Bluetooth Wireless Connections

Follow Avatar Anthony Caplin
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RD8100 locators feature a Bluetooth wireless module, as standard, providing the ability to connect to compatible devices such as iLOC enabled transmitters (Tx-5B or Tx-10B), or handheld devices running a compatible application.

NOTE: The RD8100 locator wireless features may be subject to national and or local regulations. Consult your local authorities for more information.

WARNING! Do not attempt any wireless connection in areas where such technology is considered hazardous. This may include: petrochemical facilities, medical facilities or around navigation equipment.

Switching the Bluetooth On

By default RD8100 locators and Bluetooth enabled transmitters are shipped with the Bluetooth wireless connection module disabled.

To switch Bluetooth On:

  1. Press the key to enter the menu.
  2. Scroll to the BT menu using the or keys.
  3. Press the key (locator) or the key (transmitter) to enter the BT menu.
  4. Scroll up or down to the ON option.
  5. Press the key to switch Bluetooth ON and return to the previous menu.

Switching Bluetooth off

You can switch Bluetooth off to prolong battery life or comply with regulations in areas where wireless communications are considered hazardous.

To switch Bluetooth off:

  • Press the key to enter the menu.
  • Scroll to the BT menu using the or keys.
  • Press the key (locator) or the key (transmitter) to enter the BT menu.
  • Scroll up or down to the OFF option.
  • Press the key to switch Bluetooth off and return to the previous menu.

Pairing to a transmitter

To pair to a transmitter you require a Bluetooth enabled model such as the Tx-5B or Tx-10B.

Before you begin, try to switch off all nearby Bluetooth equipment as they may interfere with the locator and transmitter's pairing process.

On the locator:

  1. Press the key to enter the menu.
  2. Scroll to the BT menu using the or keys.
  3. Press the key to enter the BT menu.
  4. Scroll to the PAIR menu and press the key to enter it.
  5. Scroll to the BT-TX option.

On the transmitter:

6. Press the key to enter the menu.

7. Scroll to the BT menu using the or keys.

8. Press the key to enter the BT menu.

9. Scroll to the PAIR option.

Starting the pairing process:

10. Press the key on the transmitter followed by the key on the locator.

NOTE: You should press these keys within a 30 second window otherwise the connection may time out.

11. The transmitter and the locator will now attempt to pair.

When pairing is in progress, the transmitter and locator will display a flashing Bluetooth icon. Pairing can take up to a minute. If the pairing process is successful, the transmitter will display the icon and the locator will display a persistent Bluetooth icon for the duration of the connection.

If pairing fails, ensure that any nearby Bluetooth devices are switched off or invisible then repeat the process.

Once the locator and transmitter have successfully paired the transmitter should be power cycled to complete the process. You can then use iLOC to remotely change the transmitter’s output frequency and power levels from the locator.

Pairing to a PDA or PC

Connection requirements

  • Any RD8100 locator.
  • A compatible Bluetooth enabled PDA or Bluetooth enabled PC or Laptop.

Pairing

NOTE: The procedure below describes the pairing process between a RD8100 locator and a PDA. Pairing to a PC follows the same steps for the RD8100 locator and similar steps for your PC or laptop. Consult your PC or laptop Bluetooth pairing instructions to pair with the RD8100 locator.

Pair the RD8100 locator to your PDA using your PDA’s Bluetooth software.

NOTE: The procedure for pairing your PDA may differ depending on the PDA make and model. The following procedure should apply to most PDAs.

On the locator:

  1. Press the key to enter the menu.
  2. Scroll to the BT menu using the or keys.
  3. Press the key to enter the BT menu.
  4. Scroll up or down to the PAIR menu.
  5. Press the key to enter the PAIR menu.
  6. Scroll up or down to the BT-PC option.
  7. Press the key and the locator will attempt to pair with your PDA.

