Greetings from NC. I passed my test this past October and received my PLS license for NC. I just purchased a used Topcon GTS-304 and a HP 48GX with the TDS Surveying Card. I am having trouble getting the data collector and the instrument to communicate. I changed the device setup in the data collector and when I try to back sight it gives me a message to change the gun to SD mode. I am stuck. Checked the 304 manual and still haven't found a remedy. If anyone can steer me in the right direction it would be greatly appreciated. Hope you all have a prosperous 2016.
TDS wants the instrument to give it the slope distance so it can create a raw data file. TDS will do the math for horizontal distance.
Why did you go so far back in time for equipment? At minimum you want a reflectorless unit and Carlson for field work. do you plan on using AutoCAD 14 also?
BTW, I have used TDS and SMI in 48s with at least 8 different Topcons and never had either complain about SD, so someone may have inadvertently changed your 304 settings.
Paul in PA
1st off, Congratulations.
2nd off, Wow, that's now a vintage DC! (note, there are a few around still running them!)
3rd, What market are you targeting?
Welcome.
Nate
It was the best deal I could find, the 304 had the back pack, charger and two batteries. I do have auto cad 14 and I also have TPC software which works with it as well. NC isn't the best paying state in the nation. I was looking at jobs yesterday and I saw several that wanted field crew workers for under 10 an hour. I would never pay my help that low, but I can't say I haven't been there. I came out with a two year degree at 8 bucks an hour. As they say... beggars can't be choosers. Had to get what I could afford. Have to start somewhere. I have used several older Topcons with the 48 and I have never seen this particular message. The gun is shooting slope distant. I am not sure what to do. Thanks for the input.
For what it is worth, (it's been over 10 yrs since I used a TDS 48) my memory says the TDS "takes over" and does things as it pleases. However, I don't have much experience with it.
But, I am a JAVAD fan.
Nate
Nate, right now I am just looking for some side work. I have a job. Just looking to get some small lot jobs and save some money to get to a larger city in NC where there are more opportunities. I have an allegro as well, just no software yet.
It it works, don't knock it.
I do simple land surveying and may go thru days of having less than a half dozen SS from any hub and the HP48GX with SMI v7 is all I need to gather data to upload into Carlson CES with ACAD R14.
Don't know much about TDS.
The HP48 needs to be in sync with the instrument as to the settings for communication.
My info for the GTS 300 Series Topcon is: 1200, even, 7, 1 communication settings on the instrument
Select the GTS3 instrument on the HPGX and software.
The original GTS3 required its personal cord that will not connect with most instruments that came after.
WNCsurveyor, post: 355656, member: 10828 wrote: Greetings from NC. I passed my test this past October and received my PLS license for NC. I just purchased a used Topcon GTS-304 and a HP 48GX with the TDS Surveying Card. I am having trouble getting the data collector and the instrument to communicate. I changed the device setup in the data collector and when I try to back sight it gives me a message to change the gun to SD mode. I am stuck. Checked the 304 manual and still haven't found a remedy. If anyone can steer me in the right direction it would be greatly appreciated. Hope you all have a prosperous 2016.
Welcome and Congrats, I can't help much with the HP, but I understand the process you are going thru. Start with what's available to you and build your tool bag along the way.
A Harris, post: 355693, member: 81 wrote: It it works, don't knock it.
I do simple land surveying and may go thru days of having less than a half dozen SS from any hub and the HP48GX with SMI v7 is all I need to gather data to upload into Carlson CES with ACAD R14.
Don't know much about TDS.
The HP48 needs to be in sync with the instrument as to the settings for communication.
My info for the GTS 300 Series Topcon is: 1200, even, 7, 1 communication settings on the instrument
Select the GTS3 instrument on the HPGX and software.The original GTS3 required its personal cord that will not connect with most instruments that came after.
Thank you. I appreciate the help.
DC's? DC's We don't need no stinkin' DC's.
For simple jobs there is absolutely no need for data collectors. Pen and paper, a calculator and a brain is more than adequate.
I started out borrowing a hobbyist style metal detector from my neighbor for about the first six months. It worked fine for what I was attempting to do.
Make some money first. Then improve your gear.
I am in Cleveland County, If your ever in the area stop by I have some older stuff that I dont use anymore that might work for you.
Congratulations and welcome to your new "home". B-)
Adam, post: 355716, member: 8900 wrote: I am in Cleveland County, If your ever in the area stop by I have some older stuff that I dont use anymore that might work for you.
