I should mention that I ran the internal 1 watt radio, all day. Here's what happened:
T3 came late Monday via fed ex. I worked on it till I was frustrated, to get it paired to my 35 watt radio. (Via Bluetooth). Tuesday, I drove to hot springs, borrowed a USB-dB 15 pin cable from SB.
I then tried hard, to get it going, while in hot springs at the smoking pig. (Good barbq) No success. I shut it all down, and came home. Tried again. It all went well. (I think it just needed to be shut down, and re-started). Wednesday, I worked 1/2 a day. I did not charge it. Thursday, I worked all day, but only with the internal 1 watt radio. It had a low batt after all day.
Here are my questions:
1.) Is there a way to hook up the LS via Bluetooth, to the T3, and look at the battery levels, on a graph, like the internal battery in the LS?
2.) How waterproof is the T-3?
I'm notorious for wet adventures. It's NOT my fault. I just want to get done. Arkansas is known for hot humid days, and thundershowers popping up at odd times, when you are miles from the base, (maybe only a mile straight line, but 5 miles via road through gates, and the road systems) what about those antennas? How waterproof are those connections? I just know I'm going to need something to help me here.
3.) Can we put external power to the T-3, while its set up in the field, so it can handle long days, or if some idiot fails to charge it (me!) Will those wires mind getting wet?
4.) I'm trying to come up with a good and proper roof for it. I had all this worked out, (in my head) then I set up the T-3, with its antennas. I had not accounted for those antennas. It's grows in size, with antennas connected, and maybe external power connected.
5.) What about increased heat, in the external radio, due to longer duty cycles? Ie, 35 watts, hot sun, and all that energy?
I'm quite concerned about this. I'm working for now on a solution. My thoughts are a pvc tube, with a small fan, and a design to keep it dry.
Look, I have a great wife, 12 kids, 4 have left the nest, and more work than I can say Grace over. Equipment failures are devastating!
Being a responsible surveyor includes knowing these answers.
Thank you, and happy Friday to all.
Nate