Just curious as to what the average radio range others are getting that are using this combo. From my previous posts most know I work along railroad tracks, which in my case are usually 30-60 foot wide corridors. I know this probably has an affect on the range of the radio, but it seems the range is so sporadic from site to site. Some sites I start having issues between 500-700 feet others I can go 1200-1400 feet. I tend to work with my back to the instrument a lot and noticed the range is reduced when I do this. So I ordered a wifi antenna extension cable, rigged an adapter on the top of the prism and that worked great. But I'm just curious what range others are getting and what other issues/solutions you've come up with.
I have an S6 and TSC2. Range is usually around 1000 feet or better. BUT, I have found that large metal objects between the data collector and the instrument (crane, for example) really mess with it, even though I still have line-of-sight.
When mine was new I could get shots 1200+ feet. I have played games with new antennas and they usually help a bit, but sometimes I can only get 300'-400'. Christof recommended the following part number (58313001 trimble s6 radio extension kit) and it makes all the range come back. It only cost $80 and it mounts nicely to the top of the MT1000 prism. Duncan Parnell in Morrisville, NC found the part for me.
I had our signal supervisor order me a wifi antenna extension cable. I asked for a 6 foot cable, so he thought 12 would be even better. Yesterday I rigged up a quick mount for the top of the MT1000 with some nuts and bolts from our maintenance dept. Pic below. It worked out great. Got almost 2800 feet from the gun, not that I would ever really go that far, I just wanted to see how far I could. At that distance the gun had issues tracking the MT1000 and basically refused to shoot to it, but the radio never dropped. I'm going to order a 6 foot cable and have our shop make me a small bracket to mount it. The cable is less than $20 including shipping and the bracket will be made from some scrap, so it'll just be about 30 minutes of time. If you have time, could you post a pic of the antenna mounted to the MT1000?
With the TSC2 I get from 400 feet to 1200 feet depending on obstacles, usually on the high side of those numbers. I was one of the unlucky ones to get a combo that will not work within 6 feet of each other. If I am up close to the gun I have to screw off the antenna or they lose connection. When I bought this equipment I had just started my company and had very little work and wasn't sure how it was supposed to work in the first place. By the time I figured out what was happening, it was too late to take it back and get one that worked correctly.
Cool setup for your antenna extension.
Our robotic repair guy (one of the best around IMNSHO) says that any day that you get a consistent 1000' you should count your lucky stars and buy lottery tickets.
When they are working great, we see 1000-1400 feet some times.
The limit of the tracking on the MT 1000 is around 2500 feet so you were right at the edge.
As others have said, your body or other objects between the data collector and the robot make a big difference, as in big reduction in range.
It was just a temp thing to test it out. I was noticing before the test that when I walk away from the gun, about half of my work, the range is a lot less. I will definitely be getting a shorter cord and that bracket made asap.
My radio extension came with a little doohicky that makes it mount nicely to the prism. Just unscrew the top of the prism and flip it over and re screw it on. (I paint almost everything orange)
Having to make a setup like that for radio strength under 1500 feet is ridiculous. Glad it works for you but it shouldnt need that in the first place.
