My RTK Surveyor SMA connector has come off the board. I have tried to initiate a RMA but have been informed i need to put this in the forum first. My unit is out of warranty and i purchased through Core Electronics in Australia. I am happy to pay for it to be repaired. What other information do you require from me to initiate a repair/quote to repair? Thanks, Brendon
Hi @bmit0111 ,
Please have a read through the post linked below. Perhaps you can repair the unit yourself, or have it done locally? If you would still like to have the repair done by SparkFun, please let us know. (We’re aware you’re in AUS.)
I hope this helps,
Paul
Hi Paul,
Thanks for the quick response. I did see the other posts but i think i would prefer to send it for repair. I actually have two units - one the SMA has broken off the other won’t get satellites and doesn’t appear to have any voltage going to the SMA. I would like to initiate repairs for both units please.
Thanks,
Brendon
Hi Brendon (@bmit0111 ),
Let me check with my colleagues in the office - just in case there are any shipping restrictions we both need to be aware of.
But, to get the ball rolling, please start a return. You purchased from Core Electronics, so please mention that in the Order Number. Please include “Quote for repair” and a link to this conversation in the “Reason” box.
Best wishes,
Paul
I had the same problem:
Got the repaired unit today. RF seems to be working very well - in an open field I was seeing 32 sats, using 24 of them and getting uncertainties of under 1’ (which I’ve never seen before, usually at best a bit less than 3’).
However, there is a significant problem: the hole for the SMA connector was drilled out for 0.375, which is bigger than the widest part of the SMA connector which expects a 0.250" hole. See attached photo…
The 2 lockwasher diameters measure 0.372 and 0.400 (two different styles), hence can’t grab both sides of the panel - as I discovered when I went to attach my antenna connector. With the connector off center in the oversized hole you do get “grab” along half the hole, but it wiggles sideways very easily and then falls out…
I’ll try turning a “goof hole plug” with a flattened top to clear the clam-shell (only ~ 0.020 panel clearance)
The other approach I’m sketching is making a glue-on piece.
If neither works out then I could mill a complete panel out of some aluminum sheet.
Which I solved by:
Turned a pair of “goof hole washers” out of 1/2" Al rod, see attached picture, and the problem is solved.
OD of boss is 0.360 (the .375 hole in the panel wasn’t perfectly round).
Boss thickness 0.050, a bit less than the thickness of the panel
OD of the washer is 0.475
with flat to clear clamshell
also had to file flats on the two sides (not shown in photo) to clear the PCB
Washers 0.050 thick (not counting the boss) so overall thickness ~ 0.150
had to leave out the lock washers to leave enough protrusion for the cable connector
Nice work! I’m less dedicated and default to hot glue in situations like these lol