Is there anyway to extend the antenna cord between the PM2 receiver and the survey grade antenna? Sometimes to get the antenna clear of obstructions with our old (other brand) gear we would put the antenna up on 8 or 12 feet of range pole. That often helped a lot. Can't see how it can be accomplished with the PM2, unless you turned on the receiver first, then raised the receiver up there with the antenna, then I guess you would have to throw out the first few minutes of data. Is there a better way or a longer cord available?

Thanks,

Geek

I asked and was told that a longer antenna cable would mean shorter battery power, as the antenna is powered through the cable from the receiver.

Try an 8' step ladder!

Good question. How much shorter battery life? If an 8' cable shortend battery life 20% it would be worth it to get the shot. Just use the long cable of the one shot, then go back to the regular cable. Or add more battery power.
Modified By Mark Twain on 8/11/2002 at 12:00 PM

One of these days I am going to experiment with a long antenna cable and the external power pack at the same time but this may require some donations to the Phil's Science Project Fund. First I have to find somebody to manufacture a long antenna cable for me. What is in my head is an antenna cable extension cord.

If you try this at home be sure to check out your signal to noise ratios on the raw data plots in Ashtech Solutions. It will be easy to see whether it works.

After spending this weekend reading the draft of the new manual for the ProMark2 I told Sharon I was ready to buy a ProMark2 system of my own to go with my SuperCA. You guys who have been married a long time already have a mental picture of the look she gave me. My ProMark2 system is not as high on her shopping list as it is on mine so there may be a little competition there.

But I have a suggestion for everybody who wants to get them high in the air. Do the same thing I did with the Dimensions and that folks have been doing with the Locus. Start them on the ground. Put them up and wait for them to get as stable as they will. Note the time when your session really started. Before you bring it down note your stop time. Then bring it down and turn it off.

Trim the times at beginning and end when you put it in Ashtech Solutions.

Sure, I understand you can't see the screen while it is up on a tall pole. It's another reason why I like my SuperCA. But you have heard me say that before.

You may see Ashtech Solutions splitting up the data into kinematic because of the antenna wiggling around but that is not hard to fix in the time view.

I'm talking about things I really know nothing about, but is there such an animal as an inline signal amplifier that could be put in your extension cable? I know that if it does exist we are talking about more $$$$, but I know several guys that would like to build base stations. This would allow a user to build a permanently fixed antenna at the top of a mast that could be plugged into a reciever maybe in the office.

Just a thought

Shawn Billings
SIT Texas

Shawn and others,

Try this link for GPS signal amplifier

or

This one.

Jimbo
Modified By James Webb on 8/12/2002 at 1:57 PM

You can also get a line amplifier from your Ashtech dealer but it depends on how much antenna cable you need.

I have often used a 30 foot cable with my SCA-12 and Z-12 Sensors without an amplifier.

Check out the Micro-Z CGRS for the snazzy solution that would let you take advantage of OPUS and perhaps even become a part of the Cooperative CORS.

Take a look at the G12 Sensor for an L1 solution.

But my first choice would be a setup that I could pull off the roof and take to the field. It would be a ZXtreme that would let me put my TCORS (temporary CORS) where I need it.

The data file from that receiver will process right along with ProMark2, Locus, and whatever. With Ashtech Solutions you already have the software you need to download the data files and crunch the numbers.

You can get the high dollar choke ring antenna but if marine antennas work for you in the field just get the Geodetic IV antenna for the roof and another for the road so you don't have to climb up and get the antenna when it is time to go mobile.

Or find somebody who is ready to sell one of their old receivers. Who cares how heavy it is or how much power it takes if it sits in the office all the time. We already know there are lots of diehards still using their Z-12 and even M-12 receivers. You can even get a SCA-12 if you can find somebody who will part with theirs.