I was given a pair of these receivers from a pal and only had to replace the internal and external batteries. I have brushed over the manuals and have tested each by doing a short 30 minute session or so and they performed great. I also was able to download the files with HOSE on an older XP sp3 system with a serial port(its now dead). Recently I did a 3hr our so session to make sure they are in order before I start using them. I tried downloading the file on an old XP laptop with a USB to Serial converter. I was only able to get to 33.4% and it just stopped receiving. I tried several times and even slowed the baud rate to 9600 and was able to get to 40% or something like that. Then, the receiver went to a blank white screen with a line through it and a solid beep (like your heart makes on an EKG after eating a double double). After trying several times I plugged in a new battery and the receiver acted normal again but I can only download to 33.4%. I will try it on a pc with a dedicated serial (if I can find one) but until then I thought I would throw this out to you experts to see if you may have some light to shed one of my many issues. Could it be the converter or can this happen by a corrupt file? Again, I do not have much experience with these.
I appreciate your feedback.
Thanks!
> I will try it on a pc with a dedicated serial (if I can find one)
I can't help with the Z-12 side (sold my Z-12 a few years back), but it's worth noting that adding a serial port to a desktop PC is easy and cheap. All you need is a free slot and about 15 bucks for a serial port card. No need to mess with the glitchiness of USB-serial converters.
My best trick is to use a laptop with the Z-12. Pull the memory card out of the receiver, and mount it into the PCMCIA slot of any old school laptop.
The download is almost instantaneous, and you don't need to worry about using external power on the receiver.
Don't format the card in windows, though. This trick is only useful as long as you can find an old laptop with these slots, they are disappearing fast.
Craig
Oops, that is, if the Z-12 is like my "Z-Surveyor". I'm sorry, I posted too quick, and didn't see that you were talking a different receiver. I hope the Z-12 has a card that is removable.
I have an old pc that sitting in the garage that has a serial. It's running Vista. I have several old laptops but none have a serial. I don't think the z-12 have a removable anything. Not without serious surgery but I could be wrong. I'm hoping I'll try another beater pc and find its the usb converter but ya never know.
Thanks for the feedback guys!
The screen fading may be the Z-12 overheating, cool it.
More likely it is the battery fading, the Z-12 uses it's dieing breath to cry, "Help Me, Help Me!"
I use jump start batteries which have more oomph. Better yet look for an AC/DC adaptor. The AC/DC adaptor puts out 24 volts. The Z-12 was designed to operate in aircraft which typically have higher voltage systems.
As to downloading, use Ashtech Solutions or GNSS Solutions.
When you download the software also download the Manual.
From time to time you want to clear and test the Z-12 Memory.
With the receiver off push and hold the Right Arrow button, turn the unit on and keep pushing the button until it asks, "Test External Ram" Yes or No, push button 1 or 8. It will clear and test the ram. Depending on how much memory you have, this can take a while.
Again with the receiver off push and hold the Up Arrow button, turn the unit on and keep pushing the button until it asks, "Test Internal Ram" Yes or No, push button 1 or 8. It will clear and test the ram. Then redo your receiver settings.
I have always used a direct COM cable.
Paul in PA
Paul, somehow I knew you would have some insight. Thank you all for the intel. I have some pretty beefy 12v 10.5 Amp.Hr batteries but they have sat a bit and I have used them here and there. I am glad to say I was able to get the file off the reciever with a dedicated serial. I had a feeling it was the USB converter and this stuff is picky. I enjoy using them from some reason. We have Trimble R8's and other high end receivers but there is something about flicking a switch and hearing a beep that takes me back to my days on a Commodore 64 and 5.25" drive. Its a recipe for awesome.
Do you need a key or anything for the GNSS Solutions or is it free to use?
Thanks again.
Free To Use In L1 Mode
For Ashtech Soltutions you need an LPT1 hardware dongle, occassionally available on ebay.
For GNSS Solutions you need to buy a USB dongle. I purchased GNSS Solutions years ago with a software key, but I don't believe it is available that way anymore.
You do not need L2 enabled to have either convert an L1/L2 Rinex file.
There is a new RINEX converter available as of today, but I have not yet downloaded it.
Paul in PA
No Dongle Required for RINEX Conversion
The latest version of GNSS Solutions does not require a Dongle to download or convert to RINEX. I think it will even process L1 data without a key. I use my old Z12 from time to time, and lately we have been using them a lot. If the screen is faded, press the up or down arrow key to adjust the contrast. They seem to be temperature sensative. If the last time you used them it was hot, and you take them out on a cold day, it takes a lot of adjusting, and you just have to keep pressing the button until you get a bright screen. If it does not brighten up when you push the up arrow, use the down arrow. Sometimes it takes 5 or more minutes to get the contrast adjusted. I always take them out and check them out before we put them in service.
I have been downloading them with a Windows 7 64 bit laptop with a USB to serial adaptor. Our IT people found us one that works with Windows 7. We have noticed that we can only download one file at a time though. We select the first file, download it then reset and get the next file. We are doing LONG static sessions so it is never more than 2 files per day.
Free To Use In L1 Mode
Yes, I have the Rinex converters and I use Trimble Buisness Center which has been pretty easy to use so far. It would be nice to find some free baseline processing software that doesnt require a PhD to understand or operate.
Thanks again Gents.
B
Free Post-Processing SW, Really?
You guys continue to make me LMAO, Free Post-Processing SW, really??
Do you guys give away your Professional Land Surveying services for free??
No, I didn't think so... maybe you end closing your doors, You want Fries with that Cheeseburger? lol
I'm a career land surveyor who has worked for GNSS manufacturers for 25 years and counting. Ashtech > Leica > Hemisphere GNSS. Do you guys realize the actual financial costs involved in the R&D that goes into developing GNSS hardware and the associated software applications; products that are easy to use, reasonably priced.
And after you buy GNSS receivers and software, you expect free training, which we are happy to provide.; part of the deal. I often get call backs from new customers, we need more free training; the guys you just trained, don't work here any more, I got new guys, they need training. Sure I can come back for more training, it's $1500 a day plus travel expenses. If you treat your guys right, they got no reason to go else where for an extra $1-2 dollars an hour, just saying, my 2cents..
Rant over.
-BbB B-)
Free Post-Processing SW, Really?
Sorry I blew up. Didn't mean to take the lid off the pot. I am a career land surveyor who has paid for all my software, training and grip for 18 years. I like free stuff. Just sayin. I like dinkin around in my free time with software and old beater equipment. I don't mind pinchin wires and pushing buttons. So, I have the premium roast from 5:30-4 but drink $0.97 tall boys on my time. You get what you pay for. Lots of effort goes into software and people should be paid.
It's all good.
Free Post-Processing Software Reply
It is my understanding that the software came with the purchase of the equipment so it was not free. As equipment moved from user to user it became separated from the required software.
Sooner or later a major lawsuit will be fled against a manufacturer who claims they own the software and you are only renting it. If they own it they own all the liability for any software errors.
Exxon/Mobil has spent oodles of money cleaning up leaks at abandoned gas stations because they owned the underground tanks.
Giving away something that user's actually have some right to possess limts the giver's liability.
Giving away an old survey to another surveyor limts your liability because hopefully your survey shows many good reasons to honor it. Sell him that same survey and you could end up on the wrong end of a lawsuit, because you have extended your liability.
Paul in PA
Free Post-Processing Software Reply
My favorite FREE post processing GPS Software is OPUS Projects.
