Spark RTK Torch won't go into WiFi configuration

I’m getting a little frustrated trying to connect to my new Torch. Bluetooth works fine in SW Maps. The problem is trying to get into RTK Config. I’ve been able to connect successfully via WiFi on my iPhone, once. It took a bazillion tries to get the Torch to go into Wifi mode. Now I wanted to check and see if my changes stuck (I made two changes - order of priority for checking RTK method and I checked the box for Auto Key Renewal), and I can’t get the Torch to go back into WiFi mode.

I have a Mac laptop, an iPhone and an Android tablet and I’ve tried them all using the USB-C cable, but I can’t figure out how to access the RTK Config that way.

After power up on the Torch, I click the power button twice and the Torch beeps twice. But the RTK Config network won’t show up on any of my devices. I’ve tried successive pushes, and powering down and back up, but the network won’t show up. I get simplicity, but there is no indication on the Torch that I can see, to tell me what mode it’s in.

Is this device defective? Shouldn’t be this finicky.

Thanks,

Erik

I haven’t used WiFi Config mode in a long time on my Torch, so I just tried it.

My Torch is running V2.2

My windows PC didn’t find the RTK Config SSID, even after turning WiFi On/OFF on the PC a few times. My iPhone did connect to the RTK Config XXXX successfully, and so did a few Android tablets. Eventually, the RTK SSID did appear on my PC.

It sounds to me that you’re doing everything correctly.
I power up the Torch and wait about 30 seconds before double clicking (& get 2 beeps for confirmation).

FWIW, I much prefer using a Terminal for a serial connection to adjust any settings. That might be your next path to reset to factory defaults, if you can’t get connected via WiFi.

I wish I could use the serial interface. I don’t own a windows machine. I can’t find any instructions for connecting via USB to either my iPhone or the Android tablet. The instructions on the Spark website assumes a windows machine. Still can’t get the Torch’s SSID to appear again.

For Android Tablet I use Serial USB Terminal .

115200 Baud Rate, connect to Port 2, send +++ [Edit: press any key] and you should see the Config Menu in the Terminal. It’s not required- but once you setup your favorite HotKeys…making config changes goes very fast.

There is a similar app for Bluetooth connection, but IIRC a few config settings cant be accomplished when connected via Bluetooth.

Ok, I downloaded Serial USB Terminal, and with that, discovered that the cable Sparkfun sent only charges. I couldn’t get it to connect to terminal after numerous unplugging and plugging. I swapped it for another USB-C cable and it connected right away.

The serial connection is clunky, but I was able to navigate the menus and confirmed my settings stuck from the one time I could connect via WiFi. I tried putting in the SSID and password to my network, but it wouldn’t connect, so I just took it out. Hopefully once I connect the tablet to my phone via wifi and the torch to the tablet via bluetooth, the torch will be able to obtain the Point Perfect IP corrections. One thing at a time.

The Torch I received has firmware v. 2.1. I’m not sure how to update it on the tablet. Maybe 2.1 is fine, or maybe that’s why the wifi interface is flaky. Not sure.

Thanks. This got me much further along. Once my Point Perfect subscription starts, I’ll be able to see if the horizontal accuracy comes down from 4.5 feet.

Erik

1 Like

FWIW, I much prefer PointPerfect NTRIP (OSR not SSR for most situations) instead of IP delivery.
An iPhone (with data collection app handling the NTRIP) connected to any SparkFun RTK is my SOP.

1 Like

Well, I’m not really sure what kind of data I’m getting at his point, but I see SparkFun turned on PointPerfect and after about 10 minutes over my first point I was getting 3.5” horizontal accuracy according to SW Maps. I have the Torch connected via bluetooth to my android tablet and the tablet connected via wifi to my iPhone. I gave up on trying to get the Torch to connect via wifi. It stayed in a loop trying to connect first to my iPhone and then my home wifi (both were in range) and it failed to get an IP address and disconnected. I guess I’ll worry about upgrading the firmware another day. Thanks for your help.

1 Like