My RTK Surveyor’s SMA connector has come loose from the board.
The solder connections along each side of the connector body and to the center pin have failed; the connector is completely separated from the board.
Any tips on how to repair it (or get it repaired).
Wonderful instrument that has been very useful!
I had a similar problem, but with the u.fl antenna connector instead of the SMA connector.
So I cut the u.fl connector end off of the u.fl to SMA antenna pigtail, stripped off the insulation on the shield and center conductors, and soldered them to what was left of the remaining ground and signal traces on the module. Worked as intended as a last ditch repair.
So you might try and get a pigtail that has a SMA connector on one end and stripped wires on the other end and solder the stripped wires to the appropriate remaining traces on the module as a possible means of repair.
Regards,
TCIII
Hi @fgfletcher - Sorry to hear it got damaged! You are welcome to start a return for repair. The repair price is $150. TCIII does a good job summarizing the fix we do: we’ll cut out the PCB area where the SMA was residing to make room on the panel for a new SMA connector. We’ll cut off the U.FL connector on an SMA cable, strip and then solder the inner wires to two points on the board for the RF path. The ESD protection diode is the usual spot (shown below). Then we test everything to confirm the RF is good, glue the cable down for stress relief, and then close the unit back up and do a series of checkout tests. The SMA connection ends up being just as strong, or stronger, than the original SMA, but requires a bit of SMD soldering. You are welcome to do the fix yourself, or have us do it. We’re here to help.
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I would much prefer to have SparkFun fix it !
It is much too useful and valuable a tool for me to attempt a clumsy repair.
I logged in to my account (garth@jacqcad.com) via the “return for
repair” link in your email, but it does list any purchases.
However, from my email records:
Order #6499673
Order date: Saturday, February 20, 2021
included the SparkFun RTK Surveyor
https://www.sparkfun.com/products/17369 (SPX-17369)
along with several accessories.
I also don’t see any serial number, other than the 2977 engraved in both
insides of the plasic clamshell.
Perhaps it is under the glued-in battery?
Anyway, I have requested a RMA. The request form is a bit confusing
since it does not mention anything about repairs.
Presumably the RMA will come with instructions about where to mail it
and how to pay.
It has been a wonderful and vital instrument which made possible my Town
mapping project - accurately locating 30+ town line monuments (USGS maps
were off by more than 200 feet on one corner), 350+ town culverts, 16+
miles of Conservation trails, etc.
Cordially,
Garth Fletcher
288 Marcel Road
Mason, NH 03048-4704
(603) 878-4749
No worries! Happy to help. Sounds like you’ve got the return rolling. We’ll jump on it once we see it.
Thanks Sparky.
I have not received an RMA number yet…
Once that arrives I’ll ship the Surveyor immediately to you.
Garth Fletcher