I'm not sure where to post this...I'm having an issue with the Leica RH1200 radio handle that is used with a Leica TCRP 1205 Robotic Instrument. If anyone has ever had this problem or has any input, your comments would be most appreciated. The RH1200 Radio Handle that attaches to the instrument has indicator lights that come on after you power on the instrument. The green light indicates power and this always illuminates. The problem has been the "red" light (second light from left) should also illuminate but it has intermittently not been illuminating. When this light doesn't work it means the radio handle antenna is not communicating with the instrument. Thinking the issue could be the radio handle contacts we then tried another handle. Made no difference because the red light works intermittently on that one also. Does this sound like it could be the contact on the instrument itself since one day the radio handles will work and then another day they won't? Has anyone else had this issue and can it be replaced?
Quickest way I can figure is take it to your local Leica dealer, try a new radio handle. If that fixes it, then you you probably need a new radio handle. I have heard of other surveyors in Seattle here that have had those go bad. They are around $1500.
While I haven't had that exact issue, I have had luck with communication errors by switching the robot to Bluetooth and then back to the radio handle.
The red light indicates that the radio handle is connected to the data collector. It is not on unless it is connected to the RX unit. I would try a different link number on the instrument and RX first. Then I would try a different RX.
Does your RH1200 have the little rubber seal around the electrodes? I've found that those sometimes prevent the handle from fully seating and I often just toss them. When you notice things aren't working check to see if the gun is talking to the handle by trying to change the link number. If all seems ok the problem is most likely in the remote unit as John suggested. What remote are you using? If it turns out to be a problem with the handle and you need to replace it give me a holler. I've got a good used one.
Thanks for the suggestions. The data collector is a Juniper Allegro. The issue isn't with the data collector. When the red light on the radio handle illuminates, then the data collector always works. The problem is the "communication" that can't take place until the radio handle red light is on. When the red light illuminates on the radio handle, then the data collector always works. When the red light is off, there is no communication between the handle and the instrument and therefore the data collector also can't communicate. We just can't figure out why there is this on again off again and nothing is different from one day to another as far as settings or anything. You just go to turn it on and this red light does not light up. The next day you turn it on and everything works. In all situations the green light always comes on. We tried another radio handle and it does the exact same thing. When one radio handle is working, you can interchange both handles and they will both work. When one doesn't work, you can try the other and that one won't work also.
One radio handle does have the seal and the other one doesn't.
Trying to remember what the remedy for that was. CX with the 1200 would stop talking mid-survey and if I'm not mistaken (been five or six years) you had to walk to the instrument and power down both the instrument and the DC. Then power up the instrument first followed by the DC.
The only other option that comes to mind was going into the geocom utilities and selecting a diiferent transfer protocol and accepting it. Then switching back to the correct transfer protocol and saving it. It's been a few years but one or the other works.
I'm convinced this is a problem on the data collector side. Do you have access to another Allegro to test with? Maybe the ribbon cable to the radio pod is loose. I heard of some issues with the MX, but the CX always seemed pretty rock solid.
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Let me try to clarify what is happening. First, the radio handle is placed on the instrument. Then, the instrument is powered on. Afterwhich, the green light illuminates on the Radio Handle indicating power. The next light that needs to come on the radio handle is the second "red light" which is next to the green light. This "red light" needs to power on BEFORE the data collector is turned on. Communication has to be established between radio handle and instrument before data collector is turned on. When the Second red light comes on, then when you power up the data collector the Third red light comes on indicating communication between radio handle and data collector. The problem is some days this second light comes on and other days it doesn't.
Surveyor, post: 328031, member: 10221 wrote: Let me try to clarify what is happening. First, the radio handle is placed on the instrument.
I wish I had an answer, we had always left the radio handle attached, in or out of the box.
I'll take a look at mine for reference. If you are convinced the problem is in the instrument I would start by deleting the the RH1200 device, then hit shift DFLT to bring it back. If that doesn't work I would try formatting system RAM. You might also try rubbing the handle contacts with a pencil eraser. When the red light fails to come on are you able to change the radio link? If you press down on the handle does anything change?
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What we are wondering is if this could be an issue with the "contacts" on the instrument where the radio handle "contacts" meet? Has anyone ever heard of that?
I could be. That's why I suggested pushing down on the handle or wiggling it when you are having problems to see if it helps. Do the contacts look corroded or anything? Did you check to see if you can change the radio link when that red light isn't on?
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R.J. Schneider, post: 328035, member: 409 wrote: I wish I had an answer, we had always left the radio handle attached, in or out of the box.
Thanks. We did too until this problem began. I was just trying to break down the steps to accurately explain how it's not working.
Precision-geo-inc, post: 328086, member: 9801 wrote: corroded
The contacts all look to be in good condition on both instrument and radio handle. I can try pushing down on it but it seems like it's making contact because the green light always comes on.
This discussion reminds me of the reason I replaced my Leica radios with Parani bluetooth -- low cost and simplicity.
Jim Frame, post: 328089, member: 10 wrote: This discussion reminds me of the reason I replaced my Leica radios with Parani bluetooth -- low cost and simplicity.
You can't get much simpler than the RH1200 radio handle and Allegro with radio pod. I've used these setups for years with never a problem. You have a point on the cost difference, but not everyone has the time or know how to put together a slick setup like you have, and it's still not as clean as the stock solution mentioned above. Problems are very rare. Did you have trouble with the Leica radios Jim?
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Precision-geo-inc, post: 328091, member: 9801 wrote: Did you have trouble with the Leica radios Jim?
In 2011 I bought a TCRA1102 and an Allegro CX from a colleague, who had shelved the system because the gun would no longer communicate with the DC. My Leica dealer quoted $2800 to repair it (basically by replacing one or both radios). I had some experience with the Paranis that came with my DC50, and decided to see if i could adapt the same technology to the Leica system. A few hundred dollars later I was up and running, and haven't looked back.
Surveyor, post: 328088, member: 10221 wrote: The contacts all look to be in good condition on both instrument and radio handle. I can try pushing down on it but it seems like it's making contact because the green light always comes on.[/QUOTE
What we are wondering is if this could be an issue with the "contacts" on the instrument where the radio handle "contacts" meet? Has anyone ever heard of that?
Precision-geo-inc, post: 328086, member: 9801 wrote: I could be. That's why I suggested pushing down on the handle or wiggling it when you are having problems to see if it helps. Do the contacts look corroded or anything? Did you check to see if you can change the radio link when that red light isn't on?
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If it is the contacts on the instrument itself can this be repaired? Can a new set of contacts be installed?