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Using a network (VRS) beyond cell service.

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(@ridge)
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Couple days ago I tried for the first time to use the Utah VRS where there was no cell signal. I used a satellite WiFi hot spot and it worked. Borrowed it from a friend. It's not as useful as a base station but when just searching for a few corners is OK. You can search just using the GPS without corrections, probably good to about 10 feet or so. Once you find a corner or need to stake one out you start up the Sat WiFi. It's sort of clunky because you need to point the antenna at the SV. So set it on the ground and adjust until the signal lights are right. Use a control app on your phone to operate the sat WiFi. Once logged on the the VRS seems to work just fine. But can't say, get more than 200-300 feet away. Shot several points on a mountain lot, no cell service and no base station setup.

In a couple hours used about 3mB of data. You can buy on a monthly basis 20mb for about $60. So would cost a lot to use it all day every day. For occasional use I think it will work just fine. I'll probably do this instead of buying a base station. For a heavy need base station project I can rent one from an associate.

Now if they had a good omni directional sat antenna WiFi hot spot that would really free things up if it was small and light and you could just carry it with you and be connected all the time like using a cell phone.

This setup didn't help the lot owner that has built nice gravel road and electrical conduit partly on his neighbors lot. I wish they would pay me for survey work before they do it instead of after. Of course how many don't even know they are over the line. I suspect this "mistake" is going to cost a lot more than a survey before the fact would have. Whatever!

 
Posted : September 14, 2017 5:08 pm
(@john-hamilton)
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Trimble R10 with RTX would be an ideal solution to that. Works anywhere in the world, no cell service needed. I used it in the high andes this year and it takes longer to initialize (15 minutes or so), but once initialized it works the same as RTK/VRS, although the accuracy is slightly less, probably around 3 to 5 cm, which was fine for what I was doing. That is the only time I have ever used the RTX that way, and I did not have anything to check in to, so the 3 to 5 cm is a guess based on their specs. I typically use the RTX for single points (i.e. a photo control point observed as Observed Control), and then get in the vehicle and move on to another point. In Canada I have used it a lot that way, and checked in to some of their CBN points (pillars), typically about 2 cm H and 4 to 5 cm V.

 
Posted : September 15, 2017 4:43 am
(@ridge)
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John Hamilton, post: 446884, member: 640 wrote: Trimble R10 with RTX would be an ideal solution to that. Works anywhere in the world, no cell service needed. I used it in the high andes this year and it takes longer to initialize (15 minutes or so), but once initialized it works the same as RTK/VRS, although the accuracy is slightly less, probably around 3 to 5 cm, which was fine for what I was doing. That is the only time I have ever used the RTX that way, and I did not have anything to check in to, so the 3 to 5 cm is a guess based on their specs. I typically use the RTX for single points (i.e. a photo control point observed as Observed Control), and then get in the vehicle and move on to another point. In Canada I have used it a lot that way, and checked in to some of their CBN points (pillars), typically about 2 cm H and 4 to 5 cm V.

I have a recent model R10. Is there fee to use RTX? I did submit a static file a while back to the Trimble OPUS like service. Got a return about a cm different (H) than OPUS.

For what I was doing a 15 minute initialization time wouldn't work so well especially if it takes that long every time you lose it. I'll look into the RTX further.

 
Posted : September 15, 2017 7:32 am
(@john-hamilton)
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It does require a subscription, which is about the same amount of $$ as their VRS Now. You can, if I recall, get 3 months, or 1 year. I think it would be great if they offered daily or weekly subscriptions.

They do have a three day free trial, I used that the first time I needed it and found it very useful.

 
Posted : September 15, 2017 8:45 am