Dual-frequency Receiver

Yes! I use a 4000SSE and two Trimble 4600s.

YES and maybe not...

Good idea (yes it will work), but I would shy away from the 4800 (if it was me). That's a pretty old (but good) receiver, and it is well known for being a bugger to work on (internal battery).

I picked up a reasonably recent Novatel L1/L2 Receiver last Spring (with PCMCIA slot), for $511, and you can generally get 502 antennas at pretty reasonable prices.

If you keep your eyes peeled, and/or know somebody with some older gear, I would think that you could get equipped for about a grand (maybe less).

Loyal

The chicken bucket worked well but had limited storage. It needs to be cleaned out after every few sessions. And like Loyal said-internal battery. It had a carbon fiber rod that a carbon fiber covered battery screwed into. If it doesn't come with those you will need another way to power it.

Do you have any suggestions about where to find such a great deal on a dual-frequency receiver? I've checked ebay and craigslist.
Thanks

Getting under the $1,000 mark is tricky, but it can be done. I sold a complete Ashtech Z-12 kit last year for under $800 on eBay. It lacked only new battery cells and a tripod for operation.

Most of my experience is with the Trimble 4000 series, though a receiver/antenna combination will likely run more like $1,500 with careful searching. eBay is the best source I've found -- Craigslist is much less likely to carry professional surveying gear -- but right now there aren't any low-cost L1/L2 Trimble receivers listed. I'd stay away from the 4000SST and focus on the 4000SSe and 4000SSi. (But beware of the 4000SSi units listed as showing "Remote Monitor Active"; they won't work in that condition, and I don't know what's required to fix them.)

The 4400 is also a good unit, but it requires an external data collector. A TSC1 would work fine for that purpose.

With regard to Trimble antennas, there are some $500 Microcentered L1/L2 units available right now, and Compact L1/L2 antennas can often be found for $250 or so these days, even with a ground plane.

Good luck!

I recently bought a rarely used (last data file was from 2001) 4700, zephyr antenna plus a download cable and a data collector cable, plus a hard case for $1500. I believe it was a trade-in to a dealer for some new gear. It even had an internal receive only radio, which my 4700 (that got stolen) did not have.

I had to purchase the correct antenna cable, as the one that came with it was NOT for a 4700, but rather for a 5700. I also bought a new power cable to hook up to a brick battery. Those should be arriving tomorrow and I will have a complete setup. No Glonass, but great for a static base receiver.

Z-12

There are a couple (3) Z-12 systems on ebay right now for about 1300-1400 bucks, that appear to include antennas and (at least some cables). I know that the Z-12 is an OLD receiver, but from what I have heard over the years, it's about as bullet-proof as they come. TEQC also supports the Ashtach Binary file Format (I think).

Anytime you are shopping for the "screaming deals," you are generally looking at EOF (and beyond) gear, and it can be a pig in a poke. I got my best "deals" when I wasn't really looking! (figures).

Jim's $800 setup would have a real steal!

BTW, I know several folks who are still running 4000 and 4400 units, and they work today as well as they did in the stone age.

Loyal

>
> Most of my experience is with the Trimble 4000 series, though a receiver/antenna combination will likely run more like $1,500 with careful searching. eBay is the best source I've found -- Craigslist is much less likely to carry professional surveying gear -- but right now there aren't any low-cost L1/L2 Trimble receivers listed. I'd stay away from the 4000SST and focus on the 4000SSe and 4000SSi. (But beware of the 4000SSi units listed as showing "Remote Monitor Active"; they won't work in that condition, and I don't know what's required to fix them.)

When you receive the "Remote Monitor Active" it usually means the internal memory batteries need to be replaced. I'm in the process of doing that now.

Remote Monitor Active

Did replacing the battery resolve this message? How difficult was this procedure?

Thanks

Remote Monitor Active

Yes, it works great now. It's not that hard to do, But you will need to have some basic soldering skills. There are two batteries on the main board as well as two more for each Memory board. (The unit I just did had Six)

Remote Monitor Active

Okay sounds good. Are all the same batteries the same? Some kind of Lithium model? Are the replacement batteries unusual in any way?

Thanks again.

Remote Monitor Active

They are a 1/2 size AA battery with Wire leads. They are about $6-$8 each depending on where you find them. (A well stocked electronics store should carry them, but I doubt you would find them @ Radio Shack.) Just make sure you mark the Pos. and Neg. leads on the Board when you remove the old ones so you can put the new ones in the right way. After you swap them out, plug the unit into a power supply for several hours to charge the new Batteries. then just re-install the Firmware and your set!

Landman, You need to have a look-see at the HemisphereGPS R320 setup. Rugged L1/L2 GNSS, OmniStar, SBAS receiver, external antenna (NGS Antenna tested) OPUS ready. External USB thumb-drive for static data logging. Search for Shawn Billing's test-drive article review in American Surveyor magazine . Worth a look, very attractive pricing.

Dual-frequency Receiver - Remote Monitor Active

Ah, I found the Trimble 4000 internal battery replacement procedure. Too bad this isn't on the Trimble Support site.

Dual-frequency Receiver - Remote Monitor Active

That's where I found it! I printed that pdf. out a few years ago and couldn't remember where I got it at. The only thing it doesn't show is the memory board (It sits on top of the main one)with the other batteries on it. They are all the same and should be replaced also.

Good Luck!

Dual-frequency Receiver - Remote Monitor Active

I'm having the same issue with a 4000SSe. I ordered new batteries for it today, and will report back with results.

Thanks!

Dual-frequency Receiver - Remote Monitor Active

New batteries arrived over the weekend, and I installed them today. So far it looks like things went without a hitch. The UNAVCO document was a little short on details, and my receiver was set up a little different from the one in their photos, but it was pretty easy to figure out. I installed 6 batteries total; 2 on the motherboard, and 2 each on both memory boards. The firmware reinstall went without incident, and I'm letting the batteries charge as I type.

I'll try collecting data tomorrow to make sure it's functioning normally, but for about $50 bucks in parts and a couple of hours of my time (at least one of which was spent on the learning curve), I appear to have an operational receiver again.

Thanks to all who pointed me in the right directions.

Dual-frequency Receiver - Remote Monitor Active

> I'm letting the batteries charge as I type.

Then again, maybe not. The UNAVCO battery replacement instructions states that "rechargeable lithium" batteries are to be used, then lists "LS14250-AX or similar" as the desired battery. I used Saft LS14250AX batteries, and out of curiosity decided a few minutes ago to look at the tech specs for them. They're listed as non rechargeable, using lithium-thionyl chloride chemistry, and are "designed specifically for long-term (3 to 15 years) applications, featuring a few µA base currents."

It sounds like the right application, but without the recharge capability/necessity. I hope!

Dual-frequency Receiver - Remote Monitor Active

I don't trust myself to solder anything and have it work. I envy you guys that can do this sort of thing.

I am hopeless with automobiles and electronics.

Friends tell me, "You can do your own brakes, nothing to it, save lots of money." Nope, no way, I'd kill myself.