Justin Secrest
I attempted to break a section down today. There were lots of hills and lots of trees. My LS worked great under canopy and was very efficient as long as I was in radio range. My work area was 2 miles within the base. I picked the safest and highest spot I could for the base. My radio range was great as long as a hill was not in the way. I was able to go 3 miles with a fix. But this was in a valley with trees. I tried to collect a section corner a 1/2 mile away from the base with a hill between us. I had no communication and was unable to fix. I tried using the external radio on the LS but no improvement. There was no rssi signal. I definitely need a stronger radio.
Correction - I tried to use the external antenna on the LS but no improvement.
Yes, please connect external antenna and configure radio to use external antenna.
What is your base antenna height?
As a next step you have to raise radio with antenna to at least 10-12 ft.
Ideally to 16 ft.
Also it is possible to use different antenna UHF NGP Antenna 1/2, 2.4 dB gain, NMO Datasheet This antenna is attached to radio via 12 ft cable The goal is the same to raise base antenna at least 10-12 ft.
Increasing signal power would not help much, you need to arrange direct Line Of Sight between base and rover communication antennas.
Another solution would be installing radio repeater between base and rover.
As repeater second HPT401BT could be used.
Thank you for the reply. I am setting my base radio at a 6' height. This is the same height I have used for the last 15 years using my javad legacy and pacific crest 35 watt radio. I never had communication problems even up to 5 miles. That is what brought me to the conclusion that I need a higher watt radio. I will try to get the radio 12' into the air and see if that helps.
How much increase range would I expect with the external radio antenna?
Thank you for your feedback.
We are looking forward for more information from you.
The best result we got was 2 times increased distance range by using an external antenna for Triumph-LS.
Nevertheless for reliable coverage of 5 miles area you are right that 1 W in general case would be not enough. For 5 miles area we would recommend 4 W JAVAD transceiver HPT404B.
Attaching the external antenna and reconfiguring the LS gave more range. But not significant. In the valley i was able to stay fix 4 miles. I was able to collect the section corner that was a 1/2 mile away and 50' lower than the base. I was not able to collect this corner without the external antenna. After running more tests I made a firm observation. The LS with the external antenna could not go fix when 1 mile from the base and 50' or more below the base or if there is a 50' or more hill between the LS and base. This is not efficient for me due to the terrain of my area. I feel that an upgrade to the 404 is necessary for me.
I was able to finish my survey. I figure the time I lost with radio range issues was more than made up with the ease I found and set all the tract corners. I think the LS with the longer range 404 is going to be a home run.