Base station to N-trip

[Eddy6170]

Would anyone have an opportunity to test an external antenna at the AGI-4 receiver? Since it seems no support from Topcon coming, it would be useful to eliminate the internal antenna performance from the list of possible issues. Just guessing based on the greenstar products that had to be changed because of sensitivity to 5G interference.

I find it unlikely that 5G interference would be an issue in the middle of a large field with clear sky view but who knows if a critical number of GPS satellites appear at a very low elevation?

Another guess would be Topcon sensitivity to GPS modernisation. No idea if the new signals at higher power too could confuse it. Nothing that could be done with this really, a SW update might solve it in the best case but seems the last SW update was released years ago.

If Topcon wants to stay in the business and continue selling new products, they would need to come with a clear message. I might purchase their new GNSS receiver but not if they show zero support for a product that was sold new just a few years ago (less than 5?). Gives zero confidence to their new products.

My backup plan is to use my AgOpenGPS GNSS receiver as a temporary source for the Topcon/AGCO screen. It should be very simple if terrain compensation was ignored. At the AgOpenGPS group, some experts are working on a solution to even integrate terrain compensation and gyro and provide a generic corrected NMEA stream. A less than £200 solution to replace the AGI-4 completely. Really a pity if/when AOG gives better support for their "competitors" than the actual product manufacturers can provide.

Both of mine have external antennas on them. It looks like this may be quite a big problem. I will have another word with lh see what's going on. I don't think we will have much joy going forward bearing in mind it has been a problem since Christmas.

 

[Mr Pea]

My Receiver has an external Antenna fitted. (It was fitted when it had the NTRIP Modem installed)

I sowed all the winter wheat in October without any issues (except close to some extremely tall trees) Tractor parked up all winter under cover. Started Spring sowing yesterday and 4 or 5 times RTK dropped out and went into Float RTK. When the Barley comes up, it will look like Jeremy Clarkson has sown it.

 

[Eddy6170]

My Receiver has an external Antenna fitted. (It was fitted when it had the NTRIP Modem installed)

I sowed all the winter wheat in October without any issues (except close to some extremely tall trees) Tractor parked up all winter under cover. Started Spring sowing yesterday and 4 or 5 times RTK dropped out and went into Float RTK. When the Barley comes up, it will look like Jeremy Clarkson has sown it.

We had a few problems in the autumn drilling etc but was sort of OK. I wasn't overly happy with it tho tbh. We did some late drilling at Christmas (osr failed) it was not worth using then. Always in float in a 200ac field....
. Are you with lh agro?

 

[Mr Pea]

No, I'm not with LH Agro. Peacock and Binnington fitted the X30 Topcon Screen to the Massey Tractor, and I think Nick Abbey installed the Modem and set it all up

 

[Eddy6170]

No, I'm not with LH Agro. Peacock and Binnington fitted the X30 Topcon Screen to the Massey Tractor, and I think Nick Abbey installed the Modem and set it all up

OK let me know if you get anywhere with it. I will if I do.

 

[Northern farmer]

Are you talking about the NTRIP modem antenna? The external NTRIP antenna is the only option, internal NTRIP antenna does not exist with AGI-4. I was after the GNSS antenna. The AGI-4 has an N-type (if I remember right) coax connector for an external GNSS antenna.

 

[Eddy6170]

Are you talking about the NTRIP modem antenna? The external NTRIP antenna is the only option, internal NTRIP antenna does not exist with AGI-4. I was after the GNSS antenna. The AGI-4 has an N-type (if I remember right) coax connector for an external GNSS antenna.

Yes the modem antenna I'm talking about. Is there another one? The one with internal modem has one on the side with the coax connection.

 

[Eddy6170]

Yes the modem antenna I'm talking about. Is there another one? The one with internal modem has one on the side with the coax connection.

 

[Northern farmer]

Yes the modem antenna I'm talking about. Is there another one? The one with internal modem has one on the side with the coax connection.

Sure the receiver has the "main" antenna under the dome, the antenna that receives GPS and Glonass signals. On your photo to the right (next to the wiring harness) you can see the external GNSS antenna connector. The NTRIP antenna connector is TNC type, the other one is bigger.

