Hi All,
I have owned a Carlson BRX7 base and rover unit, using SurvCE on a Carlson Surveyor2, for about 8 months now. I have had radio issues with it the whole time. I don't own a big radio, as I have always just used the internal on all previous my previous GPS units. The internal 1W radios have always allowed me to shoot out a section without traversing the base (could almost always get out 1.5 miles), with few exceptions.
Any time in the past that I have had problems, I have just changed channels to avoid the traffic, and problem was solved, but nothing seems to be working for me with the BRX7. I can't hardly get out 1/2 a mile (in Oklahoma City), and when I get out of the city I struggle to get out much further than that.
I was curious, so I took my old Geomax 25 unit (internal 1W, base rover system), and set it up on a job I couldn't get out on with the BRX7. The Geomax was set to the same UHF frequencies as the BRX7. It gets out 1.5 miles, no problem, every direction.
I have been through this with my dealer and with Carlson support, and while both have tried a lot, and have been happy to help, they can't solve the problem.
I demo'd a big radio today, and I expected the issue to go away, but it really didn't. It was somewhat better, but I still couldn't get some shots that were only 1 mile from the base. I just wonder if any of you have any advice or have overcome similar issues. Thanks
If you're problem is in an area with good cellphone coverage consider using Carlson's listen listen?
Even if it's not another surveyor using RTK on same frequency in urban environment can be any number of pirate radio devices operating that shouldn't be. Cell connection does away with that if you have good coverage.
What antennas are you using on the units? Have you tried the 900 MHz just to see if you get any better range? You may need to send a command to the unit to turn them on. (I am also not sure how to set the 900 MHz in Carlson, in FieldGenius they are under the Freewave 900 protocol).
HAVE YOU TRY RAISE YOUR ANTENNA UP ABOUT 10 TO 11'
I appreciate the advice from all. I had already tried most of those options. I went ahead and bought the long range radio to just be done with it. It helps, and I'm able to get my work done, however I still don't think it has the range it should, even out in the country, away from the city interference.