SparkFun RTK Facet

SparkFun RTK Facet - How to Connect with RTKdata.com (NTRIP RTK Setup)

SparkFun RTK Facet survey receiver connected to RTKdata.com for centimeter accuracy

Get centimeter‑level positioning on your SparkFun RTK Facet by streaming RTK corrections from RTKdata.com via NTRIP in your field app (e.g., SW Maps). This guide follows the video flow (power on → Bluetooth GNSS → NTRIP profile → connect → RTK FIX)

Requirements

  • SparkFun RTK Facet rover (integrated antenna), mounted on a pole/tripod with open sky

  • Phone/tablet with internet (Wi‑Fi / hotspot / LTE)

  • Field app with an NTRIP client (e.g., SW Maps on Android/iOS)

  • RTKdata.com credentials (username/password).

Don’t have an RTKdata.com account yet? 👉 Start 30-day Free Trial or View Pricing

Quick checklist

  1. Power on the Facet → confirm it boots to Rover and starts tracking sats.

  2. In your app: create/select a Project → Bluetooth GNSS → Scan → connect to the Facet.

  3. Set Instrument model to SparkFun RTK (or Generic NMEA) and enter pole height (e.g., 2.00 m).

  4. Open the NTRIP client → create a profile → enter IP, port, credentials, mountpoint.

  5. Enable Send NMEA GGA to caster → Connect → verify RTK FIX.

Step‑by‑step setup

1

Power on & Bluetooth connect

  • Press and hold POWER until the Facet wakes and shows firmware/version, then “Rover”.

  • On your phone/tablet, open Bluetooth GNSS in your field app → Scan → select your Facet → Connect.

  • In the app, set Instrument model = SparkFun RTK (or Generic NMEA/BLE) and set Instrument height to your pole height (e.g., 2.00 m). This offsets from the antenna to your ground point.

2

Confirm live positioning

  • The app should display Latitude/Longitude and satellites in view.

  • You are still on standalone GNSS; next you’ll enable RTK corrections.

3

Enter RTKdata.com connection settings (Regional hostnames + IP fallback)

Use the regional RTKdata.com hostname where possible. If your device only accepts numbers or your network DNS blocks hostnames, use the numeric IP fallback. Keep ALL CAPS where noted.

  • Host (domain): rtk.rtkdata.com

  • Host (IP fallback): 13.56.117.10

  • Port: 2101

  • Username / Password: From RTK Credentials in the internal dashboard (not website login)

  • Mountpoint (ALL CAPS): AUTO (recommended) — or AUTO_WGS84, AUTO_ITRF2020, AUTO_ITRF2014

Only these four mountpoints are valid. Typing local CRS names as mountpoints will result in no corrections. Always use ALL CAPS.

4

Enable GGA and connect

  • In the NTRIP settings, enable Send receiver position (NMEA GGA) to caster.

  • Tap Connect. Your app should show NTRIP connected and begin streaming RTCM to the Facet.

5

Verify RTK FIX

  • Watch the solution state progress: GNSS → RTK Float → RTK FIX.

  • In many apps, the position marker turns Green on FIX. On the Facet display, horizontal accuracy typically drops to ~1–2 cm.

  • You’re ready to survey with centimeter‑level positions.

Vertical reference (heights)

RTKdata streams positions in the selected geodetic frame; heights are ellipsoidal by design. If you need orthometric (mean sea level) elevations, apply a geoid in your GIS/photogrammetry workflow (or on the rover if your workflow supports loading a geoid model).

Troubleshooting

  • No connection / no RTCM: Re‑check IP + Port (2101), username/password, and mountpoint = ALL CAPS (AUTO recommended). Ensure the phone has internet.

  • Not getting FIX (stuck on FLOAT): Move to open sky; verify Send NMEA GGA is ON; ensure you used the regional IP nearest to your job site; reconnect.

  • Antenna/pole height wrong in results: Confirm Instrument height matches your pole; remember the rover reports the antenna position unless software applies the offset.

  • App looks different: The flow is the same: Bluetooth GNSS → NTRIP → IP/Port/Creds/Mountpoint → GGA ON → Connect → FIX.

Why RTKdata.com?

  • Centimeter‑level real‑time accuracy

  • < 1 s latency for responsive field work

  • Global reach, dense coverage in key regions

  • Simple IP‑only setup that works across popular field apps and receivers

Need help? → Network parameters · Troubleshooting

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