RTKBase - a tutorial

andyinv · 18 September 2022 15:50

Afternoon all

My project to get a community network of base stations up and running is gathering some interest, so I thought I’d write a guide on how to set it all up. From “what do I buy”, to “message sets, wtaf?”

Interested in any and all feedback please!

github.com

lansalot/FreeRTK/blob/main/README.md

# FreeRTK
## How to set up your own RTK base station

OK, about time I got writing this stuff down. This is from the point of view of someone who wishes to set up their own base station. It's a lot simpler than you might think, if you can get past the hurdle of finding the little computers in stock that is...

---
## But, before we go any further - what this is, and what this IS NOT

### This is documenting how to set up an rtkbase station, and provide free RTK correction data to yourself and the local community. Nothing more! It is absolutely NOT a way to get free unlocks for centimetre level accuracy for your machinery. It's not a way to save you thousands in doing that. It's a way to potentially save you hundreds, per machine, per year for the RTK subscription tho. Also, you might well need to provide your own SIM card if that's how your system works. You can get data-only SIMs with 2gb allowance for a fiver a month, and some systems like FJ Dynamics, can use your phone as a hotspot, so you won't even need a SIM card.

---

### Still here? Good, but before you think about buying a base station kit tho, you need to consider:
- is it really necessary? Is there more than enough coverage in my area?
- if I'm buying it primarily to support my vehicle, do I know for a fact it will work with it?
  - at time of writing, this works with Case IH Trimble, FJ Dynamics, AgOpenGPS and (with a different [message set](messagesets.md)), John Deere. John Deere are a bit of a nightmare tho, they don't make life easy. Consider yourself warned there...

So, onto the steps then !

- [What you need to buy](WhatToBuy.md)

This file has been truncated. show original

Cheers!

WildBuckwheat · 18 September 2022 16:51

Would it be possible to run this on a Pi Zero if using a uart connection to the GNSS receiver?

andyinv · 18 September 2022 17:04

On the face of it, I would gamble with a pi zero, they’re cheap enough to make it worth a try. It also seems like you could use USB too. Note tho - the Pi Zero W includes wifi, if you need that. The zero has no ethernet or wifi that I can see.

Not seeing different OS builds for the zero and model 3/4 etc. Less powerful CPU, but plenty memory. I’d like to think it would be OK.

This sounds like an issue with the pi zero was squashed: RTKbase img for raspberry Pi Zero - GPSD issue · Issue #175 · Stefal/rtkbase · GitHub

So I’d say go for it - and let us know how you get on

The installation instructions should be largely the same, but if the pre-built image won’t boot, you could just use a standard Raspian image and follow the rtkbase manual installation instructions.

alexandr · 3 October 2022 20:01

What configuration file is needed for F9P, for this base.

andyinv · 3 October 2022 21:08

None! rtkbase will auto-configure it for you, that’s why it’s important to have it plugged in at first boot.

alexandr · 4 October 2022 03:41

Thanks. F9P was connected when Raspberry started. Looked at the configuration of the module. How would all the settings correspond to the setting of the base. But here is Time Mode 3 0-disabled. Where can I read to check what the settings should be. Yes, module firmware 1.13. I didn’t update it. Just immediately connected a new module that was.

andyinv · 4 October 2022 07:41

You could connect it back to u-center and check settings are in there OK? Once it’s ran through the config in rtkbase, it won’t run it again (unless you tell it to from the cmd line - as far as I know!). Why it wouldn’t be in Time Mode 3 tho, not sure - that’s odd. I’ve a spare one here I might try it with later to see how it is. Is it working as a base regardless however?

alexandr · 4 October 2022 10:21

In the evening I’ll try to run it with Rtk2.go. Then I’ll let you know.

alexandr · 4 October 2022 17:22

It works with rtk2.go. The snip contains the database data.

alexandr · 5 November 2022 19:57

How can I change the router name and password in the settings? I opened the flash drive, and there is no wpa_supplicant.conf file where I wrote the data. I need to connect another router. How to do it. Or you have to reload the program for it to appear. Where can he be. I don’t want to redo the settings.

andyinv · 5 November 2022 21:17

Connect over ethernet temporarily, and:

sudo nano /etc/wpa_supplicant/wpa_supplicant.conf

alexandr · 6 November 2022 05:50

Thanks, I’ll try.

andyinv · 6 November 2022 07:48

The wpa_supplicant.conf file is moved at first boot by the way, so it’ll no longer be available in the root for Windows. A Linux machine could mount the drive tho. There aren’t that many settings tho, it doesn’t take long to reflash entirely and start from scratch.

alexandr · 6 November 2022 08:02

Thank you. I found information on how to do this via an Internet cable, it’s easier to reflash everything from scratch.

ipeel8 · 28 February 2023 16:31

@andyinv Hey ,
So I am attempting to setup a base station using your instructions on github. I am using a raspberry pi 3b. Wondering if there is a more up to date file to use than jancelin. 2.3.1 for raspberry pi? I see that Stefal’s Orange PI zero is updated to 2.4.1. Thanks

andyinv · 28 February 2023 16:39

Looks like Jancelin hasn’t updated one yet, but just install 2.3.1 and then you can upgrade to 2.4.1 from within rtkbase itself.

HPH · 28 February 2023 17:34

Hi,

I just did install in raspberry pi last week and that went without any problems. Maybe update the os to the latest and plug your f9p in usb and run this in terminal.

cd ~
wget https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Stefal/rtkbase/master/tools/install.sh -O install.sh
chmod +x install.sh
sudo ./install.sh --all release

Grab a coffee and relax.

WildBuckwheat · 28 February 2023 17:59

I couldn’t get the provided image to work. It’s not very hard to just do it yourself with a fresh OS.

Use raspberry pi imager utility to put a fresh OS on the SD card. You can use a headless OS. Using the imager’s settings you can also set your wifi and ssh credentials.

Then just ssh to the pi and run the 4 or so commands.

ipeel8 · 28 February 2023 18:39

Sorry guys you are speaking above my understanding. I have the similar setup as the tutorial instructions raspberry pi 3b, f9p, running via trendnet POE device. I have been unable to get a very accurate position for the base. When I send the log off to be processed the email I get back says they couldn’t calculate a position. The blue arrow jumps around in the approximate location but never narrows in on a constant position. What is my problem? What is the best way to update? I need very specific instructions. I dont know if you guys are talking about doing an update via a computer thru the ethernet or via taking the sd card out. I really need babied along with step by step instructions.
Thanks

andyinv · 28 February 2023 19:25

Did you follow the instructions at my guide? Also, the blue arrow will always jump around, it’s your crosshairs that remain static.