Pheasant Surprise
Member
- Location
- Woodbridge, Suffolk
Here is a bit of a mini-tutorial on configuring the current Fendt VarioGuide with RTK correction using either a portable or fixed UHF base (correction source) and the built-in UHF radio. Contrary to accepted wisdom, this will work with more than just a "Fendt" portable base. Its entirely possible to get an RTK correction with a third-party UHF base, so long as the UHF base is within a certain range of frequencies and has matching channel spacing (see more below).
I'll try and keep this hopefully as clear and concise as possible, however if I've missed anything, then let me know and I'll update. I apologise if this all comes across as a bit too "techy". If something isn't clear I'll try to explain it as best I can in layman terms. I'll also try and add in some screen shots and photos.
I'm going to divide this into 3 parts, to help split up the info: (1) General Observations, (2) Configuring the Internal UHF Modem, and (3) Configuring an External UHF Modem.
I'm going to skip configuring RTK using the mobile network (GPRS) modem, as that's pretty straightforward.
Part 1 - General Observations
1. The current VarioGuide is based on Topcon sourced AGI-4 based hardware, overlaid with AGCO/Fendt software and firmware. It is not possible to firmware re-flash a 'white' Fendt VarioGuide receiver with firmware from a 'grey' Topcon AGI-4 unit.
2. In UK/Europe AGCO offers an RTK modem "clip-in" option, that can either be factory installed or ordered and installed any time after inside the VarioGuide unit. The RTK clip-in (or snap-in) module contains three keys things:
(a) OAF (options authorisation file) to unlock/enable RTK within the receiver
(b) Satel Satellite-3AS UHF radio modem. The module for the UK market is limited to a frequency tuning range of between 455 to 459 MHz. It is also firmware locked to a 25 kHz channel spacing/width.
(c) Motorola G24 quad-band GPRS mobile radio modem, for using mobile network based NTRIP correction source. Not really covered here.
3. In UK/Europe AGCO supplies country-specific RTK modules, in which the UHF radio modem has a narrower and fixed 4 MHz tuneable band within the 403 to 473 MHz range. For example in France the RTK module has a tuneable radio range of 442 to 446 MHz (and a fixed channel width of 12.5 KHz). In the UK the AGCO module can tune between 455 to 459 MHz (and has a fixed channel width of 25 KHz). Officially the reason for doing this is to maintain regulatory compliance with each countries radio spectrum laws. The UHF base you're trying to connect to must transmit within these ranges to be able to connect using the internal UHF radio. If its outside this range, then you're out of luck - go to Part 3 below.
The latest Fendt / AGCO part numbers for this RTK module (updated in September 2015, with quad-and GPRS radio. Previously was a tri-band GPRS radio) are as follows:
AGCO: 0054 259 250 000
Fendt: H835.970.190.492
You will also need the "RTK Completion" kit (AGCO Part No. 0054 259 100 000) which has a short coax lead, right-angle TNC-TNC connector, a little UHF Gainflex antenna and a GPRS antenna included.
4. The RTK module will need to have an IMU (Inertial Management Unit) or otherwise known as the gyro-compass module fitted in the receiver in order to get slope/terrain compensation. This is a separately ordered component (Fendt P/N: H835.970.190.400). You will already have it if you have VarioGuide running with HP satellite-based 10cm correction. More on that in the next point.
5. I am told from reputable sources, that its quite possible (but I have not tested myself) to use a non-AGCO RTK clip-in module available from Topcon directly with VarioGuide. The benefit here is that the Topcon clip-in has an unlimited/full UHF tuning range all the way across from 403 to 473 MHz. Its is also able to set and use any configured channel width including 12.5 kHz, 20 kHz or 25 KHz. The downside is that in Europe and UK, Topcon will only sell you the RTK clip-in module together as a kit together with the gyro-compass, so if you've already got a gyro-compass you'd be buying it again. In the states and Australia it is possible apparently to get RTK enabled with just an unlock code/OAF without a physical clip-in radio modem - but you'd still need an external modem of some sort. If someone is upgrading from a standard EGNOS based VarioGuide (no gyro-compass installed) straight to RTK this could be an appealing option over the AGCO/Fendt sourced RTK clip-in for the additional flexibility as stated above.
6. With a laptop and the free Topcon Receiver Utility (TRU) software on a laptop, it is quite easy to plug-in to the tractor using the 9-pin serial connection in the cab, next to the right-side rear pilar to get full access to the VarioGuide unit. This is useful for diagnostics or to change/configure some of the UHF radio setting like the radio protocol etc, which isn't possible or viewable from the tractor terminal screen. Be warned TRU is quite a powerful tool and you could screw up your receiver settings (or potentially brick it) if your not paying attention or you don't 'close' the connection properly when you're done. More on that in the next post.
