Leica TCRA1102 Connection Settings

Doesn't one have to use the Leica RCS1100 collector on that gun? I've never seen another collector used with that model.

AS3

use the onboard leica collector? seems like on an 1100 you could boot into either leica firmware or an onboard DOS version of TDS. Not exactly the answer to your question, but ...

> Doesn't one have to use the Leica RCS1100 collector on that gun? I've never seen another collector used with that model.

The owner had been driving it robotically with the AllegroCX (using SurvCE) before the Leica radio self-destructed. It seems like it should be possible to run it over a cable as well.

Not to hijack, but another problem might be bad pins or bad cables....happens more often than not.

I run a TCRA1105 with a set of long range bluetooth radios using a Ranger and Survey Pro. I use GeoComm and set the baud rate to 19200. Make sure the on board comm settings for GeoComm correspond to the settings in the collector.

Here's what I'm working with, starting with the communications menu:

Below are the GeoCOM settings. These are matched in my data collector:

Below is what you get when you select 3 from the Main/Com menu. It puts GeoCOM into On-line mode. According to the Leica manual, this is required to run the gun from an external data collector:

Below is what you see when you're in On-line mode. Supposedly, this screen is displayed during data collector control. Pressing Exit takes it out of GeoCOM On-line mode.

Is this the way your system works?

P.S. I didn't know there was dirt around the edge of the instrument display until I saw the photos. It's not noticeable in normal room light.

Nah, the "online mode" is for plugging the gun into a computer to reach the internal memory.

The answer is elsewhere.

Jim,

It has been several years since I played with TCRA1100 but if I recall, you need to hit the "PARAM" key to setup the communication parameters to match the data collectors. I'm guessing that you have already gone through this but just in case.

The on board settings look the same as I'm using to use it robotically. I not sure about the below comment pertaining to the GeoComm on-line mode. I've been running in GeoComm mode for three years and it works great. From what I've gathered GeoComm is a more universal language that will let the instrument work with other collectors, or a computer. RCS mode is for when using with the Leica controller. I've run it with my Ranger and Survey Pro in RCS mode and and in GSI mode, but seems to work best in GeoComm.

Does your SurvCE software have the robotics module activited? GeoComm is to be used for robotic mode, be it using a cable or radios for communications. If the robotics module is not activated the collector will not recognize the real time data being sent to it. GSI is to be used for running conventional, however you can still utilize the ATR and Lock functions for tracking. From what I've heard SurvCE is supposed to be very compatible with the 1100 instrument, once your up and running, I'm just partial to SurveyPro.

> Does your SurvCE software have the robotics module activited? GeoComm is to be used for robotic mode, be it using a cable or radios for communications. If the robotics module is not activated the collector will not recognize the real time data being sent to it.

Yes, the SurvCE version has robotics activated, so that's likely not the problem.

I just heard from a former user of this particular gun that the comm board in it is bad. That would explain a lot...I understand it's about a $2,000 fix. 🙁

Know anyone with a working Leica com board for sale?

I don't know anyone with a comm board. I've been told there is a history with the boards going bad causing EDM problems, but this is the first I've heard of the comm problem. May be worth while to call Earl Dudley. Their repair department was very helpful on the phone when I had some questions and they seem to have a lot of experience with the 1100's.