Hello, can anyone give me some insight into the pros / cons of the different Trimble Base receivers for use with an R10 rover? I see that most people I've worked for/come across lately are using an R-8 model 3 or 4 with a TDL-450 radio/repeater.
Is there any advantage to that over using a modular solution with a zephyr antenna? If I have an R-10 rover, am I losing anything by not setting up an R-10 base, or by using an R8-3 or 4 or even a Net R3,5,7 etc with a zephyr antenna? Or heck is an R8-2 just as good?
And...perhaps the not-smart end of the steel tape question: what do you all think is the best bang for the buck for a new licensee who needs to setup their own base for 2-3 mile working radius? (No VRS where I'm at and I already have a Trimble DC and the R-10 model 1)
Sure do appreciate your thoughts on this
R8 and tdl work just fine. I use that combo every day. Some guys in my office will use an R10 base for the internal radio. The only advantage is the R10 has a 2w radio vs the 0.5w for the R8. They will topo 1 mile of interstate a day so it works. Past a mile and you need external. I dont waste an R10 at the base because I go several miles in each direction.?ÿ
Pro tip on radio, height means more than power and saves battery. Buy a 30ft radio cable and jack that thing in the air.
R8 and tdl work just fine. I use that combo every day. Some guys in my office will use an R10 base for the internal radio. The only advantage is the R10 has a 2w radio vs the 0.5w for the R8. They will topo 1 mile of interstate a day so it works. Past a mile and you need external. I dont waste an R10 at the base because I go several miles in each direction.?ÿ
Pro tip on radio, height means more than power and saves battery. Buy a 30ft radio cable and jack that thing in the air.
Verily this man knows of what he speaks. Consider well his sage words oh Grasshopper
Thanks for your reply, will definitely elevate the radio!?ÿ As far as tracking satellites at the base, is it all the same??ÿ I mean from having an R-10 rover, which tracks more than the R8-3, do you think that makes any difference at the base??ÿ Will you get better solutions if the base tracks more too??ÿ Always wondered how much was in the base and how much was in the rover...
We have two R10's with both the high power external radio and the internal radios.?ÿ We also have VRS. ?ÿ Expensive system but both the internal radio and the external radio exceed my expectations for range.?ÿ We have gotten 3 miles with the built in radios and 7 miles with the external.?ÿ This is in a very flat area though.
Agree with elevating the radio antenna. Get a whip with an extension and spend the extra minute or two to set it up. Tilt the antenna if you need to.
Before I moved to VRS-land, my preferred method of work was to use the TDL as a repeater so its position is not constrained by the base location. Set up broadcasting base with car battery, then find the best spot for the TDL to cover the the area. Works great for getting up and over hills. Even with an R8 base you have a lot of flexibility for TDL location.
?ÿ