How to set up your own RTK base station.. for about £300

[andyinv]

ive looked in on there but half of it may as well be written in latin to me

The short version:
- build the PCB
- install the Arduino IDE
- point it at the sketch in the code folder
- say "upload"

That's honestly pretty much about it. I've done literally zero programming for this project whatsoever. Once you're at that point, you can run the AOG software and connect it to the arduino and your ublox. Believe me, it's a lot easier than you might imagine !

 

[davidroberts30]

The short version:
- build the PCB
- install the Arduino IDE
- point it at the sketch in the code folder
- say "upload"

That's honestly pretty much about it. I've done literally zero programming for this project whatsoever. Once you're at that point, you can run the AOG software and connect it to the arduino and your ublox. Believe me, it's a lot easier than you might imagine !

half of thats latin to me as well

 

[andyinv]

half of thats latin to me as well

Build the board and I'll do the software part for you

 

[clbarclay]

With the right guidance, the software side is quite straightforward. This video should give an idea how easy it can be.

 

[Baz65]

Built a base station using Andyinv's guide and his help online (much appreciated), got it casting to RTK2go, and port forwarded setup. Just need to find the right message set for Agco/Topcon AGI-4 antenna. My subscription to Topnetlive as ended now but on their app it had the following messages 1004,1005,1007,1012,1033,1230 have tried this set but there must be something missing as not connecting. Anybody got any suggestions.

 

[andyinv]

Built a base station using Andyinv's guide and his help online (much appreciated), got it casting to RTK2go, and port forwarded setup. Just need to find the right message set for Agco/Topcon AGI-4 antenna. My subscription to Topnetlive as ended now but on their app it had the following messages 1004,1005,1007,1012,1033,1230 have tried this set but there must be something missing as not connecting. Anybody got any suggestions.

I'd the same problem with Soil Essentials - sent the exact same messages to FJD, but it wouldn't work.

Try these?

1004,1005(10),1006,1008(10),1012,1019,1020,1033(10),1042,1045,1046,1074,1084,1094,1104,1124,1230

 

[andyinv]

Built a base station using Andyinv's guide and his help online (much appreciated), got it casting to RTK2go, and port forwarded setup. Just need to find the right message set for Agco/Topcon AGI-4 antenna. My subscription to Topnetlive as ended now but on their app it had the following messages 1004,1005,1007,1012,1033,1230 have tried this set but there must be something missing as not connecting. Anybody got any suggestions.

Also, check this article out. MSM4 might be worth a go (similar to what I posted just above there)

RTCM Output

Piksi® Multi and Duro with firmware v2.2 and newer is capable of sending base station data in RTCM v3.x format. This capability enables Piksi Multi and Duro to be used as a base station for another Piksi Multi / Duro and third-party RTK receivers...

support.swiftnav.com

RTCM Output Modes​

Piksi Multi and Duro can output RTCM v3 messages in three modes: Legacy, MSM4 and MSM5. The following messages are output in each mode:

Legacy: 1004, 1006, 1008, 1012, 1033 and 1230

MSM4: 1006, 1008, 1033, 1230 and MSM4 (1074, 1084, 1094, 1124)

MSM5: 1006, 1008, 1033, 1230 and MSM5 (1075, 1085, 1095, 1125)

Also, check this post out: https://thefarmingforum.co.uk/index.php?threads/topcon-correction-setup.339085/post-7429142

And further down where Soon60 is supplying AGI4 with 1004(1), 1006(10), 1008(10), 1012(1), 1013(10), 1033(10)

 

[Baz65]

I'd the same problem with Soil Essentials - sent the exact same messages to FJD, but it wouldn't work.

Try these?

1004,1005(10),1006,1008(10),1012,1019,1020,1033(10),1042,1045,1046,1074,1084,1094,1104,1124,1230

Thanks for that I'll give them a go. Also found on Snip "4091" which is assigned to TOPCON would this be any good ?

