RTK2go vs self hosted SNIP caster

About a month ago I installed the Lite version of SNIP on a dedicated PC with the hope of being more reliable than using RTK2Go and also having the ability to limit users. So far it has been a failure! I can make it work but my devices appear to loose their connection regularly. I’m using a DDNS service since I don’t have a fixed IP but I also tried it with my IP address (doesn’t change often) with no success. The PC has nothing else running on it, has port 2101 open on it and my firewall is forwarding 2101 to it as well. I’m fairly well versed in configuring firewalls and servers and maintaining stable connections but this one is baffling me. Any tricks I need to know or just stick with RTK2Go?

I haven’t done anything with SNIP, so not much help there… I’m curious though, is there some reason you didn’t use RTKBase? It’s what I use, and very reliable, and easy to set up. Can send to 2 casters, and run its own caster.

RTK2Go has had quite a few random downtimes this summer. If you end up using a commercial caster, I’d recommend using emlid, or something. I’ve had good luck with emlid, so far.

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I’m using an Ardusimple SimpleRTK3B board with a ethernet shield on top of it. I do not need any computer for the base to work and upload to a caster.

That’s a mosaic?
Can it be configured to be the caster directly?

If not, you can also use str2str as caster to forward the messages.

I guess rtkbase is not very useful single it uses some raw data to build the correction sentences.:person_shrugging:

Here is what I built before I switched to rtkbase:

I have used a very old Dell D630 laptop running linux and the BKG caster, I’ve had the same HW running windows and SNIP, I’ve used RTKBase on a raspberry pi, all for a private RTK caster and all working fine. A dynamic public IP. Cannot help with your issue but there must be a solution.

Messing with port forwarding on a home router is always going to be frustrating and brittle experience. ISPs don’t intend for you to host any “servers” and thus little things they do often break things.

Consider installing Tailscale vpn on your PC hosting SNIP. Then put tailscale on your AOG tablet as well. Tailscale will give you a virtual direct connection that should be a lot more reliable, despite home routers and firewalls. Tailscale is also availabe on android or ios. Tailscale doesn’t require connecting to a vpn server anywhere (which is why they let people use the service for free).

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I’m running Unifi Dream Machine Pro for a router and Unifi Switches across the board. My home network is not your typical home network with over 100 devices, 6 access points, fiber to the home and between all switches. I’m experienced in configuring networks and managing firewalls.

Nothing to it - port forwarding, as you said. Have you checked for any established connections on your endpoint?

Another +1 for tailscale, works great, no issues of config required.

Fair enough. I understand. I also have years of professional network experience. That is why I highly recommended tailscale to get around all the issues you mention.

Seems like you’re well equipped to determine the source of the problem. Best of luck.

Your advice is good and noted and I’ll definitely look into tailscale. I apologize if I sound arrogant on the networking side of things.

I don’t think a VPN is usable in my situation. I’m not actually using AOG. Trimble FMX, TMX2050, and a few Pro 700/372 setups. I’m trying to use the Ardusimple 4g NTRIP Master and/or wifi NTRIP device and cannot install software on them.

Very true! I should have asked what your rovers looked like. On my Trimble receivers I’ve been using Lefebure NTRIP client on a phone, connected to a bluetooth serial adapter, so I can run tailscale on the phone. But can’t run tailscale on the device. What NTRIP device are you using?

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Ardusimple 4g NTRIP master and a wifi NTRIP client and also an rtkonnect from back 40 precision

Try rtkdata.online?

I have a Mount Point setup with them but Trimble VRS does not seem to like them. I cannot get it to work with the domain name or the IP Address. Others have had the same issue.

Anyone knows if this is an issue with original Trimble branded devices only or also an issue with AGCO products with a Trimble receiver? We are considering a new tractor and the Novatel receiver might still be an option.

Did you specify the custom port number when setting it up on your rovers? rtkdata.online does not use the standard port 2101. My mount point uses a port number of 10051. The dashboard on their web site shows the port numbers used for each mount point.

I apologize for not getting back to this for so long! I’ve been using my SNIP caster for the past 3 weeks while harvesting on three different devices with zero issues. Combine is running a Pro 700/372, grain cart using CaseIH Vector Pro with Cellular NTRIP connecting to my base, and a third tractor using a TMX 2050. The combine and 2050 use iPad or iPhone hotspots.

That being said, if I use the Ardusimple 4G NTRIP Master I do not maintain a consistent RTK age and often fall back into XFill. I need to investigate and/or try a different SIM card providers as I appear to have too much latency.