TBC antenna models

> Why can't they just use the antex files???

That would be too transparent. That would mean you could easily process the data from any receiver.

You must not be allowed that level of freedom 😉

> Anyone have a write-up with steps? I tried the above, but got an error when processing that the antenna model was not found.

Peter Lazio had a how-to posted on his website, but the link I have is broken (can't find the server): http://www.plazio.net/TGO/Adding%20an%20Antenna%20to%20TGO.htm

Here's a link to the official Trimble document on the subject: Trimble Custom Antenna Info.

I've successfully added some antennas to TBC using one or both of the above. I'll see if I can get in touch with Peter to get a fresh link to his document.

John,

Are you using the NGS Absolute option under Project Settings>Baseline Processing>General?

Thanks, Jim. The trimble doc is somewhat helpful, but doesn't tell you how to make the .pct (or .ngs, or .ife) files. I do remember readings Peter's write up a few years ago, but I didn't save it.

Alan: I have been using the igs absolute model. I believe they have more rigorous methods of testing and modeling, but probably the difference between using the IGS absolute and the NGS absolute is not significant.

In any case, I need to add this particular antenna, but I know if I put the offsets from the NGS antex file, it doesn't come close. I also note that all of the .ngs files in the ...commontrimbleconfig directory say

;PCT converted from atabase>
;Processor name : pctconvert v1.10

But, I cannot find such a program. I did find a PCT_EDIT program, but it needs some kind of support package (Delphi 5), and when I searched for that I found that it is problematic with windows 7 64 bit.

> In any case, I need to add this particular antenna, but I know if I put the offsets from the NGS antex file, it doesn't come close.

Peter says he's going to send you the how-to directly, but the essential matter is that Trimble's format for the altitude values is backward from that of ANTEX. The ANTEX format starts at 90° and goes to 5° in 5° increments, while the Trimble format starts at 0° and goes to 90°, also in 5° increments.

Thanks for getting in touch with Peter. We go way back, first met him in 1986 on the first GPS job I ever did, which was for the company he worked for at the time. Haven't talked to him in a while.

I did remember about the order of elevation going backwards. Peter sent me his document, although he was only sure that it worked for TGO. I am guessing TBC will be the same. I will post here if successful (or not).

Like I said, if only Trimble would read the big ngs antex file, things would be easier. Not known for playing well with others.

> Like I said, if only Trimble would read the big ngs antex file, things would be easier. Not known for playing well with others.

Looks like my memory is slipping again. With TBC v2.70, Trimble added support for the ANTEX format. See this news release.

To expand on the above, the following is from the help file for v2.81, which is what I have:

> NGS Absolute – Trimble Business Center will load APC correction models for the base and rover antennas from the NGS ANTEX file ngs_antennas.atx. If NGS absolute APC correction models are not available for both the base and rover antenna, processing will fail.

> IGS Absolute – Trimble Business Center will load APC correction models for the base and rover antennas from the IGS ANTEX file igs_antennas.atx and the Trimble file trimble_antennas.atx. If IGS absolute APC correction models are not available for both the base and rover antenna, processing will fail.

Jim: I was not aware of that. I had looked through the config directory, and, not seeing any large files, made the assumption that TBC would not use them. So, I now have something new to try. I assume that if I put the latest files there, they will work.

Thanks again for your help.

Can't get it to work....

OK, so there aren't any instructions on how to get TBC to recognize the files.

I made a new ngs_antennas.atx file from the atx file at the NGS antenna calibration page. Just copied and pasted into a blank file. Saved as ascii. First tried in dos format (i.e. CR/LF). Didn't work. Then noticed that the igs_antennas.atx file was in unix format (just LF). Still no go.

I first placed the file into the c:program files(x86)common filestrimbleconfig directory, even though there was none there before. Then I searched, and I found an existing ngs_antennas.atx and igs_antennas.atx in c:programdatatrimbleigsconfig, so I put it there. Still, it doesn't work. When I do the drop down of manufacturers in the antenna tab, it doesn't show up.

So, I am not sure how to get TBC to read in all the antennas from ngs_antennas.atx. And yes, I do have NGS Absolute chosen as the antenna model.

Next, I put a block of info into the antenna.ini file. Still no good.

Can't get it to work....

I would try emailing Michael McInnis at System Dividends. He may know.

Can't get it to work....

> I first placed the file into the c:program files(x86)common filestrimbleconfig directory, even though there was none there before. Then I searched, and I found an existing ngs_antennas.atx and igs_antennas.atx in c:programdatatrimbleigsconfig, so I put it there. Still, it doesn't work.

Mine are in C:ProgramDataTrimbleIGSConfig, so you're on the right track there.

Do you have IGS Absolute specified in Project Settings | Baseline Processing | General for the project you're working on? And have you tried restarting the application after you loaded the ANTEX files?

Can't get it to work....

"F1 to display the "Check-In Raw GNSS Data" online Help topic. "

Taken from a TBC tutorial,

From what i read you just 'edit' the antenna offsets (when you are importing the raw data) and just use that 1 edited cell to apply to the rest.
It might have a save option to keep this for later projects as well, but thats all i could find.