 

[Northern farmer]

Built a base station using Andyinv's guide and his help online (much appreciated), got it casting to RTK2go, and port forwarded setup. Just need to find the right message set for Agco/Topcon AGI-4 antenna. My subscription to Topnetlive as ended now but on their app it had the following messages 1004,1005,1007,1012,1033,1230 have tried this set but there must be something missing as not connecting. Anybody got any suggestions.

I've had two AGCO/Topcon AGI-4 rovers for about 10 years and my Novatel base is configured for messages:
1004, 1006, 1007, 1008, 1012, 1033.

1005 should work fine instead of 1006. I cannot remember if 1033 is really needed. AGCO variants of the AGI-4 do not work with MSM messages and no need as they only support GPS and Glonass. 1007 may also be unnecessary but no bid deal as these can be transmitted at a very low frequency (every 10 seconds or so), just 1004 and 1012 once a second.

 

[ih1455xl]

Has anybody added rtk on to there existing Trimble I’m assuming I need a SIM card module and a unlock anything else?

 

[Zebbedee]

Has anybody added rtk on to there existing Trimble I’m assuming I need a SIM card module and a unlock anything else?

Nav controller I would say

 

[Andy26]

Has anybody added rtk on to there existing Trimble I’m assuming I need a SIM card module and a unlock anything else?

You could have a complete AgOpenGPS RTK system and a fortnight in Australia for less!

 

[ih1455xl]

I fancy having a go at building one this winter for my sprayer can they do section control is the a list of bits I need to buy and can I use any Trimble bits as have a spare xcn1050 and nav 900

 

[Andy26]

I fancy having a go at building one this winter for my sprayer can they do section control is the a list of bits I need to buy and can I use any Trimble bits as have a spare xcn1050 and nav 900

Yes can do section control.

Sell your Nav 900 and XCN1050

You'd build a complete AOG system and have enough for a holiday too!

 

[Andy26]

I fancy having a go at building one this winter for my sprayer can they do section control is the a list of bits I need to buy and can I use any Trimble bits as have a spare xcn1050 and nav 900

Is your sprayer self propelled any form of autosteer at present?

 

[ih1455xl]

Is your sprayer self propelled any form of autosteer at present?

Yes sp househam no gps and no auto steer

 

[Baz65]

I've had two AGCO/Topcon AGI-4 rovers for about 10 years and my Novatel base is configured for messages:
1004, 1006, 1007, 1008, 1012, 1033.

1005 should work fine instead of 1006. I cannot remember if 1033 is really needed. AGCO variants of the AGI-4 do not work with MSM messages and no need as they only support GPS and Glonass. 1007 may also be unnecessary but no bid deal as these can be transmitted at a very low frequency (every 10 seconds or so), just 1004 and 1012 once a second.

My AGCO/TOPCON AGI-4 is now working with these messages 1004(1),1005(1),1006(1),1007(10),1008(1),1010(1),1012(1),1077(1),1087(1),1230(1)

 

[Northern farmer]

My AGCO/TOPCON AGI-4 is now working with these messages 1004(1),1005(1),1006(1),1007(10),1008(1),1010(1),1012(1),1077(1),1087(1),1230(1)

Very good if it works now but it would be interesting to know why this exact set of messages. Some of the details I'm confused with:

RTCM 1006 covers all the information RTCM 1005 provides but 1005 alone should work. So one or the other is redundant (just waste of bandwidth, does not hurt otherwise).

RTCM 1012 covers the content of RTCM 1010 and sounds redundant (AGI4 is a dual frequency receiver, RTCM 1010 alone is not sufficient). RTCM 1010 is for Glonass, RTCM 1002 would be a corresponding message for GPS but not on the list.

As far as I know, none of the SW releases I've used on the AGCO variants of the Topcon AGI4 receiver make use of MSM messages. Makes MSM7 messages redundant (1077 and 1087), legacy messages 1004 and 1012 provide the necessary information.

