Was out working with the Focus again, ran into an irregularity I was curious if anyone else has. Radio link goes from "critical" to "good" off and on. Tried changing the channel, it happened again. I was out on a military reservation--wondering if there were channels out there walking on mine (or vice versa). The site was open with a clear view to the gun of about a 150 feet. Walked up to the gun, it still said "critical" standing right next to it. Then it went back to good and got a bit more work done. It was just odd as it had never happened before. I started to wonder if the data collector to radio connection was wearing out on the georadio port. Still fits in there snug though.
In my expereince, the data cable is usually the first thing to go bad, and it will give you fits by partially working. It wears out at the joint where the wire meets the hard plastic plug. I've learned to keep an extra cable in the truck to switch out when I start having problems. However, since you are on a military site, it could very well be interference. Some people have suggested keeping a scanner in the truck to monitor interfence, but I never have.
For what it's worth, I used to go out onto some of the military areas and the only one I had issues with was out at sub base Bangor. As far as other radio issues, I've had an antenna go bad yet still look ok.
I have experienced the same issue w/Trimble/Geodimeter guns
Solution was a replacement antenna, both at gun and on radio.
They can look like new, but still have poor connections inside.
Also, on the rod radio, check the battery connections. I've had good luck when cleaning and bending them to get better contact.
What Mr. Ranger says is correct....that cable from the data collector to the radio is the problem 90% of the time. They can look fine but they are not...
CHEAP insurance to have at least one spare with you.
And you may be correct on the radio interference on the military base....
Does the problem occur anywhere else?
Thanks you all. I will try the other antenna out that I have. I have another collector cord too somewhere, will dig it out. Just praying not the georadio. That would really suck if that went kaput.
it would suck if it is the radio, but they are repairable.
Be sure and try a NEW cable as well...as even worthless old ones can look just fine. I see that happen all the time.
If it turns out to be the cable, throw those old ones away.
I sometimes make the customer hand them to me and I throw them away...if they quit working...they won't magically repair themselves laying in a crate in the back of the truck...and no...tying pink flagging on it won't fix it either.
Yep, like an idiot--tried the pink flagging. Funny you mentioned that...