Hi All,
I'm sure there must be a way to change this in SurvCE but I can't find it anywhere.
I'm using SurvCE v2.54 and have a telescopic ranging pole with a 5/8in screw mount on top. I use the pole with a Sokkia GPS Reciever, Sokkia Total Station and Leica Total Station.
The problem is that the measurements marked on the pole give the distance from the tip of the pole to the base of the 5/8in screw meaning that I have to add an additional offset to what is reported on the pole to get the true reflector/phase centre height.
Is there anyway to automate this process? For example when using GPS can SurvCE automatically add 96mm to the height of pole?
Thanks in advance!
Get A Different Pole
Most poles are set up to give a height to the center of target and have an adjustable threaded connection on top to allow that.
Also most antennas have the base of the 5/8 threads as the ARP.
Explain your setup again.
Paul in PA
Get A Different Pole
I have three of these:
http://www.surveying.com/products/details.asp?prodID=5507-5527QC
I have three 35mm adapters which work with a SECO 115mm high prism/target assembly. You screw the adapter into the top of the pole. You can get one for your 96mm high target assembly. Here is the list of adapters:
http://www.surveying.com/products/details.asp?prodID=2090-Series
I also have three 150mm adapters which are for GPS antennas.
The point of the adapters is that the pole graduations are accurate with the correct adapter.
Although the base of the pre-amp (bottom of threaded “nut”) is the ARP (Antenna Reference Point) on a GPS Antenna, that is NOT necessarily what “SOME” software “wants (or needs) to know.” Some “older” RTK software (and maybe even some of the newer stuff) will NOT handle Different Antenna Models on the Base and Rover unless you use the L1 Phase Center “HI” in BOTH cases. My old Carlson SurvStar is that way! So long as I use 502s on BOTH ends, it isn't a problem. But when I use a 503 at the base, and a 502 at the Rover, then it DOES.
NOV502 = 60.0mm
NOV503 = 86.5mm
NOV503 = 87.1mm wRadome
so:
502 & 502 w/ 2 meter rods = 2.00m at both ends WORKS
503 & 502 w/ 2 meter rods = 2.0865 @ base & 2.060 @ Rover WORKS.
Back when I went Solo in 1985 I bought a telescoping rod to use with my Total Station. I cut the bottom of it off (a tenth or so) and reinstalled the tip so that the “readings” were to the axis of my tilting Single Prisms. Obviously that rod no longer “reads” to the ARP, but I don't use it for GPS anyway. It also DOESN'T work with my mini-prisms (oh well).
It's these kinds of [potential] Software issues that drive folks nuts (and are a plague on the profession). I have found that the “default” setting on MOST Software are often wrong, worthless, ambiguous, and/or downright confusing. Unless (and until) YOU run some TESTS, you don't really KNOW what the Software is (and/or isn't) DOING. Most modern Software is capable of being PROPERLY configured and “setup” to do things RIGHT, but that is something that [USUALLY] falls in the lap of the end-user (where the RESPONSIBILITY is anyway).
Sorry for the “rant,” this is a real sore spot for me, and the reason that I use as LITTLE “canned” Software as possible.
Loyal
Get A Different Pole
Thanks for the replies,
Dave, the system you have looks like a winner, the interchangable tops seem like a good idea, personally I would tend to steer away from the adjustable threaded connection variety though, I've had experience with them in the past and find them hard to trust.
Before using SurvCE the only integrated surveying package I had used was Trimble based so thats all I have to compare to. The pole I have is of a similar design to the one I used with the Trimble gear except that the graduations on the Trimble pole were designed so that they would report the correct measurement to the centre of a Trimble 360 Prism. If you wanted to use the pole for GPS work you just had to fit a short extension that would bring the phase centre of the Antenna up to the same height as the centre of a 360 prism.
Alternatively the Trimble Survey Controller software also allowed you to specify which part of the antenna you were measuring to, Base, Bumper and Phase Centre or to input a custom offset. Admitedly it is a little easier for Trimble because they only have to design something to work with their own equipment but i thought SurvCE may have at least given then option to enter a custom offset?
Get A Different Pole
I am not a big fan of adjustable poles either.
I cut a piece of 1/2" PVC pipe for the one I have like that to that I have a spacer in there so it stays in adjustment.