I'm not aware of products that get confused of the combination of legacy and MSM messages but the general advice is to avoid mixing the two. Then again this single stream could cover both legacy type of receivers and new triple/quadruple constellation receivers but in that case RTCM 1097 and RTCM 1127 are missing.

The choice between MSM4, MSM5 and MSM7 is also interesting.

 

[Baz65]

Very good if it works now but it would be interesting to know why this exact set of messages. Some of the details I'm confused with:

RTCM 1006 covers all the information RTCM 1005 provides but 1005 alone should work. So one or the other is redundant (just waste of bandwidth, does not hurt otherwise).

RTCM 1012 covers the content of RTCM 1010 and sounds redundant (AGI4 is a dual frequency receiver, RTCM 1010 alone is not sufficient). RTCM 1010 is for Glonass, RTCM 1002 would be a corresponding message for GPS but not on the list.

As far as I know, none of the SW releases I've used on the AGCO variants of the Topcon AGI4 receiver make use of MSM messages. Makes MSM7 messages redundant (1077 and 1087), legacy messages 1004 and 1012 provide the necessary information.

I'm not aware of products that get confused of the combination of legacy and MSM messages but the general advice is to avoid mixing the two. Then again this single stream could cover both legacy type of receivers and new triple/quadruple constellation receivers but in that case RTCM 1097 and RTCM 1127 are missing.

The choice between MSM4, MSM5 and MSM7 is also interesting.

I got in contact with a chap called Simon Barlow, he told me these were the current messages he was using with his TOPCON AGI-4 "1077(1),1087(1),1005(1),1007(1),1032(1)" so I tried them with my Topcon AGI-4 and it connected with my base but didn't have the accuracy, so I added the others and it seem to work, I will whittle them down to what's needed eventually when I get time, at the moment just please it's working.

Blog – Simon Barlow – NTRIP Base ESP32 PX1122R F9P TOPCON tractor Ardusimple Navspark Skytraq ESPrtk.

Simon Barlow – NTRIP Base ESP32 PX1122R F9P TOPCON tractor Ardusimple Navspark Skytraq ESPrtk. Hello ESPrtk User . We are really happy when continue to update the results of Simon Barlow&#821…

esprtk.com

 

[Andy26]

Yes sp househam no gps and no auto steer

I will start a new thread as a step by step guide, but for now,

A good starting point is to get AgOpenGPS going as a lightbar system as this is so quick easy, all you need is a Windows tablet an GNSS/RTK receiver with antennae and to download the AOG software.

The tablet needs a bright screen, running Windows 10, ideally with an SSD.

Panasonic Toughpads are recommended can be bought on eBay for £200. I'd recommend a CF-D1 or an FZ-G1 like:

Panasonic FZ-G1 Mk1 Tablet | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Panasonic FZ-G1 Mk1 Tablet at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products.

www.ebay.co.uk

Then you need a GNSS/RTK receiver from Ardusimple:

simpleRTK2B - Basic Starter Kit

The Starter Kit allows simple and fast evaluation of Dual Band GNSS (GPS/Galileo/Glonass/Beidou) RTK technology, based on u-blox ZED-F9P module.

www.ardusimple.com

And download AOG:

Release Release 5.6.2 · farmerbriantee/AgOpenGPS

Version 5.6.2 replaces 5.6 - The big change is Modules are 192.168.1.xxx Now ### 192.168.1.xxx AgIO Basics: https://youtu.be/Rx-ymbssRGE - is outdated for the .5 part. VTG is NOT required to be sen...

github.com

Thats everything for the AOG lightbar.

You can use the closest free RTK correction from RTK2Go (using your mobile phone as WiFi hotspot), to start with, but will probably want your own RTK base which is easily setup for £300.

To then get autosteer we need:

• Steering motor or hydraulic steering valve
• Wheel angle sensor
• PCB with a processor (Arduino or Teensy), motor controller, IMU (gyroscope/compass) etc...

And then we can add section control.