Adam,
I work in your area quite often, in fact I have a project on N Post Road in Shelby now not to far from the DOT office and also have a project in Cherokee, NC, so I am sure I work near WNC also.
Ed
NCPLS
ekillo, post: 355726, member: 773 wrote: Adam,
I work in your area quite often, in fact I have a project on N Post Road in Shelby now not to far from the DOT office and also have a project in Cherokee, NC, so I am sure I work near WNC also.
Ed
NCPLS
I am North of Shelby in Belwood. Stop by and sit a spell!;-)
Congratulations on the license. (sorry I can't help with the machine or the card)
You've probably done this, but make sure your employer knows about your side jobs and is good with it. Hate to see someone have to give up their day jobs before their side jobs take off.
As I sit, and look at the pile, of who, and what I am, and then think about a new registrant, and the tools we have to offer, and the duties we fulfill, and the various pieces of advice I have collected through the years...
Here goes:
I got this advice, from Doug Robbins. He was a County Surveyor, in Montgomery Co. AR
Do your job. Do your research, do your field work, draw up your conclusions. And NEVER change your opinion. The idea was, that it is "your opinion at that point in time".
If you ever have to defend your opinion, you may be defending a position you no longer hold, if you don't do your work thoroughly enough. That's surveying.
-------------
I got this advice from T C:
"When you are a surveyor, you draw from everything you know, and have learned.
To broaden this knowledge base, it would be good to have worked for at least 3 different surveyors, before you get your license." He went on to explain that he "learned how to chain with tape and plumb bob, from your dad".
He went on to explain that he also worked for another surveyor, who "worked out of a suburban, and carried 3 different sizes of chain saws, and always bought the latest total stations, and edm's." he went on to explain that this broadened his business acumen.
The point being, that we all stand on the shoulders, of those who have gone before us, and left us written records, plats, deeds, rebars, pk nails, and other monuments.
And, to be sure that we avail ourselves of the latest technological devices, and inventions, and their application. It will make better surveyors out of us.
My advice is:
If a new piece of equipment will "make its payments" then buy it. It'll make you money, in the long run.
Learn all you can... Can all you learn.
Being a surveyor, means a life of learning.
I hope I have provided you something interesting to read.
Nate
WNCsurveyor, post: 355656, member: 10828 wrote: Greetings from NC. I passed my test this past October and received my PLS license for NC. I just purchased a used Topcon GTS-304 and a HP 48GX with the TDS Surveying Card. I am having trouble getting the data collector and the instrument to communicate. I changed the device setup in the data collector and when I try to back sight it gives me a message to change the gun to SD mode. I am stuck. Checked the 304 manual and still haven't found a remedy. If anyone can steer me in the right direction it would be greatly appreciated. Hope you all have a prosperous 2016.
It's been a long time, but I seem room recall a fix...
As has been said, the 304 will walk through the display of various display settings. Some old cards want that to match the DC storage format. If I can WD40 my brain with a bit more coffee I'll try to find my DC settings book to get specific.
As for buying old, use what works. Reliability sounds more important than productivity for now. It makes no sense to buy a 30k robot to do 3k of side jobs. It sounds to me like you figured that out on your own.
With regard to side work, use caution. Many states require written authority from your employer to moonlight. They also require a COA to offer professional services. The last thing you want is that first big scratch on that shiny new license...
Best of luck, Tom
I appreciate all the congratulations and advice. Good to feel welcomed to the group. I made sure to tell the guys I work for that I got some equipment. One even helped me this morning try and get my equipment communicating, and we have decided its an issue with the instrument as we tried other working DC's. The only side jobs I plan on doing are ones that are further than our outfit is willing to travel. He and another buddy bought two existing companies, and when the time is right I hope to join them with a third office further up in the mountains. Again, thanks for the help. Still coming up empty with the DC and gun. Keeping my chin up though.
Adam, post: 355716, member: 8900 wrote: I am in Cleveland County, If your ever in the area stop by I have some older stuff that I dont use anymore that might work for you.
Awesome. I am just right up the road from you in Burke County. I may take you up on that offer.
WNCsurveyor, post: 355775, member: 10828 wrote: Awesome. I am just right up the road from you in Burke County. I may take you up on that offer.
I worked for West Consultants out of Morganton for a long time.
