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Carlson BRx7 UHF Radio Range
Posted by PriceSurveying on August 15, 2021 at 2:13 amWe are looking to potentially purchase a Carlson BRx7 base/rover system after a recent demo. We were pleased with the results under canopy. However, does anyone have insight and/or experience on the range of the 1 watt UHF radios on these units. Our Topcon units can get at least 2 miles consistently with the internal UHF radios. We were curious what to expect with the Carlson units before we purchase.
jmh4825 replied 2 years, 6 months ago 8 Members · 8 Replies- 8 Replies
For UHF, rule of thumb is 1km per watt
My experience with the BRx7 internal radios is 2.5~2.75mi on the best project sites and 1mi~1.5mi on challenging regions where radio interference is minimal or terrain is the limiting factor. Radio settings have more to do with distance that most realize. I used a system where a local municipal airport was causing problems and limited my distance down to 4,500ft. Once I changed to a different frequency and protocol all was good. Also had a situation where a regional state radio was causing problems, once changed all was working as expected.
I appreciate your feedback! I was hoping some users were getting in the 2 mile range in good to optimal conditions. Thanks again!
I tested the S631 (BrX7 before Carlson rebrands the Hemisphere) and we got 3-5 km in town with no line of sight. Out of town in open top prairie I can get 11 km out of the internal radios with line of sight.
@michael-hyman I recently purchased a Brx7 B&R. I have had great success under tree canapy and about 3000+- ft of range. I haven’t really tried pushing more distance then that. But I’m on my 4/5 week with the units and just last week I notice my receiver going DGPS after 15-30 mins into a job. Last week was periodic, but this week it started happening even more and more. At to some point I just had to shut it down and go to my backup B&R. (SP80). I want to say I am getting interference from something or someone near by, or just the location i am in (dead spot). I did change my channel and no results. I wish I knew more as far as changing the settings……. any tips or tricks that you can suggest?
Thank You.
Not brand specific, but I would recommend using a good antenna (not a rubber duck antenna) mounted as high as possible at the base to get the best possible range.
2.3 miles with the UHF radios. Put the base up as high as it will go and still be steady. The only trouble I had was when the antennas were mis-marked and were for the wrong fcy.
As far as fix in canopy, I??ve struggled much past 0.5 mile. The closer the base to site, the better the performance.
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