So we had one of our two total stations into the local shop for a vertical index adjustment.
The next day, we could no longer use the field computer to take a distance measurement.
Crew puts a new cable on (we use DB9 null modem cables). No joy.
Well, they return to the office and we repeat the entire process using both cables and a second laptop. No joy, again.
Well, it must be a loose wire caused by the adjustment, right??
So we go thru the whole set of permutations of laptops and cables with our backup total station. Sigh....no luck again.
WTF is going on????
(We were also beginning to suspect the software.....and since I wrote it, that is always a reasonable assumption!)
So we double-check the new cable.....guess what: it ain't a null modem cable (although it was packaged as such).
So we switch to a third cable and....bingo!....all is happiness!
So what are the odds of (1) having an instrument adjustment (2) almost immediately followed by a bad cable (3) then immediately followed by a bad 'new' DB9 cable?
Yeah, I know..... 100%....
"Si quid malum improvisum accidere potest, accidet."
