Getting Started

Equipment

CASI

Communications

Gary Hallbauer

Fort Worth, Texas

Legacy Equipment Recons / Garmins

• Over time getting less and less

reliable

• Batteries have issues when device is

not used (always on with low drain)

• Soft resets not possible – must

reboot by removing the battery

• OS is outdated on the Recons

• Map76 is vulnerable to jamming

Trimble GeoXT 2008 / 3000

• About the GeoXT– Still provides workhorse dependability and all day

battery endurance

– Compatible with Windows 7 and WMDC 6.1

• Issues from 2013– Lockup – use restart procedures to be posted on

Range 2014 web site

– Screen protectors – Use compatible protectors

only – anything else and the stylus won’t interact

with the touch screen

Trimble GeoXT 2008 / 3000

• SD card issues from 2013– Lockup issues caused when CASI attempts to

write/save to the SD card

– Resolutions

• Save more frequently – at half way point of transect for

any protocol, completion of a protocol, etc.

• Restart GeoXT at beginning of work day

• Remove SD card, re-insert card, restart GeoXT, reopen

CASI

Trimble GeoXT 2008 / 3000

• Windows Mobile Device Center issues from 2013

– Disable Advanced Network Functionality in Settings >

Connection Settings > USB to PC

– Request ITS turn off connections to Bluetooth/Serial in

Mobile Device Center

Trimble GeoXT 2008 / 3000

Screen protectors are available from a

number of web sources including the

Trimble Store

– https://store.trimble.com/OA_HTML/ibeCCtpIt

mDspRte.jsp?item=201978&section=48138

– Be sure they are sized correctly – look for 3.5

inch protectors

– Incorrect size may result in loss of touch

screen compatibility

– Install correctly – follow instructions

3D ProXYZ• AKA Juniper Archer PDA / Hemisphere XF101 GPS

– Some dependability issues related to data storage, battery

life, and maintenance

– These are mitigated by using every opportunity to charge the

receiver (AC or auto adapter); by doing a soft reset every day;

and backing up data to the included SD card frequently

• The XF-101 GPS receiver is discontinued and the

manufacturer no longer supports the GPS receiver

• The Archer is now also discontinued

– Discontinuation of support expected this CY

3D ProXYZ• The 2013 Archer connection issues with NRCS Win7

computers is resolved

– Install approved OS patch to change how the device

is recognized and connected to the host workstation

– Must also turn off Advanced Network Functionality

• Archer battery & accessory sources

– Juniper Systems

• http://www.junipersys.com/Juniper-Systems-Rugged-

Handheld-Computers/products/Archer-Field-PC/Accessories

– Wind Environmental

• http://store.windenvironmental.com/index.php?productID=581

– 3D Marketing, LLC

• http://www.3d-mktg.com/page.asp?navid=9&pageid=9

Trimble Nomad GL 900

• Accuracy is comparable to Garmin

Map76 (3 to 5 M) and meets or exceeds

NRI positioning and navigation

requirements

• Ran the 2013 CASI

• Mainly used in Nevada

• Be sure to turn off Advanced Network

Functionality

Trimble GeoXT 6000

• High precision, GPS + GLONASS

• Ran the 2013 CASI

– Maine, New Jersey, Minnesota

– 2014 - Missouri

• Must also turn off Advanced Network

Functionality in Start > Settings >

Connections > USB to PC

• Required to download / install CASI; download /

return segments

• For systems running XP or XP Thin

– Microsoft ActiveSync 4.51

• For systems running Windows 7

– Windows Mobile Device Center 6.1

– Approved for NRCS workstations / laptops

– Get ITS to change current settings to USB only

• See posted support notes to get started after

installation

Connecting the field PC to a workstation in 2014

• Readying Field PCs

– Inspect device and fully charge batteries – leave on

trickle charge when in office

– Press on/off switch, if no response, hold down on/off

switch (5 seconds or longer) to start Soft Reboot

– Call or email for help if needed

– Download and install 2014 CASI per posted

instructions: – http://www.nrisurvey.org/nrcs/Grazingland/2014/index.html

NRI Grazing Land Survey version (TBD) CAB

– Install CASI and Test before going to field

Ready, set, GO!

Readying Field PCs, continued

• Install and use screen protectors

• Return segments if device is not used or is

repurposed

• Back up frequently

• Preserve power by shutting down completely over

weekends (especially holiday weekends)

• Check all power accessories such as adapters,

support modules, etc.

