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
Multi-band GNSS Receiver
Survey-grade GNSS Antenna
Antenna Cable (~9m)
WiFi Antenna
USB-C Power Cable
Mounting Hardware
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.
Full 360° open sky view
No obstructions (trees, buildings, metal structures)
Mounted as high as possible
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. 
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
Mount the antenna using included hardware
Connect antenna cable to antenna
Route cable to base station
Pro Tip: Signal quality = performance.
Bad placement = bad corrections = wasted time.
03 Base Station Setup
Connect Hardware
Attach WiFi antenna
Connect GNSS antenna cable
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
Red (Power): Solid
Green (WiFi): Blinking
Orange (Satellite Sync): Off initially
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. 
Network Name: MobileCM
Password: Device serial number (on back sticker)
“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. 
Go to: 192.168.4.1
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
SSID: Your WiFi name (must be 2.4GHz)
Password: Your WiFi password (Please make sure that the password does not contain  any special characters.)
Miner Key: Unique name (12–18 characters)
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
Green LED should turn solid = success
Blinking = failed connection
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. 
Log into your router
Find device named: espressif
Note IP address (192.168.x.x)
Enter IP into browser
Login
Use your Miner Key
06 System Active
Confirmation
When setup is complete:
Status: TRANSMITTING
Green LED: Solid
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.
Estimated time: 5–7 days
No fixed solution until complete
Why This Matters
This process enables:
Repeatable accuracy
Reliable RTK corrections
Survey-grade results
Skipping this step leads to poor data.
08 Troubleshooting
WiFi Issues
Confirm network is 2.4GHz
Re-enter password carefully
Avoid special characters
Reset Device
Press reset button to return to setup mode
Weak Performance
Check antenna placement:
Must have clear sky view
Elevation improves results
09 Signal Quality (SNR)
Acceptable Range
Ideal: 37–45
Below 32: Not usable
What Affects Signal
Trees
Buildings
Metal structures
Poor placement
Recommendation
Install antenna in open sky for best performance
10 What Happens Next
After Stabilization
Once your base station is fully established:
It becomes part of a correction network
Provides consistent high-accuracy positioning
Improves field efficiency and reliability
Outcome
Faster workflows
Better deliverables
Increased confidence in your data