Open Settings and tap Location source. The line at the top of the receiver screen says where the connection stands. When something goes wrong, a second line under it says why. Find that message below.

Bluetooth is unavailable

Bluetooth is off, or Dipper Field isn't allowed to use it.

  • Turn Bluetooth on.
  • If you turned the permission down, the screen shows Open Settings. Tap it and allow Bluetooth (iPhone) or Nearby devices (Android).
  • On Android 11 and earlier, the search for Bluetooth receivers also needs location allowed and Location turned on.

A receiver on Wi-Fi, or one plugged in with a USB cable on Android, doesn't need Bluetooth.

No receiver found

The search ended without finding a receiver. The app adds: "Make sure the receiver is switched on and nearby. A receiver connected to another device stays hidden until it is disconnected there."

  • Switch the receiver on and wait until it's ready.
  • Disconnect it from any other phone, tablet or data collector, then tap Scan nearby devices.
  • iPhone: receivers that only offer Bluetooth Classic never appear. The receiver needs Bluetooth LE, or Wi-Fi. See which receivers work.
  • Android: pair a Bluetooth Classic receiver in Android's Bluetooth settings first. It then appears under Paired and USB devices, not in the search.

Could not connect

The app found the receiver but the connection failed. The line under it says why:

MessageWhat to do
"The receiver did not respond. It may be in use by another device, or it may be powered off or out of range."Disconnect it from other devices, move closer, check it's on, and tap it again. The app doesn't retry on its own.
"Could not communicate with the receiver. Try reconnecting."Tap the receiver again. If it keeps happening, switch the receiver off and on.
"Could not reach the receiver at this address. Check that the phone is on the receiver's Wi-Fi and that the address and port are right."Join the receiver's Wi-Fi, or put the phone on the same network, then check Address and the port against the receiver's manual.
"Device is no longer nearby. Scan and try again."iPhone. Tap Scan nearby devices and pick the receiver again.
"USB access was not allowed. Connect again and allow access."Android. Tap the receiver again and allow access when Android asks.

Connected, but no positions arrived

The full message is "Connected, but no positions arrived. Check that the receiver sends NMEA on this connection."

The connection opened, but no position data came through it. On iPhone this applies to Wi-Fi receivers; on Android, also to paired Bluetooth and USB. In the receiver's own settings or app, turn on NMEA output for the port or connection you're using. On Wi-Fi, check you entered the port that sends NMEA.

Position data unavailable

The phone connected to a Bluetooth device that doesn't offer position data. It may not be a GNSS receiver, or it may send positions in a way Dipper Field can't read. See which receivers work.

Connected, but no position yet

Connected, waiting for positioning data or Receiver is running and searching for satellites means the link works and the receiver has no position yet. Take it outside with open sky and give it a minute or two after switching on.

Other messages

  • "Receiver in use by another device over the network." The receiver serves one connection at a time. Disconnect it on the other device, then connect again. The app won't retry on its own.
  • "This device's pairing is out of date" (iPhone). This happens after the receiver has been reset. Open iPhone Settings, then Bluetooth, tap the info button next to the receiver and choose Forget This Device. Come back and tap Try again.
  • "The receiver's USB cable was unplugged." (Android) Plug the cable back in. If the receiver doesn't come back, tap it under Paired and USB devices.
  • "Waiting for the receiver to come back into range" The connection dropped. The app reconnects by itself when the receiver is back in range.