RTKUSA Base

Setting up the RTK USA base is a simple process. Use this guide to help.

Setting Up Your RTKUSA Base

01 Getting Started

What You’re Setting Up

Your RTKUSA Base Station is the foundation of your accuracy. Once installed correctly, it continuously transmits correction data to improve positioning down to the centimeter level.

What’s in the Box

02 Antenna Installation

Why This Matters

If you get this wrong, nothing else matters. 

Placement Requirements

Locate a sturdy location where you can mount the antenna. You will need to make sure there are no obstructions from the horizon 360 degrees around the antenna. The peak of your roof is often an ideal location.

Mount the antenna using the included mounting pole and bracket, then connect one end of the 9m antenna cable to the antenna.

Run the other end of the antenna to the base station.

Best option: Roof peak or elevated mast

Prepare the Base Station

Remove the red plastic cap from the WiFi-BT input and connect the WiFi antenna. 

base_wifi

Next, remove the red plastic cap for "GNSS+" and connect the smaller end of the antenna cable.

Next, plug in the USB-C cable and power the device with any USB charger that provides at least 1 amp.

It can take up to 7 days to get a precise point once the RTKUSA Base is installed and configured. A "FIX" will not be available until this process is complete. If you ordered your RTKUSA Base with RTK then once the fix is obtained you will receive your RTKUSA Base credentials on your RTKUSA Cloud Account. 

Installation Steps

  1. Mount the antenna using included hardware
  2. Connect antenna cable to antenna
  3. Route cable to base station

Pro Tip: Signal quality = performance.

Bad placement = bad corrections = wasted time.

03 Base Station Setup

Connect Hardware

  1. Attach WiFi antenna
  2. Connect GNSS antenna cable
  3. Plug in USB-C power (minimum 1A)

Power On

Switch your RTKUSA Base unit to the "ON" position using the small slide switch. The left red LED (Power) will turn solid.

The right green LED (WiFi Internet) should be blinking slowly.  

The middle orange LED (PPS) will be off and activated later. 

The device is now in the “Access Point Mode” (AP Mode). 

LED Indicators

The unit is now ready for configuration.

LED

FUNCTION

STATUS
RED Power SOLID: when powered
ORANGE PPS (Pulse Per Second) BLINKING (1s): antenna sees satellites
GREEN WiFi / Internet (2Ghz)

BLINKING (slow): Access Point Mode, Used for configuring Internet Connection.

(http://192.268.4.1)

 

BLINKING (fast): Attempting to connect to Internet via configured SSID and Password

 

SOLID: Internet is connected.

For debugging, the USB-C can be used as a serial communication port.  Note: we recommend using the provided WiFi antenna, as during testing we have seen issues with other WiFi antennas.

04 Connect to the Base Station

Step 1: Join the Network

This unit requires a 2.4Ghz WiFi network.

Please make sure that the WiFi password does not contain  any special characters.

When first powered on, your RTKUSA base station will emit a WiFi network of its own called MobileCM. Using your phone, PC, or Mac, connect to your RTKUSA Base Station's WiFi. This step does not require an internet connection. 

“No Internet” message is normal.

Step 2: Open Setup Page

 Once you are connected to the RTKUSA base stations' Wi-Fi network, open a web browser and navigate to the setup page. 

NOTE: On Mac or iOS devices the following page may pop-up without having to enter the IP Address.

Step 3: Enter Network Info

Required Inputs

Use this format for the Miner Key, rtkusaMinerLocation, it must be unique and at least 12 characters. (DO NOT USE THE MINER SN)

ex: rtkusaPrescottAZ 

Save Settings

If the green light starts flashing again, the miner has not connected to WiFi.  You will need to check if you did it correctly, and try again.

05 Confirm Connection

When the RTKUSA Base gets a full green light, notify RTKUSA team that it is operational.  We will confirm. Send email to admin@rtkusa.com with your Miner Key as the Subject.

Access Device on Network

To access the device's web-based portal you must first identify the IP address of the device. To do this you most commonly will log into your WiFi router and look for the device in your network map. 

  1. Log into your router
  2. Find device named: espressif
  3. Note IP address (192.168.x.x)
  4. Enter IP into browser

Login

Use your Miner Key

06 System Active

Confirmation

When setup is complete:

Your base station is now sending correction data.

07 Accuracy Lock Period

What to Expect

Your base station needs time to establish a precise position.

Why This Matters

This process enables:

Skipping this step leads to poor data.

08 Troubleshooting

WiFi Issues

Reset Device

Press reset button to return to setup mode

Weak Performance

Check antenna placement:

09 Signal Quality (SNR)

Acceptable Range

What Affects Signal

Recommendation

Install antenna in open sky for best performance

10 What Happens Next

After Stabilization

Once your base station is fully established:

Outcome