New J-Field Base Rover Set Up Screen

[Jim Campi]

I have a few questions regarding the new screen.

1. What happens when I select send? Does it send the current set-up?

2. If if tap "set base coordinate", then the "select coordinates for the base" screen appears. If I make a change on this screen am I then required to tap "send to base" on this screen?

I made the mistake yesterday of hitting escape after making these changes and then tapping send on the base rover set up screen and it loos like it sent the rover set up to the base.

 

[Shawn Billings]

There is a new version due out very soon for public release. It is more clear on what you need to do, but basically there are four steps to base rover setup: Connect (uses Bluetooth to connect the LS to the Base receiver); Set base coordinate (which you need to Send to Base); From Base/To Base (sends current rover communications to Base or Reads current communications from base to set rover); and Start Base (base sends communications settings to modem and begins transmission of corrections).

If communications settings are not changed, then you can simply Connect, pick the new base position, Send to Base that position and Start Base. If the base coordinate is already appropriately set, but communications need to be changed (maybe you're getting interference at a particularly frequency), you can Connect, change communication settings (leave the coordinates alone), select To Base, and the Start Base.

If you have several rovers working off of the same base, the From base will be pretty helpful. Set the base with Rover "A", then when all is running, connect Rover "B" to base and select From Base. Rover B will acquire the settings from the base. You could then do this with Rover "C", "D", "E", and so on.

 

[Matt Johnson]

Shawn, I believe that the version of J-Field you describe has been released to everyone since Wednesday.

 

[Jim Campi]

I just upgraded. Thanks gentlemen.

 

[Matt Johnson]

In J-Field Version 1.10.3.17387 there is a bug that can send the wrong broadcast reference frame to the base if the antenna height is set after setting the base coordinate. Always set the antenna height first in this version and then set the coordinate. A update fixing this issue should be released soon.

 

[Matthew D. Sibole]

It took a while and a call to John Evers to get me up and running this morning. It would not let me enter my HI or tell it which point I was setting my base on. If John had not told me to hit "Stop Base" I never would have gotten it. Once stop base has been tapped, it will then allow you to tap on the icon to enter your HI and you can also tap on the icon to assign your base point.

 

[Matt Johnson]

J-Field V 1.10.3.17463 has been released and fixes the coordinate system bug with the antenna height button in Base/Rover Setup. Everyone should update.

 

[Jim Frame]

I tried out the new base setup today,and it's definitely an improvement over the old one. The process is necessarily complex, so I relied heavily on the manual pages (110-123).

I have a note, a question, and something extraneous.

The note: at the top of page 112, the bottom of the first paragraph says "tap Collect." I believe this should be "tap Connect."

The question: Once done with the survey, what's the best procedure for shutdown? I didn't see anything in the manual pages I have about it. Should I go back to the setup screen (is that possible?) and press Stop Base? Is there any disadvantage to just powering down everything?

Finally, something extraneous, just to make John Evers roll his eyes: some photos of my base setup with security measures in place:

Overall view:

Radio locked to the top of the mast, front view:

Radio, rear view:

Radio mast (an 8' length of 3/4" black pipe with some simple welded brackets) tripod holder:

Radio mast bottom lock bracket:

Finally, the fixed-height tripod lock:

 

[Matt Johnson]

Hi Jim, there is no need to stopping the base when you are done. You can just power everything off. If you come back the next day, you can set up on my the same point and just power the base and radio on and you are ready to go (assuming you haven't sent a new position to the base since then). The base will transmit the same position as it was transmitting before it was shut off.

 

[Jim Campi]

Hi Jim,

It looks like you are working at UCD. This is an environment with relatively flat topography and small urban development (for those not familiar with the area).

What range are you getting with the radio (it appears to be the 1W UHF radio)?

 

[Jim Frame]

I haven't tested range yet. The furthest I went yesterday was about 800 feet, though with lots of buildings in the way.

 

[Jim Campi]

Thanks Jim,

I made an attempt to reach Liberty Island Road in Dixon from known DWR point at the intersection of Midway and Levee Road in unincorporated Dixon (about 10,000 ft) with the same antenna on the radio and external LS antenna. No dice. I haven't had a chance to try the other antenna on the external radio...