Hoping someone has some input about using the network in Eastern Washington. Specifically the Spokane to CDA area. Been considering trying it out over the past year.
N.W. Staker, post: 433503, member: 11801 wrote: Hoping someone has some input about using the network in Eastern Washington. Specifically the Spokane to CDA area. Been considering trying it out over the past year.
The WSRN is a state wide network. The management staff are second to none; they are right on top of the bleeding end of this technology. Get in touch with them and they will set you up with a trial period and you can see for yourself.
You will need an account with an internet provider, a modem that connects your controller to the internet, a controller that works with a network and an antennae that receives the current signals.
There's a little more to it than that, but if you've had experience using a base and it worked well for you, this will be a lot faster.
There's a few, here on this message board, that know a lot more about this than I do. But I will let you know, I use it on every job I do and have excellent results. I know when to pull out the robot or pull a tape. I don't think that will be be much of a problem, in the greater Spokane area.
Dougie
RADAR, post: 433504, member: 413 wrote: The WSRN is a state wide network. The management staff are second to none; they are right on top of the bleeding end of this technology. Get in touch with them and they will set you up with a trial period and you can see for yourself.
You will need an account with an internet provider, a modem that connects your controller to the internet, a controller that works with a network and an antennae that receives the current signals.
There's a little more to it than that, but if you've had experience using a base and it worked well for you, this will be a lot faster.
There's a few, here on this message board, that know a lot more about this than I do. But I will let you know, I use it on every job I do and have excellent results. I know when to pull out the robot or pull a tape. I don't think that will be be much of a problem, in the greater Spokane area.
Dougie
Thanks for the info! The trial period sounds even better! I'll be sure to get in contact with WSRN.
So for getting connected I've heard of guys using things like a MiFi. I have Carlson BrX5 units and I know they take a sim card and I believe my TSC3 DC takes a sim card as well. (SurvCe 5.xx) I have a MiFi device as well but I hate baggies or trying to keep things dry that are not made to be in the elements. So the question with my equipment capable of sim cards do I need a MiFi still.
All I've ever used is a base/Rover setup so speeding up things would be great. We've been talking more and more of myself working solo in the field. Also if it works out to have the two man crews switch to this as well.
N.W. Staker, post: 433511, member: 11801 wrote: So the question with my equipment capable of sim cards do I need a MiFi still.
You probably will still need the MiFi, if you plan to go the MiFi route. You probably don't, if you decide to go with a cell phone type service.
On my old gear, I started with a flip phone that blue toothed to my controller. I put it in a Pelican case and never had any problems. I used it in the rain A LOT and never had any problems; for close to a decade.
I currently have my sim card loaded in the controller and use an AT&T account, $17 a month.
I think the MiFi device set up is like $50 a month but it will tether several devices at once; all day, I was told.
If you end up with a MiFi, make sure it has the capability of external antennas for those shady areas. i printed a box for mine https://surveyorconnect.com/community/threads/mobile-hotspot-antennas.323379/ The black "X" works so well, we haven't used the other two antennas
[USER=7899]@Norm Larson[/USER]
You work in the rain too?
Ever have any problems?
Ok all good to know. We have Verizon I'm gonna assume it is only $10 for DC since my tablet is just $10 and now with unlimited data. Also my new smart phone is capable of a Hotspot and wifi through Bluetooth. From what I've been told hotspot through a phone over long periods of time will burn them up. I haven't done it in a long time but with my old Samsung S4 or S5 that thing got really hot running a hot spot.
For that MiFi setup with external antenna seems to much. Feel like I'd be better off setting my base up. The plan is to use the network within coverage but you never know. May find out we need to go that route. Very cool what you did. Now for setting that up down at cabin would be a different story for a signal. Riding to the top of the mountain gets old.
@Dougie Yes we do or we would never get anything done! We have never had an issue, period, with the black X antenna's.
@Staker The other day the chief of parties and I were in my convertible and he would jump out and place the dish over the point and using the BrX5 Bluetooth we sat in the car and collected the points with the printed MiFi box just thrown in the back seat. Easiest surveying I have done.
