HPT401BT vs. HPT104BT

[Dale Adamson]

I will be sending the TRIUMPH-LS back soon for the new improved screen. I have been using the 1 watt modem and was wondering if the 4 watt would be better. Does the 4 watt come with the battery and cable and how long is the cable?

Thanks
Dale Adamson

 

[Kelly Bellis]

Hi Dale,

You're subject title for this thread is a little confusing since as far as I'm aware of, there is no HPT104BT.

The HPT404BT has a different power source than the integral battery featured with the HPT401BT. The little external 12v battery (about 5 lbs.) has its own attached cable [14-578121-01 Rev 2] that's about 4.5', and then there are the (2) separate cables [14-578102-01 Rev 2] which are both about 6', so in total, and should you need them all strung together, you'd have about 16.5'.

Here's the assembly while charging, noting that the (2) separate cables [14-578102-01 Rev 2] aren't shown:

Regardless of what you decide on, when you place your order through the online ordering process, you will be given a very detailed and complete listing of the various pieces and bits that comprise your order. You will also be presented with the opportunity to have a staff sales member contact you ahead of any sale so any detailed questions can be answered. The online ordering process works really well and I'd encourage you to explore it.

By the way, the HPT435BT is another option worth considering; i.e., Performance vs. Cost vs. The Lug Factor. I've just ordered the HPT435BT (and associated peripherals) having had the HPT404BT since May. And with it, I am sure of two things, 1) lugging the battery up the mountain will never be my favorite thing and 2) UHF coverage will never be better Had I known just starting out what I know today, I probably would have invested in the 35w radio to start with; however, the 4w radio will become no less valuable as I'm hoping to configure the 2-radio RTK system as a repeater, something I understand to be achievable with Javad radios

Please mention my name (or any of the other 5PLS Support Team members that you like) at the time of your order should you have found this information helpful. While it won't affect your final price, it will help a little to underwrite the support that we provide as part of the 5PLS program. The 5PLS Support Team members are not employees of Javad GNSSS, Inc.

Here's the HPT404BT on my homegrown field bracket. The other photo is of the HPT404BT atop a 4-meter mast. At this height, the mast really should have been guyed but this wasn't actually used for anything other than proof of concept in our own driveway.

 

[Dale Adamson]

Thanks for your reply. I am not ordering the 4 watt I was aware that I had the option to change the 1 watt for the 4 watt if I purchased the demo unit, what I need to know is does this option include the battery.

Thanks
Dale

 

[Kelly Bellis]

Ahh, a trade

None of us 5PLS guys are who you want to ask that question to, but rather Mr. Glutting. He's the staff sales member that can answer that question and any other questions like it.

Michael Glutting
JAVAD GNSS, Inc. |Director, Sales & Business Development
M 408.375.9135 | F 408.884.2307 | E michael@javad.com

 

[Matt Johnson]

lugging the battery up the mountain will never be my favorite thing

If you purchase the battery kit for the HPT435BT it comes with a very nice battery case that makes the battery easy to carry. Also you could still continue to use the smaller battery for the HPT404BT during times when you only need to broadcast at 4 watts or less.

 

[Kelly Bellis]

If you purchase the battery kit for the HPT435BT it comes with a very nice battery case that makes the battery easy to carry. Also you could still continue to use the smaller battery for the HPT404BT during times when you only need to broadcast at 4 watts or less.

Yes, I bought that too, but I didn't realize that the 40 lbs would be lessened!

 

[Bob Farley]

Good Afternoon,
I just got my system back with the HPT435BT upgrade. I spent 2 hours of trial and error to get it setup, but can only get about 1000ft from the base. The terrain here in North Mississippi is rolling hills with mixed tree cover.
I didn't see any discussion about this anywhere else. Any ideas?
Thanks
Bob Farley

 

[Matt Johnson]

Have you tried connecting it to ModemVU to verify the Output power? When using ModemVU, depending upon your computer, it may be necessary to run it as an administrator by right clicking on its icon and choosing "Run as administrator".

