GDL-20

User’s Guide
November 2011
Denzel Lee

SOUTH SURVEYING & MAPPING

INSTRUMENT CO., LTD

Guangzhou, China
Preface
Welcome

Thank you for choosing GDL20 radio which is stable and proven by diverse of tests. It is design
for transmitting correction signal from base to rover. Your success is always our primary goal.
Expert support and service will reach to you whenever you need. Your feedback is welcome.

Guide concerning

What you can get from this manual is GDL20 operation, technical information and accessories.
If you have anything unclear, you can contact your supplier or us directly.

General information
GDL20 radio is a high speed wireless semi-manual data transfer radio, the transferring rate can
reach 19200 bps. The machine features of GDL 20 are the good heat emission ability and
water-proof ability.

GDL20 radio adopts GMSK adjust method, 19200bps transfer rate, error-code rate is low. The
transmission frequency can cover 450-470 MHz range. The data transfer mode of GDL25 is
transparent mode, which means that all raw data will be sent to RTK receiver without change.

The data transfer interface of GDL20 radio is the standard RS-232 port, it can do data
transferring with any terminal equipment that owns RS-232 port.

GDL20 data transfer radio adopts advanced wireless transmission technology, data processing
technology and base-band processing technology, produced with high quality components,
which secures that it runs for long time steadily.
Data/power cable and antenna
If you get an antenna with male TNC connector, you can mount it directly to the top RF
connector of GDL20 radio. We also provide an extendable cable for all-direction antenna so that
you can attach the antenna to standard 5/8 inch threaded tripods and range poles.

You’d better to check the antenna push-pin contact to make sure that it has a good connection
with the mount. It is very critical to the system performance

We strongly recommend that don’t transmit the signal without an antenna. It may
cause damage to GDL20 radio. Make sure the battery has enough power for GDL20
radio.

Figure-1 GDL20 connection system with S82-T

You can mount the radio to a tripod with the receiver.

Panel and appearance
The external looking of GDL 25 radio is simple, the control panel indicator light shows the radio
status, the operation of the keys is simple and convenient, one on one port can avoid connection
error effectively.

(1) Channel key: switch radio channels, press this switch can switch between channel 1-8.
(2) on/off: power on/off the radio (small red light shows the status).
(3) AMP PWR: when the light is on, it means radio is working with lower power consumption
mode.
(4) TX: The light blinks every second when it is transmitting signal properly (internal 1 sec.).

Figure-2 Panel of GDL20

1. Interface of GDL20 radio
(1) antenna port：Bayonet, for connecting transmitting antenna
(2) mainframe port：5-pins，for connecting Radio with GPS receiver and external battery.

Figure-3 Antenna port Figure-4 Receiver interface

 Figure-5 Mainframe interface

2. Size of GDL20 radio:

Volume: 175mm×157mm×67mm
Weight: 1000g

3. Power switch:
The switch is for adjusting radio power, the AMP PWR light shows the radio power consumption,
when it lights, means that it is low power consumption mode, when the light shuts off, means
that it is high power consumption mode. See as follows:

Switch

Figure-6 Power switch

Note：It’s better to use the low power consumption mode. High consumption mode will doubly
consume the power, and it harms battery life.
Channel frequency and Notice
Eight radio channels and relative frequency are listed in the following table:

Table-1 Channel frequency

Make sure that the internal module is the same as the external radio.

Here are some technical tips for best performance,

Power supply

GDL20 radio power input is 12-15V (typical value is 13.8V), the RF power is 25W, the current is
lower than 7.1A (when power input is 13.8V).

Antenna

Antenna placement is critical for good performance. Range and coverage is directly
proportional to the height of the transmitting and receiving antennas in addition to antenna
gain. Where possible, select a reference station location that takes advantage of terrain to get
the transmitting antenna as high as possible.

License requirements

It’s always responsible for radio owner to obey the local license requirements.
GDL20 radio Technical Specification

General Specification
Communication RS-232, 9600bps, 19200bps, optional
User Interface Button control, status indicators,
power trigger switch
Protocol trimtalk

Power
External 10 ~ 15V (12V typically, vehicle battery)
TX Watt 25 ± 5 / 10 ±3 W

Antenna
Antenna Impedance 50 

Radio Specification
Frequency Band 450 – 470Mhz
Frequency control 25 kHz
RF power Low / High
RF transmitter 10 / 25 W
Sensitivity -111 dBm

Environment Specification
Operating Temperature -30～60C
Storage Temperature -45～70C
Vibration/shock IP 65

Mechanical Specification
Dimensions 12.5 cm L x 10.5 cm W x 6 cm H
Weight 2.2 kg
SOUTH SURVEYING & MAPPING INSTRUMENT CO., LTD
Add: 2/F, Surveying Building, No.26 Keyun Road,
Guangzhou 510665, China
Tel: +86-20-23300888 Fax: +86-20-85524889
Email: mail@southsurvey.com
http: //www.southinstrument.com