NW Florida VRS options

I used Hiperlites on the Florida DOT's network with little trouble. I'd try that first, before looking into a paid subscription. There is also "L-net" through Langeman in Ocala. If the DOT isn't working out for you, I'd compare eGPS and Lnet and see who offers the more stations in the area you commonly work. IIRC, a lot of the stations that both services offer are simply rerouting the free DOT network to their servers, then supplementing with a few of their own stations in the metro areas, so keep that in mind ... it may not be much of an improvement to go with the paid services.

Thanks Pseudo...

Is there any literature that you know of to help a newbie VRS'er get started with the FDOT network? I'll be using a Hiper Lite + Rover w/GNSS & bluetooth, Ranger 500 w/SurveyPro & bluetooth, and connecting to the network using my Droid smart phone (3G only at the moment until Verizon updates their network in this area - soon they tell me).

I've already downloaded the FPRN IP Address info and RTK port assignments from the FPRN site.

Your phone service is more than good enough, you can get corrections with 2G even, the bandwidth requirement for RTN data streams is fairly low. Can't comment on Flordia specific networks.

SHG

The FDOT web site is http://www.myfloridagps.com/SpiderWeb/frmIndex.aspx. I use both the PRN and L-Net with Leica equipment. I prefer the PRN to L-Net but that is just me.

Some areas along I-10 are a little spotty and coverage is lacking but FDOT is working on adding additional station along the I-10 corridor. You should do ok in the Pensacola area though.

Verizon seems to have the best coverage but again, there are some areas where coverage is lacking.

I just faced the same situation. The RX light on my base kept blinking. Radio bad! After weighing the options, I replaced the radio. My Hiperlite plus base & rover has glonass. The DOT doesn't use glonass. U have to pay a subscription fee to a vrs provider, and an additional monthly fee for the misunderstood service. Myunitsarefianlly paid for! It was a no brained for me. I did think about upgrading to the newer hipers with the better radioand may stilldo that in the future. But for the work I do, the base and rover setup is perfect. If u can'taccess the network ina dead spot with your modum service, your out of luck. But I would say your decision should be based on type of work u do . If u do a lot of stuff requiring spc, then the network is the way to go. But if u do construction staking, boundary n toposurveys base & rover works fine.

Typed this on my cell phone, so sor
ry for gramar n spelling. Letters to small for me and fingers to fat

You'll probably need to purchase the Unlimited Range option for your HiPer Lite+ rover to use it satisfactorily on FDOT's network, maybe the others too. Reason being, you'll typically always be outside the range limit in the OAF on a HiPer Lite+ even if it is the unit with the extended range because that is still just 4 km.

Thanks Jerry. That's a biggie. Range will probably be an issue most of the time. I'm assuming Pseudo Ranger is not using the Hiper Lite's? Or just lucky enough to work with the 4 km limit.

This is way outside my area of knowledge, but I recall someone saying that if used with a VRS system -- one that virtualizes a base receiver very close (within a meter?) to the rover -- the Hiper range limitation wouldn't be reached. It might be worth investigating further before buying the unlimited range upgrade.

No, the are Hiperlites but we paid the upgrade fee to have the range limits removed, now that you mention it.

Ive heard this , too, but never tried to use VRS with the Hiperlites/TDS. We used single base line to the nearest base station.

CLEARLY, I'm going to need some professional assistance on this. Any suggestions on who to contact?