RTK for Fendt VarioGuide with a third-party base, how-to guide

[Northern farmer]

Would it have anything to with the subscription purchased? Would Trimble need to know it’s an agco tractor or is that irrelevant?

Why are all Trimble correction service experts so shy here? I'm sure they want to control how their correction signal is used. For example they don't want a single subscription being shared for other tractors. I just don't know how they do it.

This should be solved by the Trimble reseller that sold you the service. You could try mine or some near by RTK2GO base for testing but I'm sure it would work (mine is too far away to give RTK fix, some rtk2go base stations might but you would see the correction stream coming with low lag in any case).

 

[Robt]

Pretty much what James faulky has said. It doesn’t appear to be recovering data. Go back through all your settings with a fine tooth comb. Check upper and lower case. Check spelling

 

[Northern farmer]

Pretty much what James faulky has said. It doesn’t appear to be recovering data. Go back through all your settings with a fine tooth comb. Check upper and lower case. Check spelling

Certainly worth checking but if the screen says "receiving data", it should have successfully registered to the caster. That is the IP address, the user name and the password fine and accepted. Also the mount point should exist (but could be a wrong one).

 

[Richard Smyth]

Is the signal format correct?

 

[Rob101]

Is the signal format correct?

I’m not 100%. Is that the RTK assist tab? I was told by fendt dealer that it’s nothing to do with RTK? I’ve tried two other NTRIP settings and they didn’t work. The NTRIP settings I have now are the only ones that seem to somewhat connect

 

[Rob101]

NTRIP settings

 

[jamesfalky]

Double-check with your provider whether their signal is RTCM3.1 or CMR+, to change this you need to switch the dial switch off and change it at the bottom of the screen, where that box will turn into a drop-down box.

 

[BorderFarmer34]

You just need to get the Trimble provider to change port from 2170 to 2101 as that’s for a Trimble platform receiver not a Novatel.! Also the mountpoint to: 15_TVN_RTCM_31 and try again should be fine then

 

[Soon_60]

http://82.135.20.213:2170/ (With a Firefox browser)
shows the sourcetable of this caster:
----------------------------------
SOURCETABLE 200 OK
Server: NTRIP Trimble Ntrip Caster 4.7
Content-Type: text/plain
Content-Length: 530
Date: Fri, 19 Nov 2021 22:26:30 UTC

STR;TVN_AG_DGPS;TVN_AG_DGPS;RTCM 2.3;Obs(1),Info(10),PBSInfo(11);2;GPS+GLONASS;VRS Now;GBR;0;0;1;1;Trimble Pivot Platform;None;B;Y;0;;
STR;TVN_AG_GNSS;TVN_AG_GNSS;AG;Obs(1),Info(10),PBSInfo(11);2;GPS+GLONASS;VRS Now;GBR;0;0;1;1;Trimble Pivot Platform;None;B;Y;0;;
STR;TVN_AG_GPS;TVN_AG_GPS;AG;Obs(1),Info(10),PBSInfo(11);2;GPS;VRS Now;GBR;0;0;1;1;Trimble Pivot Platform;None;B;Y;0;;
STR;TVN_AG;TVN_AG;AG;Obs(1),Info(10),PBSInfo(11);2;GPS+GLO+GAL+BDS+QZS;VRS Now;GBR;0;0;1;1;Trimble Pivot Platform;None;B;Y;0;;
ENDSOURCETABLE
----------------------------------------------

For mount point TVN_AG_GNSS it says stream type AG??

Message types (and intervalls): Obs(1),Info(10),PrsInfo(11)
would tell to my understanding that this is a CMR kind of stream (CMR / CMR+ / CMRx...).

VRS says that it is a Virtual Reference Station stream.

So if your receiver is set up to listen to RTCM you do net get a RTK fix.

So like said above also please check the correction stream type..

 

[Northern farmer]

You just need to get the Trimble provider to change port from 2170 to 2101 as that’s for a Trimble platform receiver not a Novatel.! Also the mountpoint to: 15_TVN_RTCM_31 and try again should be fine then

The Novatel Smart7 understands CMR/CMR+ too and the port number should not matter as long as the correction signal format is good. Anything else that makes this correction signal not suitable for the Smart7?