 

[Eddy6170]

Sure the receiver has the "main" antenna under the dome, the antenna that receives GPS and Glonass signals. On your photo to the right (next to the wiring harness) you can see the external GNSS antenna connector. The NTRIP antenna connector is TNC type, the other one is bigger.

I would be willing to try one if that is the case I thought that was the diagnostic plug. Exactly what antenna would I need for that and where would I get one from? I will have a look at the one back at home in a bit see what type connection it is under that cap.

 

[Eddy6170]

Sure the receiver has the "main" antenna under the dome, the antenna that receives GPS and Glonass signals. On your photo to the right (next to the wiring harness) you can see the external GNSS antenna connector. The NTRIP antenna connector is TNC type, the other one is bigger.

Yes just had a look and you are correct as it has a dome with a picture of a satellite above it. But not sure what to get or where to get it from.

 

[Eddy6170]

Sure the receiver has the "main" antenna under the dome, the antenna that receives GPS and Glonass signals. On your photo to the right (next to the wiring harness) you can see the external GNSS antenna connector. The NTRIP antenna connector is TNC type, the other one is bigger.

 

[Northern farmer]

It would need to be a decent dual frequency antenna. Something like this:

Budget Survey Tripleband GNSS Antenna (IP66)

Low cost Survey tripleband GNSS antenna receiving L1/L2/L5, with TNC connector and 2.5m cable terminated with SMA male connector.

www.ardusimple.com

with a TNC to N adapter or a TNC-N cable.

I don't think it makes sense to purchase one just to try as long as it is all guesswork if it makes any difference.

 

[Eddy6170]

It would need to be a decent dual frequency antenna. Something like this:

Budget Survey Tripleband GNSS Antenna (IP66)

Low cost Survey tripleband GNSS antenna receiving L1/L2/L5, with TNC connector and 2.5m cable terminated with SMA male connector.

www.ardusimple.com

with a TNC to N adapter or a TNC-N cable.

I don't think it makes sense to purchase one just to try as long as it is all guesswork if it makes any difference.

Yes I see what you mean. But running out of options. What makes you think that could be a problem? It was dropping out again today but all cell and rtk diagnosis was fine.

 

[Northern farmer]

Yes I see what you mean. But running out of options. What makes you think that could be a problem? It was dropping out again today but all cell and rtk diagnosis was fine.

I have not studied the details, just thinking it could be something that killed those older JD receivers. They said 5G interference was their issue and I assumed the only way the later models could cope with that would be an antenna with better selectivity.

 

[Eddy6170]

I have not studied the details, just thinking it could be something that killed those older JD receivers. They said 5G interference was their issue and I assumed the only way the later models could cope with that would be an antenna with better selectivity.

It might be worth a go. Is there not any topcon experts on this forum.... it's a bit of a worry when the dealer has no idea what it is. Its definitely something that has changed in the last 4 or 5 months.

 

[Arceye]

Yes I see what you mean. But running out of options. What makes you think that could be a problem? It was dropping out again today but all cell and rtk diagnosis was fine.

Exactly the same here in S Norfolk, topcon on a 6713. Any UK suppliers of antennae suggested? Mine is 8 yr old probably a bit naff, certainly sounds crunchy when it's bent. I took it off and it made no difference to the signal.

 

[Eddy6170]

Exactly the same here in S Norfolk, topcon on a 6713. Any UK suppliers of antennae suggested? Mine is 8 yr old probably a bit naff, certainly sounds crunchy when it's bent. I took it off and it made no difference to the signal.

Are you on rtk?

 

[Arceye]

Are you on rtk?

Yes, I was with RTKF but now trying LH in an attempt to improve the backup and signal(?). I'm 9.5 km from the base and usually about -80dB. Dropouts and float rtk make it a bit pointless. Tried a JD 6000 receiver and it was spot on all day long every day without having to fork out £650 every year.

 

[Eddy6170]

Yes, I was with RTKF but now trying LH in an attempt to improve the backup and signal(?). I'm 9.5 km from the base and usually about -80dB. Dropouts and float rtk make it a bit pointless. Tried a JD 6000 receiver and it was spot on all day long every day without having to fork out £650 every year.we

We are on lh signal but tried sn rtkf farming but both just as bad. I would say the rtkf is slightly better. Are lh coming up with any thing to why it is not working? As they haven't with me yet. The signal always stays on it is satellite based why ours drops out.