Did the Topcon GTS-2B semi-total station come with an RS-232 connection for use with a data collector? I don't remember. I assume it didn't because it wasn't a total station.
The Topcon GTS-2B had nothing that could be called an RS-232 port.
It would output the slope distance through the coaxial (two wires) power port in the lower part of the instrument to a device called the SRC-5 slope-reduction calculator.
Then, according to the SRC-5 manual
"Set the vertical (zenith) angle, horizontal angle, instrument point coordinates, H.I. values and so on, according to the calculation to be executed."
GB
I had a lot of fun with my GTS-2B until the distance measuring capability died. The fact you can turn angles without supplying power let me do a lot of learning using radio towers.
"Set the vertical (zenith) angle, horizontal angle, instrument point coordinates, H.I. values and so on, according to the calculation to be executed."
Looks like manual entry to me. Thanks.
Yeah, no electronic transfer of angles because they were still optical micrometer readings.
I just used my HP calculator and entered both distance and angle readings.
Nothing wrong with hand written field notes. Mine was a dependable work horse. I’d send it in for calibration and they never needed to adjust. I miss balancing the bubble. When in the field it was in my left hand and the legs on my right shoulder. I wouldn’t do that today but back then I didn’t keep falling down getting on a plane.
The biggest problem with instruments that came after it was that with all data being stored electronically the number of shots went from 5- 10 or so per setup to 50-100. Seems we got along just fine without all the extra ties.
Afterthought: had one of those old person moments a few years ago when at a school surveying exercise the younger LS with me had no clue how to read the angles.