We are once again getting to that time of year - time to start thinking about the next busy season in the fields! To help prepare for this, HTS is once again hosting training sessions built around getting you ready for the field. This is a great chance to meet technical staff from Ag Leader, as well as get any questions you have answered. Below are the details.
Wednesday, August 5th - Harlan, Iowa
Wednesday, August 12th - Story City, Iowa
9:00 AM - 3:30 PM -- Lunch Provided
Hands on demonstrations of Yield Monitors, Autopilot, DirectCommand and SeedCommand.
Topics include:
►Harvest Edge
►Harvest Insight
►NH3
►SeedCommand, DirectCommand, GPS & Guidance
►SMS Desktop & Mobile Software
►New Ag Leader Electric ClutchRegistration Deadline is August 3rd. Please register by calling 800-741-3305 or email gpsinfo@htsag.com or REGISTER HERE online.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Monday, July 20, 2009
IaRTN update
Below is the lastest e-mail I received from the Iowa DOT about the RTN. Sounds like the problem is rooted pretty deeply. I disagree with the statement about "networks world-wide that are experiencing somewhat similar problems." I spoke in depth with a collegue last week running on the Ohio DOT network with none of these problems.
There isn't a lot to report on the progress to determine the cause or resolution of the current issue. Leica Geosystems reference station personnel have been here, and their testing has not been able to find any problems in their firmware, software and hardware. It appears that is not just an issue with the IaRTN, and there are networks world-wide that are experiencing somewhat similar problems. Therefore Leica has turned their focus on outside influences.
In order to try to find commonalities of the problem, Leica would like specific user feedback on the problems encountered in the field. I will be forwarding each of you later this week, a list of specific details that Leica would like to get from every user experiencing any issues.
I had hoped this issue could be resolved quickly, but it may take some time.
There doesn't appear to be much that can be done to help the initialization problem. We suggest performing GPS planning (due to the periods of low satellite numbers and poor geometry), using single baseline RTK (especially for vertical repeatability), and prudent checking of results (both vertical & horizontal). Good surveying practice and knowing the limitations of your GPS equipment, will determine whether use of the IaRTN or a conventional base radio setup is warranted during this period.
Hopefully Leica can get the problems resolved on this network soon.
There isn't a lot to report on the progress to determine the cause or resolution of the current issue. Leica Geosystems reference station personnel have been here, and their testing has not been able to find any problems in their firmware, software and hardware. It appears that is not just an issue with the IaRTN, and there are networks world-wide that are experiencing somewhat similar problems. Therefore Leica has turned their focus on outside influences.
In order to try to find commonalities of the problem, Leica would like specific user feedback on the problems encountered in the field. I will be forwarding each of you later this week, a list of specific details that Leica would like to get from every user experiencing any issues.
I had hoped this issue could be resolved quickly, but it may take some time.
There doesn't appear to be much that can be done to help the initialization problem. We suggest performing GPS planning (due to the periods of low satellite numbers and poor geometry), using single baseline RTK (especially for vertical repeatability), and prudent checking of results (both vertical & horizontal). Good surveying practice and knowing the limitations of your GPS equipment, will determine whether use of the IaRTN or a conventional base radio setup is warranted during this period.
Hopefully Leica can get the problems resolved on this network soon.
Friday, July 17, 2009
A great week at the InfoAg Conference
I have just concluded a great week at the InfoAg Conference in Springfield, Illinois. There were over 550 people in attendance this week from all over the world, and some very good information presented.
I was very honored to be invited as a speaker this week, and gave a presentation about the Iowa RTN. This was a pretty comfortable topic for me with all of the testing and research I have done this spring. My presentation was the first part of a split session with Tim Norris, owner of Agronomic Information Technologies in Ohio. Tim presented information about his experience with the Ohio DOT network. It was great to hear his presentation, and it was also wonderful to catch up with him and visit about our experiences using very similar technologies on different networks.
Lots of new product information was announced, including planned developments, new information about some products that have been previously announced, and some new vendor alliances in the industry.
This conference was also a great opportunity to network with vendors and other service providers in the Precision Ag Industry - sort of a "class reunion" for some of us.
One of my collegues made the comment that we are entering into "Precision Ag 2.0" meaning that we are near seeing the industry revolutionized, and capturing and processing the data seemed to be the common theme among several at the conference. I agree with this train of thought, that we will see a whole new set of tools and uses in the industry, but I would argue that this would be Precision Ag 3.0 as the industry has already made some great and rapid changes since the first days of the yield monitor.
One thing is for sure, this is an exciting industry to be around, and we are going to see some great things down the road!
