Paul C. Buff, Inc. Technical Forum

I'm using the Radiopopper JrX system with the X1600. When I hook up the JrX receiver to the X1600 via the remote link & test it indoors, everything works the way it should. However, when I use the setup at an outdoors location, the Jrx receiver is not transmitting to the X1600 via the remote link. This has happened on the only two occasions that I tried to use this setup outdoors. Very frustrating when I'm trying to do a shoot. The JrX receiver will work as a dumb trigger when I use the sync cable. Since I don't have backup equipment, how can I test to see if the X1600 remote is causing the problem? Thanks.

How are you powering the light outdoors? The issue is likely power supply related. If you can set the light up inside with an extension cord and get the light to work, move the light outside leaving plugged where it is. If it works fine, then it is not an environmental thing.

Not knowing what is wrong, things to eliminate are faulty extension cords, faulty power strips, and improprly wired AC outtlets, or ones with a lot of noise on them.

I'm using the VML battery pack to power the X1600 outdoors. My setup using the Remote didn't work during my outdoors shoot this past Saturday. On the next day Sunday, I tested the setup using the Remote with the VML battery pack indoors & everything worked again. So I'm totally lost on why my setup isn't working outdoors but will work indoors.

My first outdoors shoot was at a city park. My second & last outdoors shoot was at the desert. I'm thinking out loud, is the RJ-11 connection more susceptible to noise interference than the sync cord connection?

When I first encountered this problem, I blamed the "bad" RJ-11 cable but it appears that I was too hasty in putting the blame on the original cable. The replacement cable from Radiopopper didn't work on my last outdoors shoot. Trying these same two cables, my setup works indoors. I have also emailed Radiopopper support about my problem.

Are you setting the power sliders on the light to "FULL"?

Are you getting a green OK light, or red DUMP light when it does not work?

Did you try the model lamp on/off switch in each on and off (the switch on the light)?

Does the flash fire at all when it is not working properly?

By the way, I am asking questions that I would ask if it were CyberSyncs. I do not know enough about RP's to specifically trouble shoot them, though I would image similar characteristics.

Did you try the model lamp on/off switch in each on and off (the switch on the light)?
Model lamp turned off since I'm using a beauty dish.

I am not sure why the beauty dish has an imact on this choice, though the model lamp should not be used due to its drain on the battery pack. However, turn the model lamp on on thw back of the light, and use the dip switch on the reciever to turn it off.

I updated my answer to question #2 above.

I turned back on the model lamp on the X1600. However, it appears that the dip switch (#8) on the JrX receiver doesn't turn off the model lamp in either the on or off position. It just made the model lamp go from bight to less bright. So I turned off the model lamp on the X1600 instead.

On another note, I'm testing my X1600 in the garage right now with the remote working as it should. I'm noticing that with the Slider on Full that turning on the JrX receiver, the test flash is not at 1/1 but at a low setting like 1/128. It should not matter that the JrX transmitter is set at full power & it's the last one to get turned on.

Not exactly true. The "tickler" flash is often accompanied by a red dump light. This is an indication the reciever has not gotten any instructions on how to adjust the flash. Usually, by turning on the transmitter, and possibly making an adjustment, the light should go to a reasonable setting. (this is how it works on CS, anyway)

One other place to look on the light; look inside the RJ11 connection. You should have 4 contacts, all of which should be evenly spaced, and at the same height. The same should be true of your reciever.

The RJ-11connectors appears to be OK on the X1600 & receiver. On the next outdoors shoot, what should I take note on if I encounter this problem again? I also need to find another AB or WL strobe to test my JrX system with which would help me greatly. Thanks for your assistance.

This means you're using the VML?
FWIW, I've never seen this behavior w/ my JrX....flickering red stuck ready light yes (from opamp lockup/latchup at low voltage), but no utter lack of power control like you described.