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Whether you are learning new equipment, or looking to improve your skills, Survey-Assistant is for you. Learn tips and tricks on how to get the most out of your equipment!

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Bench-Mark's Quick Fixes

Most Common Tech Support Questions

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Having Issues With Localizations?

Problem:
When attempting to perform a localization, you run into issues with your data lining up.

Youtube video

Initialize IMU Stopping You From Storing a Point?

Problem:
When attempting to select Store Point, Initialize IMU stops you from saving the point. 

Symptoms:

The store point button has Initialize IMU overlayed. Depending on your version of FieldGenius, you may also see a red level bubble. 

Screenshot 2024-09-26 at 10.43.30 AM

What is Happening:
The internal IMU tilt sensor on your receiver is not yet calibrated. 

Solution:

  1. Find a location with as much open sky as possible. While the receiver says RTK fixed / Initialized IMU, place the point of the pole on the ground.
  2. Without moving the point of the pole, rock the receiver back and forth, almost like you are using a hammer. Every 15-20 seconds rotate the receiver 90º.  Here is a video guide on the proper technique: S631 – Calibrating the Tilt Sensor – Survey Assistant (survey-assistant.com)
  3. If the Initialize IMU message has not disappeared after 60 seconds, invert the receiver and try again.
  4. If the Initialize IMU message has not disappeared after two attempts, call us at 1-888-286-0333.

Other Notes:

Autonomous, DGPS, Single or Float Solution - No RTK FIX

Problem:
When going to store a point, one of Auto, DGPS, Single or Float is displayed.

Symptoms:

  • Unable to get RTK fixed
  • The HDEV and VDEV are above 0.05 meters / 0.2 ft
  • The radio light is solid green rather than blinking.
  • No link or DGPS, or Auton, Single status when trying to take a shot.
  • Have random error when compared to a set of known coordinates..
Screenshot 2024-09-26 at 10.49.26 AM

What is Happening:
Your RTK receiver is not able to obtain a FIXED solution. This is either because it is not receiving corrections, or because you have not properly set your equipment up.

Solution:

  1. Ensure that you are receiving radio. The radio light should be blinking on your rover (and your base if applicable).
  2. If the radio light is not blinking one, or both receivers, follow one of the below setup guides:
    1. UHF Base and Rover Setup (Windows)
    2. UHF Base and Rover Setup (Android)
    3. Network Rover (Windows)
    4. Network Rover (Android)
  3. If the radio lights are still not flashing, call us at 1-888-286-0333.

Other Notes:

  • If you have a FLOAT solution, you may have to wait up to several minutes for a fix to resolve. For the best performance, ensure your base is as far away from trees and buildings as possible. 
  • Ensure the base station is broadcasting the latest message type. The best option is generally RTCM 3 MSM.
  • If using UHF, ensure that the radio settings match exactly between the base and rover. This includes Frequency, Channel Spacing, FEC status and Protocol.
  • If using UHF radios, ensure that you have UHF antennas with the proper frequencies attached to both receivers.

GNSS Data Not Lining Up in the Horizontal With Known Coordinates?

Problem:

When you check a known point, your GNSS coordinates do not line up with what is expected. 

Symptoms:

  • GNSS coordinates are different from known coordinates consistently in the same direction, or distance. 
  • Your displayed position is far away from the coordinates on the Map Screen.

  • When staking a known point the coordinates are off, even when the real-world position is occupied.

What is Happening:
An RTK receiver is precise, but not necessarily accurate. In order to have the data line up with known coordinates, we will have to a simple localization. 

See this video for more information on the difference between Accuracy and Precision: Minimizing Error When Setting Up RTK.

Solution:

  1. Occupy a real-world position that you know the location of and have the coordinates for.
  2. Perform a 1-Point Localization.
    1. Localization (Windows)
    2. Localization (Android)
  3. Check into a different known point if available. 
  4. If your coordinates are still not lining up, call us at 1-888-286-0333.

Other Notes:

  • If you are returning to a project on a second day and your coordinates are not lining up day to day, you will need to ensure that you properly set your base up. See the below guides. 
    1. Known Position Setup (Windows)
    2. Known Position Setup (Android)
  • It is recommended to use at least two positions. However, if doing so ensure that only one point is held in vertical.

See a Vertical Bust?

Problem:

When you check a known point, your GNSS coordinates do not line up with what is expected. 

