RTN via cell service

MainePLS

New Member
I think this topic has been at least partially covered in other threads. The Triumph LS can take a SIM card which is a GSM technology (like I really understand the different systems). In my area, the best coverage is by US Cellular with Verizon a distant second. They are both CDMA technology. AT&T which is the SIM card I have is present, but I rarely see 3g connectivity. What can I use to access our DOT's single vector system? Is a mobile WiFi hotspot the answer? If so, are any models none to play well with our systems?
 

Shawn Billings

Shawn Billings
5PLS
I would say that a mobile hotspot would be the way to go. I use my smartphone from time to time with Verizon. Works very well.
 

Kelly Bellis

ME PLS 2099
5PLS
Shawn, just curious; are you able to discern if your WiFi-hotspot RTK is more, less or comparable to your SIM RTK's robustness?

Also (anybody), how/where do 3rd boosters and amplifiers factor into such considerations?
 

Shawn Billings

Shawn Billings
5PLS
I used both my cell phone and SIM yesterday, Kelly. I had no place to put my cell phone, so it stayed in my back pocket. I noticed when we got in the truck once that the LS lost corrections because the cell phone lost signal. (By the way, I have to say I really like being able to fold the monopod up and put it in the truck with me). I took the phone out of my pocket in the truck and the LS regained corrections. That was the only time I noticed the cell phone not working as well as the SIM. I don't know if there is much difference between them in real usage though. The only thing I noticed was that my phone battery depleted rather quickly. It went from 80% to 20% in about four hours of steady hot spot use. I switched to SIM then.
 

Jim Campi

Active Member
Shawn, just curious; are you able to discern if your WiFi-hotspot RTK is more, less or comparable to your SIM RTK's robustness?

Also (anybody), how/where do 3rd boosters and amplifiers factor into such considerations?

Hi Kelly,

Several years ago I spoke to a vendor that supplies cellular amplifier systems to those that have poor coverage in rural areas. I asked about using this technology specifically for surveying. Apparently this can damage the cellular site electronics if a feedback loop occurs. He described the effect as something like placing a microphone adjacent to a speaker. To avoid this, the antenna would be placed in such a way that it wouldn't be useful to us on a remote site. For example, the antenna placed in a vehicle would avoid the feedback but not provide the range we need.
 

Monte King

Member
I am currently checking into the RTK bridges that take the RTN corrections(using SIM card for cell connection) and route them through an external radio(for me 35 watt ADL). This would be useful in areas of low cell signal, could also use repeaters to push the radio into tough areas(draws and such). The Javad Jlink is the one I am considering. For the mobile hotspot, my experience has been with my cell phone as a hotspot and it works great except as Shawn mentioned the battery life isn't much with the phone. I have heard good things about the "jetpack" from verizon as a mobile hotspot, better battery life is the main thing.
 
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