How *Not* To Buy a Bluetooth Radio

Looks like opportunity knocking. Can't beat the markup margins. Warehousing costs should be minimal too....I'd even throw in free shipping!

Jim,

I got a couple of them babies from a dealer in SoCal for a little less than that second listing.
Did it based upon your endorsement. Thanks, they work great!:good:

I am still working on attaching the units more efficiently and with more shielding from the elements. We'll see how that goes. I guarantee that the installation won't hold a candle to the stuff you have put together. It will be a long time before I ever have to get inside another data collector.

I'm not sure if Daylight Saving Time has anything to do with it, but you guys in NoCal seem to have a lot more time available than I do to apply your superior technical skills to tinkering with your equipment. lol

JA, PLS SoCal

> Jim,
>
> I got a couple of them babies from a dealer in SoCal for a little less than that second listing.
> Did it based upon your endorsement. Thanks, they work great!:good:
>
> I am still working on attaching the units more efficiently and with more shielding from the elements. We'll see how that goes. I guarantee that the installation won't hold a candle to the stuff you have put together. It will be a long time before I ever have to get inside another data collector.
>
> I'm not sure if Daylight Saving Time has anything to do with it, but you guys in NoCal seem to have a lot more time available than I do to apply your superior technical skills to tinkering with your equipment. lol
>
> JA, PLS SoCal

Jerry,

Here's a few ideas for you; I just built a repeater for use between my CHC LT30 DC running Carlson SurvCE and the new TOPCON DS-205:

The case came from Box Enclosures, the clamp from Troy Deaton, the Paranis and antennas from SENA and the switch and DB connectors from Radio Shack.

A few notes:

I mounted the Paranis on two sided foam tape for the case of removal or replacement and left enough room to attach power and data cables to reprogram, if needed.

I have the baud rate set at 19,200 between the Paranis as per Jim Frame's recommendation; works perfect.

I lined the clamp and long antenna side (Robot) up with the pole to avoid being hit while mounted.

Less than $300.00 total cost. This unit and the GPS search function in Carlson were my choice in lieu of the RC5 setup (about $3500).

As it turns out, I am getting about 475' of range between the LT30 and the DS-205, so i won't be using these much, but will come in handy in the woods and over longer range.

Matt

Matthew,

That is a fine piece of work.

I assume there are two additional units for that repeater to be of use. So, one of the units in that setup receives a signal from a unit at the instrument and the other unit in the box transmits the signal to the fourth unit at the rod?

Where do you mount that unit during the survey? Why not use another 5" antenna in lieu of the stock shorty? Would that not gain you some distance?

You mention 475 feet between DC and instrument. Is that with the added range of the repeater? What is the range minus the repeater?

I have not tested in heavy brush or an urban canyon, yet, but I have had success at the 800-1000 foot range. Just two units. I love not carrying the weight of the manufacturer's radio and battery all day. For the record, my new, finely tuned manufacturer's system was capable of 2000 foot shots under perfect conditions.

Please excuse my ignorance if I am not understanding your application.

JA, PLS SoCal

> As it turns out, I am getting about 475' of range between the LT30 and the DS-205,

It's interesting that you are getting a much longer range than the specs would suggest - also a bit frustrating because we only seem to find this stuff out after one of us has bought something and tried it!
I wish I knew the true range of other data collectors - For instance, if the Trimble T41 had 475' range I would buy one - if it was only 30', I wouldn't.

>
> I assume there are two additional units for that repeater to be of use. So, one of the units in that setup receives a signal from a unit at the instrument and the other unit in the box transmits the signal to the fourth unit at the rod?

Yes, the DS-205 and the LT30.

>
> Where do you mount that unit during the survey? Why not use another 5" antenna in lieu of the stock shorty? Would that not gain you some distance?

It mounts on the rod; the short, stub antenna connects to the LT30 and the longer, 5dbi antenna to the DS-205.

>
> You mention 475 feet between DC and instrument. Is that with the added range of the repeater? What is the range minus the repeater?

That is the range without the repeater. I have not tested the maximum with the repeater, but I would guess it to be in the 1,000-foot range.
>
> I have not tested in heavy brush or an urban canyon, yet, but I have had success at the 800-1000 foot range. Just two units. I love not carrying the weight of the manufacturer's radio and battery all day. For the record, my new, finely tuned manufacturer's system was capable of 2000 foot shots under perfect conditions.
>
> Please excuse my ignorance if I am not understanding your application.
>
> JA, PLS SoCal

Matt

Very nice build! I admire your attention to detail, and wish I had the patience to bring that much focus to bear on my projects. I always start out with high intentions, and end up making lots of compromises in the interest of progress. I'm a failed perfectionist, I'm afraid.