• Obtain vehicle power adapters if possible and use

them to ‘top off’ batteries

• Soil Stability kits

– Check screens (corrosion)

– Water (distilled or RO)

– Order replacement kits

• http://www.countgrass.com/buy-tools/soil-stability-kit

• Survey rod or pasture stick for height measurements

– Ensure scales are readable

– Folding rulers are pretty handy too

Other field tools

• Tape measures, 150’ (Inst. – Ch. 3)

– Inspect current equipment and replace if needed

– Substitute 200’ if you can’t find 150’

• Pins (survey arrows) – Forestry Suppliers

– Used to tie down transect ends, center, and keep tape from flapping in the wind

– Minimum of 11, replace lost / broken

• Digging tools

– Drain spades/shovels - clean & inspect

Other field tools

• Scale (weigh clipping samples)– Inspect current equipment and replace if needed

– Check calibration

• Digital camera– Check memory card and imager with test shots

• Clipboard / whiteboard–transect endpoint labeling– Substitute other media but be sure that writing supplies

are in good order and practice to make writing visible

• Compass – sighting is best

• Clinometer – measuring slope %

Other field tools

Installation of the CASI

On the Field PC

Installation for 2014

1. Installation of Field PC CASI is simple as copy, paste, and run.

• The Field PC version of the CASI will be installed on the Field PC (not from the

host PC as in the past years)-

• A CAB (cabinet) file is copied to the Field PC where installation is then conducted

– No IT personnel are required.

• The desktop version of CASI for the Web does not require IT installation

2. Moving segments is still accomplished through Desktop PC using

ActiveSync/WMDC and a USB cable connected to Field PC.

• Active Sync/WMDC is approved for CCE computers – considered Microsoft logo software.

Contractors using Vista or Windows 7 computers need Windows Device Manager (see notes)

• Exception: Field PCs equipped with Wi-Fi can download software and access segments

directly from the web – no host PC required (coffee at McDonalds anyone?)

3. Dot Net 2.0 is still required for 2004 Recon. WM 5 & 6 ProXYZ may need

newer, newer Trimble equipment already has an updated version of Dot Net.

Installation via PC equipped with Active Sync - Overview

Step 1. Download CAB file to host (desktop) PC equipped with Active Sync.

• CAB file can be downloaded from:

http://www.nrisurvey.org/nrcs/Grazingland/2014/index.html

• Make sure you get the 2014 NRI Grazing Land CASI - CAB file

Step 2. Save the CAB file to a known location on host PC – normally download directory.

Step 3. Transfer the CAB file to the field PC. With ActiveSync this is copy/paste.

Step 4. From the Field PC, tap on the file name and install the CASI to the Field PC.

Step 3 -Transfer the install CAB files from

the PC to the Field PC

Establish a connection between the Field PC

and the host desktop PC via Active Sync.

In the ActiveSync window on the PC:

• Click on Explore

• Go to the directory on the PC where you

saved the CAB file from Step 2.

• Change the address to explore in the PC.

• Right click on the cab file and select copy

from the pull-down menu.

• Change the file explorer address back to

mobile device

• Right click and from the edit menu select

paste.

• This is a one way trip and we’ll ‘Leave No

Trace’ – be sure to implement Step 5.

The CAB file will be now be copied

from the PC to the Field PC and will

normally be copied to the My

Documents directory on the Field PC.

Recommendation – create NRI2014

folder on SD card and place a copy at

that location.

Step 4 - Install the CASI to the Field PC

On the Field PC:

• Tap on the Windows flag (upper left corner)

• Select File Explorer

• Locate the Cab file (normally file explorer will

default to my documents where we placed the

file in step 3).

• Tap on the Cab File

The CAB file will now install the 2014 Grazing Land

CASI on the Field PC.

Once installation is complete tap ‘OK’ then ‘Start’ –

the NRI Grazing Land Survey program may appear in

the Start menu. If not tap on ‘Start’ then ‘Programs’.

Find the ‘NRI Grazing Land…’ icon and tap.

Step 5 – Delete the CASI *.CAB file from the field PC

Once a successful install is verified - on the Field PC:

• Tap on the Windows flag (upper left corner)

• Select File Explorer

• Locate the Cab file (same location where you placed it in

Step 3).

• Tap and hold on the Cab File until a context menu appears

• Select and tap on Delete

• Eliminates a potential security issue related to movement of

executable installation files and future connections of the

device to USDA workstations

Communication with

CSSM Server

Communication

• Upload and Download of Segments is

now accomplished on the Field PC

screen.

• The Field PC must still be connected to

the host (desktop PC) via ActiveSync or

WMDC and a USB cable.

• If WI-FI is used you do not need a host

PC or the Field PC interface software.

However, access to WI-FI is limited in

many parts of the country.

• Test connectivity by opening a session of

IE and browsing to a site (NRCS or

USDA)

ActiveSync Connection – Host PC

CASI – communication button – Field PC

Communication

• Communication works the same as last year

•The Field PC devices must still be registered

the first time they access the server

•Field PC will default to login (registration) on

first use.

•If you are using new equipment, you must

provide the serial number and model to

CSSM to authorize the equipment for the

data collection

•If no serial number on record at CSSM then

REGISTER WILL NOT WORK

•Send serial numbers to the NRI Grazing

Land Help Desk (nri-graze-help@iastate.edu)

Communication Window in CASI,

not menu at bottom of screen

includes:

Login (registration)

Check out

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