GPS TRK Surveying Equipment
Professional surveyors use specialized equipment that
coordinates their positions on the ground with Global
Positioning System (GPS) satellites. This equipment is
referred as a GPS Real Time Kinematics (RTK) system.
The works with the Global Navigation Satellite System, or
GNSS, so it is also sometimes called a GNSS surveyor.
These typically consist of a base unit and one or more
remote units or 'rovers'. Different surveyors use them
different ways. Some take them to a survey site, set
up the base unit, and then operate around the unit.
Other companies simply place the base unit in their office
and take the rover out into the field. Some entities
only use these systems locally (city and county public works
or buildings personnel) or statewide (state roads
departments). Private companies operate in a wider
area, and some even work nationwide.
There are several systems in use. Those that we
know of are made by TopCon, Trimble, Pacific Crest, Spectra
Precision, Magellan, NovAtel, Leica, Sokkia, Satelline,
NavCon, Tripod Data Systems, Pacific Survey, and many
others. Most of them use UHF or VHF frequencies to
communicate between the master unit and the rover.
While an FCC license is not required for the GPS portion of
the system, operation on the UHF or VHF frequencies does
indeed require an FCC license. What type of license is
applicable depends on the entity using the equipment.
City, county, and state users must be licensed for
Public Safety
frequencies. These have no FCC fees, and better
interference protection and less interference potential, but
they have higher coordination criteria and therefore higher
frequency coordination costs and longer coordination times.
Private enterprise users would obtain a
Business/Industrial
license. These have an attendant FCC fee, but the
coordination costs are lower and coordination times are
often faster.
GPS RTK systems can operate either simplex (a single
frequency between the base and the rover, only one unit can
transmit at a time) or duplex (both transmit simultaneously
on two different frequencies). Some systems come
preprogrammed, others do not. The number of
frequencies that may be programmed depends on the
manufacturer; (for example, Trimble units typically can hold
up to 16 frequencies); however, most users do not need all
sixteen. If your unit comes preprogrammed with
frequencies, you still need to get a radio license before
you can use the unit. Failure to
obtain a license before using your system can incur a
substantial FCC penalty fine of $8000 per day!
In order to provide an accurate licensing cost to our
customers, applicants need to provide the following
information: what type of entity you are
(governmental, corporation (taxable or tax-exempt), LLC, LP,
consortium, et cetera), where you intend on operating,
whether you will use the system in duplex or simplex mode,
and how many frequencies you need. If you do not know
certain information (such as duplex versus simplex), then
give us your dealer's name and number and your equipment
model number and will will call them to verify.
To license your RTK GPS/GNSS surveying system, contact us to get started.
Personal Surveying Equipment
People that spend a lot of time working
in the rural or remote parts of the United States have two
radio services available to them. These could be
thought of as "Personal Surveying Equipment."
An item that has become almost a daily
necessity these days is the handheld GPS device. There
has been an explosion of development of personal location
products. Companies like Garmin, Tom Tom, and Magellan
all offer similar units, and models such as the Garmin Rino
double as portable radios both for communication and to
transmit waypoint information. These come
preprogrammed with FRS frequencies, which means they are
limited to 1/2 watt. However, they can be unlocked by
the manufacturer to transmit at higher power over longer
distances, but only if you can provide proof that you have a
GMRS license.
These devices are used to perform aerial surveys of local
features using RC aircraft, measure radio tower site
locations, provide clients directions to construction sites,
and myriad other uses. As time goes on, their use is
sure to increase.
Maybe you know where you are at, but
nobody else does. Maybe you are lost or injured.
Now is when you need a
Personal Locator
Beacon or PLB. PLB service is a 406 MHz radio beacon that
is used by anyone that works in remote locations to help
search and rescue (SAR) units locate them in an emergency. A PLB, when activated, transmits a unique
signal to the COSPAS-SARSAT satellite system that can be
identified with you and traced in an emergency. This
signal is an internationally-recognized signal, and is
monitored in the United States by NOAA and the Air Force.
These devices should be mandatory on any excursion into
roadless areas, where avalanches are likely, or where a fall
is possible. Use of a PLB does not require an FCC radio license, but it
does require a mandatory registration with NOAA.
RLS can register your PLB and
license your GPS and get you ready to take on the outdoors
in safety.
Contact us to get started.