On your PDA:

8. From the PDA’s Start menu, select Settings then select the Connections Tab followed by the Bluetooth icon.

9. Ensure the Bluetooth radio is switched on and make the PDA visible to other devices.

10. Select the Devices tab and scan for new partnerships.

11. Create a partnership with the RD8M_xxx device.

12. If asked for a passkey, enter 1234.

13. Select the COM Ports tab and make a New Outgoing Port with the RD8100 locator. Note the port number of the selected COM port.

Bluetooth Protocol

RD8100 locators can transmit survey measurements to a paired PDA device running a compatible program.

To set the locator to work with Radiodetection’s SurveyCERT+ application, you need to set the data format to the PPP protocol:

  • Press the key to enter the menu.
  • Scroll to the BT menu using the or keys.
  • Press the key to enter the BT menu.
  • Scroll up or down to the PROT menu.
  • Press the key to enter the PROT menu.
  • Scroll up or down to the PPP option.
  • Press the key to confirm your choice and exit the menu.

The ASCII protocols can be used when using third party PDA programs. Refer to the software supplier’s operation manual for instructions.

Bluetooth standby mode

When using the Bluetooth connection on the RD8100, the Bluetooth module is by default kept in standby mode. This can help to increase the locator battery life and in some applications reduce potential interference from the Bluetooth module.

The RD8100 locator provides users with the option to set the Bluetooth module to STANDBY or ON. In the ON position the Bluetooth module will be permanently ready to send data, which can help to speed up the transfer times compared to that of modules set to STANDBY mode

To set Bluetooth to STDBY :

  1. Press the key to enter the menu.
  2. Scroll to the BT menu using the or keys.
  3. Press the key to enter the BT menu.
  4. Scroll up or down to the STDBY menu.
  5. Press the key to confirm your choice.

To set Bluetooth connection mode to ON:

  1. Press the key to enter the menu.
  2. Scroll to the BT menu using the or keys.
  3. Press the key to enter the BT menu.
  4. Scroll up or down to the ON option.
  5. Press the key to confirm your choice.

Troubleshooting

Successful wireless communication depends on a number of factors including: battery life, electromagnetic interference, device memory and physical obstructions.

Ensure that the RD8100 locator, transmitter and any other wireless device is sufficiently charged for wireless communication. Note that many PDAs will suspend wireless connections when their battery capacity drops below a threshold percentage. Consult your device’s documentation for more information.

Excessive electromagnetic interference can limit the range of wireless communication and / or corrupt data.

Your PDA device may have insufficient memory to maintain a wireless link, particularly if the connection is sustained over an hour or longer. Make sure you quit applications on your PDA using the method described in your device’s documentation.

Although iLOC can successfully function at distances up to 450m (1400ft) in direct line of sight, your PDA (or notebook) and the RD8100 locator must be within 10m (30ft) to maintain a wireless connection.

Resetting connections

If you experience problems with the RD8100 wireless Bluetooth technology features, Radiodetection recommends resetting the connection and then pairing your device again.

To reset the wireless connections:

  1. Press the key to enter the menu.
  2. Scroll to the BT menu using the or keys.
  3. Press the key to enter the BT menu.
  4. Scroll up or down to the RESET menu.
  5. Press the key and the locator will purge all current connections.
  6. Re-pair your devices.

Bluetooth Error codes

If an error occurs when attempting to perform any Bluetooth command using the locator to the transmitter or the locator to a PC or PDA, the LCD will display a code to help you resolve the problem on the locator.

The codes are as follows:

BT Code Description
BT001 Bluetooth not configured for this unit.
BT002 Internal Bluetooth error.
BT003 Locator not paired with transmitter.
BT004 Locator not paired with PC / PDA.
BT005 Paired but connection attempt failed. Power cycling may be required.
BT006 Corrupt response received from transmitter.
BT007 Indeterminate response received from transmitter.
BT008 No response received from transmitter.
BT009 Corrupt response received from PDA.
BT010 Transmission to PDA failure.
TX??? Transmitter unable to change to the requested frequency - check that the transmitter model is set correctly.

Bluetooth error codes