ShotMarker issues with some tablets?

[chkunz]

Have any of you experienced issues with some brands of electronic devices used with the ShotMarker? I think I saw this someplace where folks were having issues mixing Apple with other brands but I was not concerned with it at the time.

We are running four SMs in the four separate channel configuration for XTC and when we get to 600 yards sometimes we get delays and sometimes one seems to go to sleep. I am going to investigate signal strength and antenna height the next time we are at the range.

I am not ready to call Adam until I know more that would help with the trouble shooting.

The four systems have been working flawlessly at 200 and 300 slow fire and rapid fire. We are mostly old guys that are IT challenged. And this is so much better than pulling targets in the hot sun.

 

[Bob L.]

At the last match I attended, I used my Apple iPad Pro while the 8 or 9 others used the tablets supplied by Adam. There were no issues that I recall, certainly none with my iPad. This was an F class 600 yd match.

 

[chkunz]

At the last match I attended, I used my Apple iPad Pro while the 8 or 9 others used the tablets supplied by Adam. There were no issues that I recall, certainly none with my iPad. This was an F class 600 yd match.

Thanks, that is good to know. I do not want to chase the wrong thing.

 

[Doug Beach]

Why are you running multiple channels? We run 6 units, one access point, one channel, a mix of Apple & other devices, no device related problems.

 

[Monte F]

We ran six targets today at 1000yd. No problems with mixed devices, but we do have the antenna extender connected to each hub to have a good line of sight to the access point. We mount the hubs low on the frames to protect them from getting hit.

 

[chkunz]

We ran six targets today at 1000yd. No problems with mixed devices, but we do have the antenna extender connected to each hub to have a good line of sight to the access point. We mount the hubs low on the frames to protect them from getting hit.

Good info, thanks. We drop the sensor hub below the pit wall and run the antenna up a couple of feet above the pit wall. I am going to check signal strength next time out,

 

[chkunz]

Why are you running multiple channels?

We only have 4 targets and it seems simpler. So far we are just practicing and this allows each firing point to work independently. We are still learning and will eventually get to the milti channel one access configuration

 

[Walt Krafft]

The issue I have is my wife confiscated my tablet to read books since the library is closed.

 

[rardoin]

I’d call Adam as he will give you a good flow path to troubleshoot the problem and save some of your time.

 

[chkunz]

The issue I have is my wife confiscated my tablet to read books since the library is closed.

Buy her a Kindle, I bought my wife one and it is the best inveatment I have e

 

[chkunz]

I’d call Adam as he will give you a good flow path to troubleshoot the problem and save some of your time.

Thanks for the response. I try to be a good customer so I will spend some time understanding the problem as well as I can so if I have to call him I can provide as much information as I can to help him help me.

My biggest problem is my lack of experience with todays PC technology. For those of you under the age of 40 or maybe even 50 this is difficult for you to understand. I expect technology to be a utility, when I turn the light switch the light comes on and I do not want to know any more about how it happens.

The best thing is that I am never going to pull targets in the pits again.

 

[Warren Dean]

Antenna height and aiming are super critical at 2.4 gHz and all microwave frequencies. The antennas need to be as high as possible...meaning at least 10-15', or more, in the air in the case of the gear we use on our electronic target systems. Higher translates to farther and a more robust link. Panel antennas work much better than the vertical type.

If you are interested, Google "Fresnel Zone" and check out why height is king in microwave signal transmission.

 

[chkunz]

Antenna height and aiming are super critical at 2.4 gHz and all microwave frequencies. The antennas need to be as high as possible...meaning at least 10-15', or more, in the air in the case of the gear we use on our electronic target systems. Higher translates to farther and a more robust link. Panel antennas work much better than the vertical type.

If you are interested, Google "Fresnel Zone" and check out why height is king in microwave signal transmission.

Good info, thanks.

 

[FatBoy]

Antenna height and aiming are super critical at 2.4 gHz and all microwave frequencies. The antennas need to be as high as possible...meaning at least 10-15', or more, in the air in the case of the gear we use on our electronic target systems. Higher translates to farther and a more robust link. Panel antennas work much better than the vertical type.

If you are interested, Google "Fresnel Zone" and check out why height is king in microwave signal transmission.

There is no clutter in the Fresnel zone on this range. Even the 500y berm as ground clutter would be fine in 2.4 or 5.8 Mhz. We run 10 SMTs at 600/1000 with the antennas 3' above the berm without issue.

My guess, Clyde, is you need to set individual freqs. I suspect if these are freq hopping, you're getting interference as the noise floor is elevated from the multiple bands of 2.4. Unlicensed spectrum off a omni antenna basically shoots everywhere so the entire range is flooded with spectrum. I don't even know if going with a directional Yaggi would improve it in 2.4, at least not at the distances/separation we're talking about. Locking onto a unique channel per target is the best bet IMO. I don't have access to my spec an anymore or I'd come out and check the noise floor, etc.

FWIW, they ran at least 12 Shot Markers at Dead Zero yesterday with no issues.

 

[Jennb]

Talk to Denys from Bayou. He has the tech stuff down.

 

[carlsbad]

No problems with Samsung tablet. If you are getting slow response/lag, that is often a sign of inadequate memory (general comment). I'm not saying that is the problem here but I would investigate it.

 

[FatBoy]

I missed the Apple comment, Clyde. JIm Soko rarely uses an iPad for issues with heat and battery life. Issues the Samsungs don't appear to be afflicted with. You may touch base with him as he has both brands now.

 

[Albany Mountain]

If you get the signal at all (earlier in the day) then the system is probably correct. The longer ranges may be needing better antenna placement, some Ipads get hot in the sun, multiple receivers can overload the buffer (an audience of 200 watching on cell phones doesn't help.

 

[carlsbad]

If you get the signal at all (earlier in the day) then the system is probably correct. The longer ranges may be needing better antenna placement, some Ipads get hot in the sun, multiple receivers can overload the buffer (an audience of 200 watching on cell phones doesn't help.

An audience watching me shoot has never been a problem.

 

[Liven The Dream]

We shoot 12 Targets on one Hub , with Antennas mount high with long lead cables .
300 to 1000 Tablets , Phones of various make .
No problems.
How my problem when using my Shot Marker for practice .
I use a Tablet now . I did use my I Phone early on .
The IP Address is in my phone ?
If my Truck is close by and my Phone plunged into my Truck , it hunts for the signal .
This robs the Tablet on the line ? I get no shots recorded or ghost shots .