 

[Northern farmer]

STR;TVN_AG_DGPS;TVN_AG_DGPS;RTCM 2.3;Obs(1),Info(10),PBSInfo(11);2;GPS+GLONASS;VRS Now;GBR;0;0;1;1;Trimble Pivot Platform;None;B;Y;0;;
STR;TVN_AG_GNSS;TVN_AG_GNSS;AG;Obs(1),Info(10),PBSInfo(11);2;GPS+GLONASS;VRS Now;GBR;0;0;1;1;Trimble Pivot Platform;None;B;Y;0;;
STR;TVN_AG_GPS;TVN_AG_GPS;AG;Obs(1),Info(10),PBSInfo(11);2;GPS;VRS Now;GBR;0;0;1;1;Trimble Pivot Platform;None;B;Y;0;;
STR;TVN_AG;TVN_AG;AG;Obs(1),Info(10),PBSInfo(11);2;GPS+GLO+GAL+BDS+QZS;VRS Now;GBR;0;0;1;1;Trimble Pivot Platform;None;B;Y;0;;
ENDSOURCETABLE
----------------------------------------------

For mount point TVN_AG_GNSS it says stream type AG??

Isn't TVN_AG_GNSS also only providing GPS/Glonass corrections. For this receiver the TVN_AG mountpoint looks better if the service subscription allows it. If not, I'd call it cheating, probably more expensive?

 

[BorderFarmer34]

I had two systems both on NTRIP Trimble VRS and Novatel RTK receivers and when the one was renewed it was processed to have the same port and mountpoint as suggested in this thread it wouldn’t work, Trimble re processed it using the same port number and mountpoint as on the other tractor and worked fine. Trimble said to me that was aimed more for a Trimble receiver not a Novatel one. It definetly sorted mine quickly but not sure on all the details behind it.

 

[Northern farmer]

I had two systems both on NTRIP Trimble VRS and Novatel RTK receivers and when the one was renewed it was processed to have the same port and mountpoint as suggested in this thread it wouldn’t work, Trimble re processed it using the same port number and mountpoint as on the other tractor and worked fine. Trimble said to me that was aimed more for a Trimble receiver not a Novatel one. It definetly sorted mine quickly but not sure on all the details behind it.

Quite confusing for customers when Trimble opens up their proprietary protocol for other brands like Novatel here but then their own correction signal isn't compatible anyway.

No problem as such if they have an option that follows the open standard. RTCM3 would be more efficient too compared to CMR. Odd if the Trimble reseller did not take care of the necessary bits to start with.

 

[Soon_60]

STR;TVN_AG;TVN_AG;AG;Obs(1),Info(10),PBSInfo(11);2;GPS+GLO+GAL+BDS+QZS;VRS Now;GBR;0;0;1;1;Trimble Pivot Platform;None;B;Y;0;;
-stream must be of CMRx type.
Novatel SMART 7 specs say only CMR / CMR+

Caster for RTCM 3.1 corrections on that same IP seems to be on port 2101.
http://82.135.20.213:2101/
Use Firefox browser to see it!

----------------------------
SOURCETABLE 200 OK
Server: NTRIP Trimble Ntrip Caster 4.7
Content-Type: text/plain
Content-Length: 2920
Date: Sat, 20 Nov 2021 08:50:39 UTC