I'll try and keep this hopefully as clear and concise as possible, however if I've missed anything, then let me know and I'll update. I apologise if this all comes across as a bit too "techy". If something isn't clear I'll try to explain it as best I can in layman terms. I'll also try and add in some screen shots and photos.
I'm going to divide this into 3 parts, to help split up the info: (1) General Observations, (2) Configuring the Internal UHF Modem, and (3) Configuring an External UHF Modem.
I'm going to skip configuring RTK using the mobile network (GPRS) modem, as that's pretty straightforward.
Part 1 - General Observations
1. The current VarioGuide is based on Topcon sourced AGI-4 based hardware, overlaid with AGCO/Fendt software and firmware. It is not possible to firmware re-flash a 'white' Fendt VarioGuide receiver with firmware from a 'grey' Topcon AGI-4 unit.
2. In UK/Europe AGCO offers an RTK modem "clip-in" option, that can either be factory installed or ordered and installed any time after inside the VarioGuide unit. The RTK clip-in (or snap-in) module contains three keys things:
(a) OAF (options authorisation file) to unlock/enable RTK within the receiver
(b) Satel Satellite-3AS UHF radio modem. The module for the UK market is limited to a frequency tuning range of between 455 to 459 MHz. It is also firmware locked to a 25 kHz channel spacing/width.
(c) Motorola G24 quad-band GPRS mobile radio modem, for using mobile network based NTRIP correction source. Not really covered here.
3. In UK/Europe AGCO supplies country-specific RTK modules, in which the UHF radio modem has a narrower and fixed 4 MHz tuneable band within the 403 to 473 MHz range. For example in France the RTK module has a tuneable radio range of 442 to 446 MHz (and a fixed channel width of 12.5 KHz). In the UK the AGCO module can tune between 455 to 459 MHz (and has a fixed channel width of 25 KHz). Officially the reason for doing this is to maintain regulatory compliance with each countries radio spectrum laws. The UHF base you're trying to connect to must transmit within these ranges to be able to connect using the internal UHF radio. If its outside this range, then you're out of luck - go to Part 3 below.
The latest Fendt / AGCO part numbers for this RTK module (updated in September 2015, with quad-and GPRS radio. Previously was a tri-band GPRS radio) are as follows:
AGCO: 0054 259 250 000
Fendt: H835.970.190.492
You will also need the "RTK Completion" kit (AGCO Part No. 0054 259 100 000) which has a short coax lead, right-angle TNC-TNC connector, a little UHF Gainflex antenna and a GPRS antenna included.
4. The RTK module will need to have an IMU (Inertial Management Unit) or otherwise known as the gyro-compass module fitted in the receiver in order to get slope/terrain compensation. This is a separately ordered component (Fendt P/N: H835.970.190.400). You will already have it if you have VarioGuide running with HP satellite-based 10cm correction. More on that in the next point.
5. I am told from reputable sources, that its quite possible (but I have not tested myself) to use a non-AGCO RTK clip-in module available from Topcon directly with VarioGuide. The benefit here is that the Topcon clip-in has an unlimited/full UHF tuning range all the way across from 403 to 473 MHz. Its is also able to set and use any configured channel width including 12.5 kHz, 20 kHz or 25 KHz. The downside is that in Europe and UK, Topcon will only sell you the RTK clip-in module together as a kit together with the gyro-compass, so if you've already got a gyro-compass you'd be buying it again. In the states and Australia it is possible apparently to get RTK enabled with just an unlock code/OAF without a physical clip-in radio modem - but you'd still need an external modem of some sort. If someone is upgrading from a standard EGNOS based VarioGuide (no gyro-compass installed) straight to RTK this could be an appealing option over the AGCO/Fendt sourced RTK clip-in for the additional flexibility as stated above.
6. With a laptop and the free Topcon Receiver Utility (TRU) software on a laptop, it is quite easy to plug-in to the tractor using the 9-pin serial connection in the cab, next to the right-side rear pilar to get full access to the VarioGuide unit. This is useful for diagnostics or to change/configure some of the UHF radio setting like the radio protocol etc, which isn't possible or viewable from the tractor terminal screen. Be warned TRU is quite a powerful tool and you could screw up your receiver settings (or potentially brick it) if your not paying attention or you don't 'close' the connection properly when you're done. More on that in the next post.
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