I was very honored to be invited as a speaker this week, and gave a presentation about the Iowa RTN. This was a pretty comfortable topic for me with all of the testing and research I have done this spring. My presentation was the first part of a split session with Tim Norris, owner of Agronomic Information Technologies in Ohio. Tim presented information about his experience with the Ohio DOT network. It was great to hear his presentation, and it was also wonderful to catch up with him and visit about our experiences using very similar technologies on different networks.
Lots of new product information was announced, including planned developments, new information about some products that have been previously announced, and some new vendor alliances in the industry.
This conference was also a great opportunity to network with vendors and other service providers in the Precision Ag Industry - sort of a "class reunion" for some of us.
One of my collegues made the comment that we are entering into "Precision Ag 2.0" meaning that we are near seeing the industry revolutionized, and capturing and processing the data seemed to be the common theme among several at the conference. I agree with this train of thought, that we will see a whole new set of tools and uses in the industry, but I would argue that this would be Precision Ag 3.0 as the industry has already made some great and rapid changes since the first days of the yield monitor.
One thing is for sure, this is an exciting industry to be around, and we are going to see some great things down the road!
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Ag Leader Academy
Ground was recently broke in Ames, IA to start the building of Ag Leader Academy, a 25,000 square-foot facility dedicated to providing the ag industry with specialized, hands-on training of precision farming systems.
There are never too many ways or places to learn more about the industry and the products you are using. I am personally very excited about this announcement, as this shows Ag Leader's commitment to the Precision Ag industry and will also assist in the training of both new customers and new staff to the industry. You can read the whole story at http://www.agleader.com/docs/press/release-training-center.pdf
There are never too many ways or places to learn more about the industry and the products you are using. I am personally very excited about this announcement, as this shows Ag Leader's commitment to the Precision Ag industry and will also assist in the training of both new customers and new staff to the industry. You can read the whole story at http://www.agleader.com/docs/press/release-training-center.pdf
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Iowa RTN Problems?
Below is straight off the Iowa RTN website http://www.iowadot.gov/rtn/
It looks to me like there are some issues yet to be worked out, which relates exactly to what I have been seeing all spring running this network.
(see previous post - http://htsag.blogspot.com/2009/06/finally-finished.html )
IaRTN users have reported having problems with initialization, frequent base changes and shot repeatability the last couple of weeks. We are and have been working with the end-users reporting this issue and Leica Geosystems to determine the cause and resolution of this issue. We suggest you evaluate the impact this issue may cause your surveying operations.
When using the IaRTN, please use the nearest option which will direct your equipment to the nearest base station minimizing errors due to baseline distance. A list of the Nearest data products on the IaRTN are listed below for you selection.
NTRIP Port 10000
RTCM3_NEAR (GPS+Glonass Solution)
RTCM2_NEAR - (GPS Solution)
CMR_NEAR - (GPS Solution)
CMRP_NEAR - (GPS Solution)
TCP/IP, GPUID Ports
RTCM 2.3 (GPS) 11002
CMR (GPS) 11003
CMRP (GPS) 11004
As a sound survey practice, make sure you check the repeatability of your shots as well. Another suggestion, if you may deem it appropriate, is to use your conventional GPS base until we get this issue resolved.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, and we will keep you updated on the progress of the resolution of this issue.
It looks to me like there are some issues yet to be worked out, which relates exactly to what I have been seeing all spring running this network.
(see previous post - http://htsag.blogspot.com/2009/06/finally-finished.html )
IaRTN users have reported having problems with initialization, frequent base changes and shot repeatability the last couple of weeks. We are and have been working with the end-users reporting this issue and Leica Geosystems to determine the cause and resolution of this issue. We suggest you evaluate the impact this issue may cause your surveying operations.
When using the IaRTN, please use the nearest option which will direct your equipment to the nearest base station minimizing errors due to baseline distance. A list of the Nearest data products on the IaRTN are listed below for you selection.
NTRIP Port 10000
RTCM3_NEAR (GPS+Glonass Solution)
RTCM2_NEAR - (GPS Solution)
CMR_NEAR - (GPS Solution)
CMRP_NEAR - (GPS Solution)
TCP/IP, GPUID Ports
RTCM 2.3 (GPS) 11002
CMR (GPS) 11003
CMRP (GPS) 11004
As a sound survey practice, make sure you check the repeatability of your shots as well. Another suggestion, if you may deem it appropriate, is to use your conventional GPS base until we get this issue resolved.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, and we will keep you updated on the progress of the resolution of this issue.
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