STR;02_TVN_RTCM_31_EXPIRING;02_TVN_RTCM_31_EXPIRING;RTCM 3.1;1004/1012(1), 1005/1007(5), 1030/1031(8), 1032(10), 1033(5);2;GPS+GLONASS; VRS NOW;GBR;0;0;1;1;Trimble Pivot Platform;None;B;Y;0;OSTN02;
STR;02_TVN_RTCM_23_EXPIRING;02_TVN_RTCM_23_EXPIRING;RTCM 2.3;18/19(1),3/22(6), 23/24(5);2;GPS;VRS Now;GBR;0;0;1;1;Trimble Pivot Platform;None;B;Y;0;OSTN02;
STR;02_TVN_RTCM_31_GPS_Only_EXPIRING;02_TVN_RTCM_31_GPS_Only_EXPIRING;RTCM 3.1;1004(1), 1005/1007(5), 1030(8), 1032(10), 1033(5);2;GPS;VRS Now;GBR;0;0;1;1;Trimble Pivot Platform;None;B;Y;0;OSTN02;
STR;02_TVN_CMR_PLUS_EXPIRING;02_TVN_CMR_PLUS_EXPIRING;CMR+;Obs(1), PBS Info (11);2;GPS+GLONASS;VRS Now;GBR;0;0;1;1;Trimble Pivot Platform;None;B;Y;0;OSTN02;
STR;02_TVN_CMR_X_EXPIRING;02_TVN_CMR_X_EXPIRING;CMRx;CMRx;2;GPS+GLONASS;VRS Now;GBR;0;0;1;1;Trimble Pivot Platform;None;B;Y;0;OSTN02;
STR;02_TVN_DGPS_EXPIRING;02_TVN_DGPS_EXPIRING;RTCM 2.3;1/31(1), 3/22(6), 23/24 (5);2;GPS+GLONASS;VRS Now;GBR;0;0;1;1;Trimble Pivot Platform;None;B;Y;0;OSTN02;
STR;02_Station_KIRW_EXPIRING;02_Station_KIRW_EXPIRING;RTCM 3.1;1004/1012(1), 1005/1007(5), 1033(5);2;GPS+GLONASS;VRS Now;GBR;0;0;1;0;Trimble Pivot Platform;None;B;Y;0;OSTN02;
STR;02_Station_LERW_EXPIRING;02_Station_LERW_EXPIRING;RTCM 3.1;1004/1012(1), 1005/1007(5), 1033(5);2;GPS+GLONASS;VRS Now;GBR;0;0;1;0;Trimble Pivot Platform;None;B;Y;0;OSTN02;
STR;15_Station_KIRW;15_Station_KIRW;RTCM 3.1;1004/1012(1), 1005/1007(5), 1033(5);2;GPS+GLONASS;VRS Now;GBR;0;0;1;0;Trimble Pivot Platform;None;B;Y;0;OSTN15;
STR;15_Station_LERW;15_Station_LERW;RTCM 3.1;1004/1012(1), 1005/1007(5), 1033(5);2;GPS+GLONASS;VRS Now;GBR;0;0;1;0;Trimble Pivot Platform;None;B;Y;0;OSTN15;
STR;15_TVN_CMR_PLUS;15_TVN_CMR_PLUS;CMR+;Obs(1), PBS Info (11);2;GPS+GLONASS;VRS Now;GBR;0;0;1;1;Trimble Pivot Platform;None;B;Y;0;OSTN15;
STR;15_TVN_CMR_X_GPS_GLO;15_TVN_CMR_X_GPS_GLO;CMRx;CMRx;2;GPS+GLONASS;VRS Now;GBR;0;0;1;1;Trimble Pivot Platform;None;B;Y;0;OSTN15;
STR;15_TVN_DGPS;15_TVN_DGPS;RTCM 2.3;1/31(1), 3/22(6), 23/24 (5);2;GPS+GLONASS;VRS Now;GBR;0;0;1;1;Trimble Pivot Platform;None;B;Y;0;OSTN15;
STR;15_TVN_RTCM_23;15_TVN_RTCM_23;RTCM 2.3;18/19(1),3/22(6), 23/24(5);2;GPS;VRS Now;GBR;0;0;1;1;Trimble Pivot Platform;None;B;Y;0;OSTN15;
STR;15_TVN_RTCM_31;15_TVN_RTCM_31;RTCM 3.1;1004/1012(1), 1005/1007(5), 1030/1031(8), 1032(10), 1033(5);2;GPS+GLONASS; VRS NOW;GBR;0;0;1;1;Trimble Pivot Platform;None;B;Y;0;OSTN15;
STR;15_TVN_RTCM_31_GPS_Only;15_TVN_RTCM_31_GPS_Only;RTCM 3.1;1004(1), 1005/1007(5), 1030(8), 1032(10), 1033(5);2;GPS;VRS Now;GBR;0;0;1;1;Trimble Pivot Platform;None;B;Y;0;OSTN15;
STR;15_TVN_CMR_X;15_TVN_CMR_X;CMRx;CMRx;2;GPS+GLO+GAL+BDS+QZS;VRS Now;GBR;0;0;1;1;Trimble Pivot Platform;None;B;Y;0;OSTN15;
STR;15_TVN_RTCM_32;15_TVN_RTCM_32;RTCM 3.2;1004/1012(1), 1005/1007(5), 1030/1031(8), 1032(10), 1033(5);2;GPS+GLO+GAL+BDS+QZS; VRS NOW;GBR;0;0;1;1;Trimble Pivot Platform;None;B;Y;0;OSTN15;
ENDSOURCETABLE
----------------------------------------------------