Thanks Jim,

I spent a fair amount of time looking into pre-made options, reading the many posts here about the Paranis, and locating parts. The actual build was pretty quick. But, if I was surveying for the same amount of time, I could have probably bought the RC-5 with the proceeds. However, February had daytime highs of around 5° on average, so it was a good winter project.

Matt

Matthew,

Again, I really appreciate the technical abilities and attention to detail that you exhibit in the setup that you have. With all due respect, I am still unclear how you are set up with the repeater.

I had a robot radio go down and learned that there was a Bluetooth option to the expensive repair from a dealer.

I purchased a set of SD1000's with optional antennas and batteries. I have replaced the manufacturer radio and battery with these units. One at the gun and one on the rod in remote control mode, each with a 5" antenna. Much lighter and the range is acceptable.

If I were to add a repeater to this system, I assume the intent would be to gain range. I would put the repeater somewhere in-between the rod and the gun. But, you mount the repeater to the rod. Maybe the Alzheimer's is more of an issue than I am willing to admit, but this additional hardware doesn't seem to be adding anything to the mix.

I have seen photos of numerous setups and I will note that Mr. Frame is very humble in his opinion of his own skills in this area. When I saw the pics you posted of your unit, I was attracted to it for the ruggedness, as I am seeking a way to shield the units from the elements.

Matthew, if you have a bit more time, please let this old guy understand your setup.

Thanks,

JA, PLS SoCal

JA,

My data collector (CHC LT30) has Bluetooth V2.1 Class 3 built in. No serial port, just BT and WI-FI.

My robot (DS-205) has Bluetooth Class 1, Ver.2.1+EDR built in. It is speced at 980 feet of range.

Connecting the two together gives me the 475' of range I spoke of, limited by the DC and it's Class 3 spec.

By placing the unit I made in between the two, I can make use of the 980 feet of range speced on the TOPCON.

I have two SD1000s in the box wired together in null modem. The one on the left (stub antenna) connects to the DC and the one on the right (5dbi antenna) connects to the robot.

It sounds like you are doing the same thing with your units.

In theory, a person could set (multiple) repeaters in between the instrument and DC to eternity. Personally, I rarely shoot out past 400 feet, so for most work, I will simply couple the DC directly to the gun (via Bluetooth) and use the repeater in the woods and longer applications.

I have two configurations saved in SurvCE for ease of setup.

I should note that the 475' was achieved in urban conditions. I will see how it works int he woods pretty soon (tomorrow).

Hope this helps,

Matt

I've been following with high interest and I'll take a stab.

I believe the 2 parani box allows removal of an additional cable and, therefore, more incident-proofing for the Bluetooth apparatus (all nice and tucked away in the box) and a little cleaner setup (no cables on the prism pole).

In other words:

DC transmits to parani-1 via Bluetooth. [parani-1 receives DC via Bluetooth and transmits to parani-2 via serial (hardwired serial-to-serial)***.]

[ ] all happens inside the box with no exposed cables

parani-2 transmits to parani-3 (at robot) via Bluetooth. parani-3 transmits to robot via serial to hirose.

*** my question is: what are the serial pin connections to hardwire Tx>Rx and Rx>Tx inside the box? Does that info come with the paranis when purchased?

and, THANKS to all for sharing the info/ pics. and, again, THANKS for the board, in general.

A very good explanation Back Chain! Only chnage is that the Parani is inside the DS, so no cabling there...

The Manual explains it all (in great detail). See page 38 for pinouts...

Matt

Matthew,

That clears it up completely.

Your instrument and DC have their own Bluetooth, hence the repeater to extend the range. Now the shorty antenna makes perfect sense. You only have two Parani units. Beautiful.

See, it isn't Alzheimer's, yet.

I have to deal with a serial cable at each end. The Parani's are still exposed to the elements.

Mr. Filus, thank you for taking the time to straighten me out. I appreciate the information.

Many thanks,

JA, PLS SoCal

No problem JA, happy to share...

This SECO Bag may be a good solution for you. I use one of the on another instrument where I have a parani on the end of a cable...

Matt

Looks like I was trying to answer JA as you were in process...

Thanks for pointing me towards the manual, Mr. Filus. I am trying to cobble together a working robotic system and my budget puts me back in time. If it comes together, I may be parroting your work in an effort to shed actual radios and lighten the load/ cabling.

Hope everyone has a great day. It's feeling like a change in season around here.

Very nice!!

Thank you for this.

Regards.