Hi all,
I have a Sokkia GRX1 and run it with Carlson SurvCE. I've been connecting to the RTK network using the built in GSM modem on the GRX1 (At&t SIM card) . I ran into another surveyor with the same setup and he told me he uses his cellular phone to hook up to the RTK network instead of the internal GRX1 modem.
I'd like to accomplish this myself as it would save me a few bucks a month not having to pay for that extra device on my cell phone account.
I've been playing with it some but have not figured out how to set it up. Anyone willing to share as how to get this setup?
If it is a smartphone the easiest way is to turn on the wifi hotspot and use that.
The jetpack from Verizon works way better than using a phone. Phone gets maybe 4 hrs of life the jetpack will run all day. I can send it with the field crew as well.
The biggest draw backs to using an actual phone in my opinion are as follows:
- Short battery life as mentioned above.
- WiFi connections can be a pain at times. For example, at times I will start my iphone as a hotspot and it will not actually be visible until I cycle the hotspot off, then on again.
- If you must accomplish the connection via bluetooth, you will need to utilize an app like PDANet. This is available for Android, but if you have an iphone you first must do the jailbreak process. Not recommended.
- My phone isn't ruggedized, so I get concerned of it being exposed to the elements. If I leave it in my pocket I often forget that I have an active connection and have already walked away.
- Some carriers do not allow both voice and data happening simultaneously. If you are utilizing your phone with the rover for internet access, then receive a call that you answer, the data connection will be dropped. This can become a pain.
I hope this helps.