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GPS RTK FIX Problems anyone?
I have a Sokkia GRX-1 with recent firmware and radio updates and a Ranger 3 running Survey Pro version 5.8.1. I a have been having trouble ever since the GPS rollover getting and keeping a fix on my points from the satellites. I use an RTK network rover on the Mississippi GCGC network to start with to get my first good SPCS point, then switch to base and rover to do my survey. I usually do not have many problems with getting this one point. However, when I shut my system down entirely and start over with the base and rover, I seem to have trouble getting enough satellites to get and keep a fix. At first, and during morning times, I am tracking up to 12 to 14 satellites after I let the system set for about 10 minutes to gather all the information the system needs in order to start collecting data. However, the number of satellites tracked steadily drops down to about 6 or 8 “green” satellites with 2 or 3 “yellow” satellites for a more difficult time getting a fix on a point. It is taking longer than usual to do my work because of the fewer satellites giving me a good fix. It usually takes a minimum of 9 to get a fix, but 10 or more works much better. It is taking longer to do my work, and as the day wears on it gets worse. Sometimes after 11 pm and on through the afternoon, I don’t get but 6 or 8 satellites with some of them “yellow,” and I stay in autonomous or float mode pretty much the rest of the day.
Is anyone else having trouble getting a good GPS RTK fix on points in the afternoons? A call to the dealer help line indicated many problems from a lot of people having trouble and difficulties in getting their $urvey gear to work efficiently or at all. I work with a guy who has a Topcon Hiper-V system who has the same problems. I have tried shutting the system down completely and starting up again, and re-booting my Ranger to see if that would help. It does, somewhat, but it either does work for a little bit or not at all. Does anyone have any suggestions?
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7 Replies
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I think This might help. Its a known problem as of late, and it isnt just Sokkia / topcon There simply has been bad coverage in the last 8 or so weeks with GPS satellites in certain areas.
http://gnssmissionplanning.com
You can try lowering your elevation mask, if it is set to 13, to 10. Other then that, we have a thread here:
https://surveyorconnect.com/community/gnss-geodesy/satellite-availability/
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We have a very similar problem with Topcon HiperII. Our system was 8 years old so I was never sure if it was the rollover or a glitch in the system. We ended up buying a new system but the old is still working most of the time.
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My friend just upgraded his firmware on his Hiper-V system, and it seems to be working better. We are going to take both systems out Friday 7/25/19 and test to see how they work and compare. His system usually works better than my older system. I appreciate the input and the mission planning link. Thanks!
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I’ve had the same problem, only with a Spectra SP-80 and the Ranger 3 with Survey Pro. I used to be able to get in some heavy canopy with it, best GPS unit I’ve ever used for that. Now, if it even sees the shadow of a tree, I lose fix. Brand new too, less than 6 months old, and it acts like it’s stepped back in time about a decade or so, and I have tons of satellites. Usually tracking between 26-29, and using 9-13 on avg. I don’t get it. And I’ll lose fix out in the wide open for no reason, getting very aggravating.
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My Trimble R10 running on the Utah VRS was kind of sucky today (afternoon MDT). Took longer to fix, wouldn’t work down to the normal precision I usually see. Seemed to have enough SV’s.
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And just in case you don’t use the NOTAMs when mission planning, I’ve attached an article i just gleaned from the net for informational reference.
The military and FAA conduct these exercises all the time, with minimal warning(NOTAMs) and at random and also planned intervals and projected timesbased upon need.
I had all sorts of fun mission planning our orthophoto and LiDAR overflights when the 100k IMUs would just spit out crap because none of the pilots or aerial imagery techs had thought to check the NOTAMs…..that fell to me under” all other duties as assigned or assumed…..”
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We had this happen at the firm I used to work at, the problem is the data collector. Sokkia and trimble don’t play well together. We ended up having to switch over to magnet to make it all work.
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