Symptoms:

  • There is a vertical difference of 20+ m / 60 ft.
  • Alternatively there is a bust of at most only a few feet.

  • When staking a known point the coordinates are off, even when the real-world position is occupied.

What is Happening:
One of two issues are occurring, either you do not have a geoid file applied, or you need to apply a localization. 

If the error is large in the range we will need a Geoid file applied (or unapplied). To learn what a Geoid does, see this article: What is a Geoid (USGS)

If the error is in the range of a few feet we will have to a simple localization. 

See this video for more information on the difference between Accuracy and Precision: Minimizing Error When Setting Up RTK.

  • Solution (Large Error):
  1. Load the Appropriate Geoid File
    1. Geoid File (Windows)
    2. Geoid File (Android)
  2. Check into a control point. 
  3. If your coordinates are still not lining up, call us at 1-888-286-0333.

 

Other Notes:

 

Solution (Small Error):

  1. Occupy a real-world position that you know the location of and have the coordinates for.
  2. Perform a 1-Point Localization.
    1. Localization (Windows)
    2. Localization (Android)
  3. Check into a different known point if available. 
  4. If your coordinates are still not lining up, call us at 1-888-286-0333.

 

Other Notes:

  • If you are returning to a project on a second day and your coordinates are not lining up day to day, you will need to ensure that you properly set your base up. See the below guides.
    1. Known Position Setup (Windows)
    2. Known Position Setup (Android)
  • It is recommended to use at least two positions. However, if doing so ensure that only one point is held in vertical.

Can't Select Your Next Stakeout Point?

Problem:

When going to stake a point, you cannot select the next point in the usual stakeout menu. 

Symptoms:

  • When stake a point is selected you are immediately taken to the Map Screen.
  • After staking a point you do not see the choose a point menu. 

What is Happening:
The option to hide the stakeout menu has been selected. This is a quick fix. 

  • Solution (Large Error):
  1. Select the staking settings. 
  2.  Enable the stakeout menu, see this guide: Staking Screen Missing?

Why is My Height Different?

Problem:

When comparing the height between the ellipsoidal and elevation there is a difference.

Symptoms:

  • The elevation data may be displayed as two different values on the Map Screen
  • The elevation and height are different.

What is Happening:
The GPS elevation is different from the Geoid or ellipsoidal elevation. This is totally normal. 

Youtube video

Common Base Station Issues

Problem:

We see one of three different base station issues

Symptoms:

  • Distance to known coordinates is too far away.
  • Day-to-day results don’t line up, and is a constant offset.
  • Day-to-day results don’t line up, and is a random offset.
Youtube video

Known Coordinates Too Far Away

  1. This is likely down to using either the wrong kind of base setup, or wrong type of coordinates.
  2. Ensure on a first day setup you are doing either a Known Point Setup in FieldGenius Android or a Local Transformation Setup in Windows.
  3. Ensure your coordinates are in the correct format. If you are using NE ensure you are using the right units. 

Day-to-Day Results Don’t Line Up (Constant Offset)

  1. Ensure you are setting up on the same point.
  2. Ensure on a first day setup you are doing a Known Point Setup in FieldGenius, your second day setup.

Day-to-Day Results Don’t Line Up (Random Offset)

  1. Ensure you have a fixed solution.
  2. Check and see if you have performed a double local transformation setup. If so you may need to remove your localizations: Clearing Local Transformations.

Common Network Rover Issues

Problem:

We see one of the below 4 common network rover problems. 

Symptoms:

  • No Internet or Cell Service
  • Unable to Connect to the Correction Service
  • Unable to Choose your Mountpoint
  • Cannot obtain a fix
Youtube video

No Internet or Cell Service

  1. Double check your connection to the internet.
    1. If using data collector internet, try accessing a web page on the data collector browser. 
    2. If using a SIM card in the receiver, try using the SIM card in another device. Ensure that the card is still active. 

Unable to Connect to the Network

  1. Double check the URL that is set as the network address. 
  2. Check the network website to ensure that is still online. 

Unable to Choose a Mountpoint

  1. Check your username and password in your network login and ensure it is correct.

Unable to Get a Fix

  1. If you are receiving corrections but no fix check the following:
    1. That you are connected to the correct mountpoint. 
    2. Check and see the distance between the rover and the base station. 

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