Hemisphere S320 receivers – configuration with external 35W radio
Because I was having recurring problems with my Topcon Hiper Pro receivers, I purchased a pair of Hemisphere S320 receivers, otherwise known as the Carlson BRx5. More channels, newer hardware and software, and (I thought) better integration with SurvCE. It’s been a mixed bag so far. The pair of receivers work fairly well using the internal radios (Microhard NL400), and seem to handle canopy situations just a little better than the older Hiper Pros. But internal radio range is predictably limited.
I’ve spent quite a bit of time trying to get my external 35W radio to boost the range. It is a JAVAD HPT435BT. I can get the base to send the ROX corrections out (through Port A) and the TX light on the Javad radio lights up. But I can’t seem to get the corrections from the Javad radio to the rover. I’ve checked to be sure that the S320 base and Javad radio are operating on the same baud rate, and they are. The fact that the TX light is illuminated makes me think that the connection between the S320 base and the Javad radio is OK. As for the connection between the Javad radio and the S320 rover, I have set each to the same radio frequency to match my FCC license. I have also updated the GNSS firmware on the S320 receivers to MFA 5.9Aa08. However, I cannot seem to update the firmware for the radio from “5.174-PC” to the latest “5.182-PC”. I’ve tried updating the radio firmware directly using SD card method, and have additionally tried Hemisphere’s “Autoloader” software, and the “Right Arm” software. No method has been successful in updating radio firmware. I think the radio firmware may be important, as from interacting with Hemisphere support staff, the later radio firmware allows for use of additional protocols (PC2, PC5, and TRIMTALK protocols). Presently, the available protocols are only PC1 and PC3.
If anybody out there has been through something like this, and has any suggestions, I would most appreciate it.
Al
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