Bluetooth wireless connections

Follow Avatar Anthony Caplin
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RD8100 cable, pipe and marker 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 Android or PDA devices running a compatible application.

NOTE: The RD8100 Marker 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 Marker 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 themceclip0.pngkey (locator) or the mceclip0.png 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 mceclip0.pngkey (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:

  • Press thekey to enter the menu.
  • Scroll to the BT menu using the or  keys.
  • Press themceclip0.pngkey to enter the BT menu.
  • Scroll to the PAIR menu and press the mceclip0.pngkey to enter it
  • Scroll to the BT-TX option

 

On the transmitter:

  • 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 to the PAIR option

 

Starting the pairing process:

  • 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

  • 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 mceclip2.png 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 an Android, PDA or PC

Pairing 

Pair the RD8100M locator to your Android, PDA or PC device using its Bluetooth manager

 

On the locator:

  • Press the key to enter the menu.
  • Scroll to the BT menu using the or keys.
  • Press themceclip0.pngkey to enter the BT menu.
  • Scroll up or down to the PAIR menu.
  • Press themceclip0.pngkey to enter the PAIR menu.
  • Scroll up or down to the BT-PC option.
  • Press the  key and the locator will be ready to your compatible device.

 

On your Android device:

 

  • Navigate to Settings > Bluetooth
  • Ensure that Bluetooth connectivity is switched on
  • Scan for a new device to add to the list of paired devices
  • Select the RD81X-XXX device
  • If asked for a passkey, enter 1234

 

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. 

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 your PDA:

  • From the PDA’s Start menu, select Settings then select the Connections Tab followed by the Bluetooth icon.
  • Ensure the Bluetooth radio is switched on and make the PDA visible to other devices.
  • Select the Devices tab and scan for new partnerships.
  • Create a partnership with the RD81_xxx device.
  • If asked for a passkey, enter 1234.
  • 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 Marker locators can transmit survey measurements to a paired PDA device running a compatible program. 

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

  • Press thekey to enter the menu
  • Scroll to the BT menu using the or keys.
  • Press themceclip0.pngkey to enter the BT menu
  • Scroll up or down to the PROT menu
  • Press themceclip0.pngkey 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 apps. Refer to the software supplier’s operation manual for instructions

 

Bluetooth standby mode

When using the Bluetooth connection on the RD8100 Marker locator, 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 Marker 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 :

  • Press the key to enter the menu.
  • Scroll to the BT menu using the or  keys.
  • Press the mceclip0.pngkey to enter the BT menu.
  • Scroll up or down to the STDBY menu
  • Press the key to confirm your choice

 

To set Bluetooth connection mode to ON:

  • Press the key to enter the menu.
  • Scroll to the BT menu using the or keys.
  • Press themceclip0.pngkey to enter the BT menu.
  • Scroll up or down to the ON option
  • 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 Marker 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 Marker 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 themceclip0.pngkey 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 paired device, 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 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