 

[Northern farmer]

STR;TVN_AG;TVN_AG;AG;Obs(1),Info(10),PBSInfo(11);2;GPS+GLO+GAL+BDS+QZS;VRS Now;GBR;0;0;1;1;Trimble Pivot Platform;None;B;Y;0;;
-stream must be of CMRx type.
Novatel SMART 7 specs say only CMR / CMR+

Good point, missed that.

 

[ibernat]

Part 3 - Configuring an External UHF Modem

There is the “third” way to get RTK correction data into the VarioGuide and I think this has been by and large the default way of connecting to a third-party (e.g. not a Fendt portable) UHF fixed or portable base.

If you want to connect to an existing external base, over which you have no control of the settings (e.g. frequency, channel width etc) and the frequency the base is using falls outside of the range you can receive using the AGCO internal radio (455 to 459 MHz) and/or the base is using a 12.5 KHz channel spacing, then this might be your only bet.

There is a spare serial port on the right hand side of the VarioGuide unit in the roof. See picture below. An external modem (about the size of a packet of cigarettes) is connected to this port using a simple serial connection – 5 wires in total.

Its possible to buy a little Satelline EASy UHF radio modem exactly for this task.

A very basic serial cable can then be made up using a DB15 connector at the modem end and a Deutch DT06-12SB connector at the VarioGuide end, some pins, blanking plugs and an inline 1A fuse for the power supply to the modem from the VarioGuide port.

“External base” is the Base Type setting using on the terminal, you then set the port speed and parity to match the data modem. A special serial port adapter is available to put the external Satel modem into programming mode, its about £35. Modem settings are defined/programmed using free software, Satel Configuration Manager off their website.

View attachment 247758

This serial port outputs a NMEA when I configure external modem on Fendt screen?

 

[Northern farmer]

This serial port outputs a NMEA when I configure external modem on Fendt screen?

Which serial port are you referring to? The aux modem serial port at the receiver or the port at the tractor cabin roof? There is no external modem port on the Fendt screen.

 

[ibernat]

This serial port outputs a NMEA when I configure external modem on Fendt screen?

The pin 10 and 11 of the right 12pin deuch connector of agi4.

The problem I have is that I use the internal modem of agi4 but it is 2g and I have problems of coverage because the operator is decommissioning or not repairing the mobile 2g antennas.

If I use the external modem, I can connect a ardusimple 4g ntrip master. But the ntrip master only works if receive NMEA format.
And reply to the topcon with the rtcm correction.


The solution the dealer gave is to buy a new receiver. But it's costly

 

[Northern farmer]

There is a commercial product that works, Digifarm Beacon 3.0:

Beacon Landing • DigiFarm VBN

The Beacon V3.0 is DigiFarm's original bluetooth corrections streaming device. Simply plug in The Beacon and pair with your iOS device.

digifarm.com

I don't know how your ntrip master is configured but the issue must be there.

Is it the rough rover location for VRS that the ntrip master is lacking? You could configure a fixed location, specifically if you are using a single base RTK source.

 

[zeltini1401]

I have a Topcon AGI-4 on the Fendt antenna and wires for the original RTK module.
At the dealer, the RTK module costs 2600e and plus the license 4000e.
The guys from ardusimple can't be fooled by how to connect their module.
The Digifarm module is good, best does not work in Latvia.
Do I have any other options?
Thank you.