 

[Bob Farley]

No, but will give it a try and report back shortly
Thanks

 

[Bob Farley]

Matt,
Hooked up the modemvu and it showed the output at 35 watts. It did allow for me to enter my call sign directly into the radio as it is not showing up from the base setup. However, still only a 1000' range. Have I missed some setting that I need to change in the Triumph LS maybe?
Thanks

 

[Matt Johnson]

Take a look at the UHF status screen by clicking the RX icon at the top of the home screen. What do you see for RSSI strengths at various distances? Does the "UHF State" say "ready, none". Here is what I have when broadcasting at .4 watts and a few feet from the radio:

Also you could try doing a frequency scan of the channel you are using to make sure that their isn't interference on it.

 

[Bob Farley]

O.K.
The radio status screen is similar to yours shown. Out to 657' RSSI Good (-71dBm) 1 sec delay. at 1964' RSSI Low (-104 dBm) 2 sec delay, at 3440' RSSI Very low (-116 dBm) 5 sec delay. I did screen shots of these if they would help. I am mostly in the middle of nowhere, so there is minimal interference on any of the frequencies after the scan. One other note is that antenna that came with my 35 watt radio had instructions for how to mount it on your vehicle, and a suggested whip length of 15 1/2 " to 15 1/4" for this frequency band. The observed length of the whip is barely 13". Also, the antenna is mounted on 3 - 4 ft poles for a total approximate height of 12' and is 35' from the T2.
Thanks
Bob

 

[Matt Johnson]

What is the terrain like where you are at? If there is a hill between the radio and the rover you will lose the signal. Radio waves do not travel through hills. You would either need to have the radio located on the top of the hill or have a repeater on the top of the hill.

For the whip antenna length, look at the chart for the A1845-50 model which is what you should have. It specifies a length of 10-12".

 

[Donald E Robinson]

Bob,
During your setup, when you send the information to your base unit there is a dialog for selecting your radio and setting the UHF power. I have the HPT 404BT so I select 4,000(36) for 4 watts.

Don

 

[Bob Farley]

Matt,
terrain is the exact same location that I tested out when I first go my LS last summer (in front of our office) the 1 watt radio had 2300' range there with leaves on the trees.

Don,
My output is set at 35000(45) and the radio series set correctly. I read your problems with your new Triumph LS a moment ago. Mine was returned to me after the screen replacement Friday afternoon. I had the same problem that you did with the stand alone solutions, and kept sending the setup between the units. After about 1.5 hours, mine started giving fixed solutions. There was not a notable change to say why it started working. That was when I ran into the radio problem. I am going to use mine on another job Monday where I have used it before. This will give me a different result for the radio range issue.

Thanks for all the help
Bob

 

[Matt Johnson]

Check to see at what distance the RSSI reads -10 dBm. I will check this with my 35 watt radio tomorrow too.

Also in the LS check to make sure it is set to the internal antenna, click the Configuration button in the UHF screen and confirm Internal is checked. You could also then try unchecking it and attaching the external antenna.

 

[Donald E Robinson]

I am able to get the LS to FIX now, but my RSSI reads -84 dBm "Good" 66' away. -140 dBm, 150' away. I am and have it set to use the external antenna which previously gave me Excellent readings.
Also I forced a Power Board update, but my batteries are still draining when idle and it take way too long (8+hrs) to charge.

 

[Matt Johnson]

The next update of the Power Board should fix the issue with the batteries being discharged when the LS is off. Have you tried scanning the frequency you are broadcasting on to make sure there isn't any interference on it? Also have you tried connecting the radio to ModemVU to verify the output power?

 

[Shawn Billings]

Try using the internal antenna. I believe I read that there was a bug related to internal and external antenna. You should be able to get good range from the internal antenna.

 

[Donald E Robinson]

Matt, I did scan all of the frequencies and they were all around -140 dBm.