davidson

Clay Davidson

Active Member
I noticed them when I was about finished with a job and wondered if the screen was getting hotter than normal. I was in the sun as opposed to the woods and it was definatly ghost clicking (i don't believe in ghost).
 
Matt Johnson

Matt Johnson

Well-Known Member
5PLS
Nate The Surveyor said:
To go, or not to go? I'm on 3.0.0.199
Is this the one that others found fault with?
Should I wait?
N
Click to expand...

This version has improvements that should help with the ghost click issue although it does not appear to completely solve it. As I have said many times (*beating the dead horse again*) RTK fixing performance is determined by GNSS firmware and not the OS or J-Field version. The only way J-Field should affect the RTK performance is if there is some change in the way it configures the GNSS board.
 
Matt Johnson

Matt Johnson

Well-Known Member
5PLS
Clay Davidson said:
I noticed them when I was about finished with a job and wondered if the screen was getting hotter than normal. I was in the sun as opposed to the woods and it was definatly ghost clicking (i don't believe in ghost).
Click to expand...

We still need to know more details. Did the ghost clicking stop on its own or did you manually calibrate the touchscreen by holding down the A/V button?
 
Clay Davidson

Clay Davidson

Active Member
I had to hold the a/v button down on 2 to 3 attempts and them it worked better. I worked yesterday and had very few ghost clicks.
 
Nate The Surveyor

Nate The Surveyor

Well-Known Member
Nate reporting in.
I went out, worked hard, got covered with ticks.
My 35 watt radio seems to be running at some low power setting. Maybe 1/2 a watt, or so. After trying many different settings, I changed to the 4 watt radio. And was able to work. This is the second time I've had to send it in. I'm expecting an RMA number early next week. It seems to me that my 35 watt radio is weak, or needs rebuilt with Pac crest parts!
N
 
Matt Johnson

Matt Johnson

Well-Known Member
5PLS
Nate The Surveyor said:
My 35 watt radio seems to be running at some low power setting. Maybe 1/2 a watt, or so. After trying many different settings, I changed to the 4 watt radio. And was able to work. This is the second time I've had to send it in. I'm expecting an RMA number early next week. It seems to me that my 35 watt radio is weak, or needs rebuilt with Pac crest parts!
Click to expand...

The RMA number was issued today. I think the HPT435BT has good durability and usually when users have problems with the radio link, it is because of some other reason besides the radio itself like the battery or antenna. Also be sure to always use ground plane disk if you are using the 5/8 5 dBd gain antenna, otherwise you can overheat and damage the radio transmitter without it. Pac Crest parts are not needed!
 
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Robert C. Stanton L.S.

Robert C. Stanton L.S.

New Member
Hello all, we are experiencing similar issues with the HPT435BT as Nate, the radio signal seems to fluctuate dropping to no signal then back to 100%, similar to someone turning a rheostat for volume on a TV. In a couple of instances the LS was left to collect for 30 minutes, no results due to no radio signal, returned later in the afternoon and re-occupied same points this time collected without issue with 100% radio signal, no changes on any of the equipment just later in the day.

The equipment is new, 6 month's old, batteries charged everyday when in use, using 5/8 5dB gain antenna with ground plane no overheating issues, antenna mounted on 25' mound city fiberglass rod placed nearly plumb inside tripod with post driver as base placed 10-20 feet away from base Triumph 1M reaching out to +/- 2 mile in mixed hardwoods on gently rolling hills. Base is set up in median of expressway ( most open area available ) 20 satellites observed, no interference per Triumph LS, we have two licensed frequencies available for use neither showed interference. Maximum reach from base +/-12000' or a little over 2 miles, elevation of base 2177' and 1980-2220' for project see attached image.

In discussion with an individual who worked with radio and radio frequencies, he stated UHF frequencies do not bend, in other words the signal will not bend over hills unless the signal bounces/reflects from the ionosphere, this could happen at a specific times of day and the suns location. Our situation would require the signal to rise up 60' elevation in 2200' distance then downward in elevation -110' an additional 5500' linear distance, basically no line of site. He suggested a more direct line of sight or possibly increasing power. We are already using 35 watts with a 5dB gain antenna w/ground plane being equivalent to +/- 175 watts output as stated by the radio individual??

Any thoughts?? Is my radio man correct with his suggestions?? Could the radio have an issue??
 

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Matt Johnson

Matt Johnson

Well-Known Member
5PLS
Robert C. Stanton L.S. said:
In discussion with an individual who worked with radio and radio frequencies, he stated UHF frequencies do not bend, in other words the signal will not bend
Click to expand...

Yes, this is the key and this is your problem. The longer the radio wavelength and lower the frequency, the better the radio signal will diffract around the terrain. This is why AM radio has more range than FM radio. In general you want there to be line of sight between the two radios. http://www.heywhatsthat.com/ is a good website to calculate the viewshed of a location to help predict where you should have radio coverage from a given location. A repeater is needed to get around terrain obstructions.

1534868501586.png
 
Darren Clemons

Darren Clemons

Well-Known Member
I did my first topo and trajectories today using the new Linux and wow, what a difference! Obviously there are some bugs being worked though as everyone knew there would be, but the upgrade in the WiFi connections is tremendously better. I’ve probably done about 12-15 topos since gettthe LS and every time it’s been a real pain keeping both my iPad and LS both connected to WiFi each time.

This time, it was basically flawless. Connected em both in instantly and both held through the entire project. Didn’t have to reconnect once. Great improvement!!

There is (of course, always ask for more ;)) something I wish could be added to the screen we see in trajectories.
CB1659F0-7D2D-429D-981F-FAC0810D5E73.jpeg
I usually have my trajectories set to collect every 25’-50’ depending on the amount of variation in elevation on the site I’m at, and generally you can tell by “feel” when it’s about to collect another shot. It would be slightly handy if there was a “distance since last “ number on the screen telling me how far I’ve come from last shot or how far to go until it collects another - just like dist to last does, which I guess can’t/doesn’t work when in trajectories? It’s not critical but occasionally, while driving the ATV, you’ll come toward the end of road, so to speak, be it a fence row or road and wonder, “is it going to take another shot?” You can always tap “snap” to collect one on the spot but I’d just like to be able to keep up with the distances visually.
 
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