# DJI Phantom 4 RTK

Connect the **DJI Phantom 4 RTK** to RTKdata.com for centimeter-level positioning. The P4R is a legacy survey drone still widely used for photogrammetry and mapping. This guide covers the complete NTRIP setup using the **GS RTK app**.

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The Phantom 4 RTK uses the **GS RTK app**, NOT DJI Pilot 2. All menu paths in this guide refer to GS RTK.
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## Requirements

* **Aircraft:** DJI Phantom 4 RTK (model designation P4R)
* **Controller:** DJI P4R controller with built-in screen (or optional CrystalSky monitor)
* **Software:** GS RTK app — installed and updated to the latest available version
* **Firmware:** Aircraft firmware updated via DJI Assistant 2
* **Internet:** USB 4G dongle strongly recommended (see warning below)
* **RTKdata account:** Active subscription with NTRIP credentials

{% hint style="warning" %}
The P4R controller's built-in Wi-Fi module is known to be weak. Phone hotspot connections are unreliable beyond a few meters of distance. For professional field use, a **USB 4G dongle** plugged directly into the controller is strongly recommended. This is the single most effective upgrade for reliable RTK connectivity with the P4R.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="info" %}
Don't have an RTKdata.com account yet? 👉 [Start 30-day Free Trial](https://rtkdata.com/try-rtk-corrections-free-for-30-days/) or [View Pricing](https://rtkdata.com/pricing/)
{% endhint %}

## Step-by-step setup

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#### Power on and link

Power on the Phantom 4 RTK and the controller. Wait for them to connect.
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#### Connect to the internet

Plug in your USB 4G dongle, or connect to a phone Wi-Fi hotspot through the controller's Wi-Fi settings.
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#### Open GS RTK

Launch the **GS RTK** app on the controller and enter the **flight/camera view**.
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#### Open RTK settings

Tap the **RTK** menu button (located on the left sidebar or in the top status bar area).
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#### Select Custom Network RTK

In the RTK settings screen, select **Custom Network RTK** as the correction source.
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{% step %}

#### Enter NTRIP connection settings

Select your region and enter the corresponding server details:

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="North America" %}

* **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`
  {% endtab %}

{% tab title="Europe" %}

* **Host (domain):** `eu.rtkdata.com`
* **Host (IP fallback):** `3.73.41.96`
* **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`
  {% endtab %}

{% tab title="Australia" %}

* **Host (domain):** `aus.rtkdata.com`
* **Host (IP fallback):** `54.206.56.130`
* **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`
  {% endtab %}
  {% endtabs %}

{% hint style="warning" %}
Only these four mountpoints are valid. Typing local CRS names as mountpoints will result in **no corrections**. Always use **ALL CAPS**.
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#### Connect and verify

* Tap **Connect** to save and apply the settings
* Move the drone **outdoors** to a location with clear, open sky — the P4R needs a GNSS satellite fix before it sends position data to the NTRIP server
* Monitor the RTK status indicator in GS RTK:

| Status     | Color  | Meaning                                                 | Typical Duration |
| ---------- | ------ | ------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------- |
| **SINGLE** | Red    | Basic GPS fix. No corrections applied.                  | Immediate        |
| **FLOAT**  | Yellow | Correction data being processed. Accuracy improving.    | 30–60 seconds    |
| **FIX**    | Green  | Centimeter-level accuracy achieved. Std dev below 2 cm. | 60–120 seconds   |

The P4R has a smaller GNSS antenna than newer DJI enterprise drones, so convergence takes slightly longer. Allow up to **2 minutes** in partially obstructed environments.

{% hint style="info" %}
Check the standard deviation readout in GS RTK. When both horizontal and vertical std dev show values under 0.02 m (2 cm), you have a reliable FIX.
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{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

## Battery swap procedure

{% hint style="warning" %}
This is the most reported issue with the Phantom 4 RTK. The GS RTK app **does not always automatically reconnect** to the NTRIP server after a battery swap. Follow these steps every time:

1. After powering back on, go into the RTK menu and tap **Connect** again
2. Wait for the status to progress back to **FIX** before resuming your mission
3. Plan your flight missions to complete within a single battery whenever possible to avoid reconnection delays
   {% endhint %}

## Vertical reference (heights)

{% hint style="info" %}
RTK corrections deliver **ellipsoidal heights** (height above the WGS 84 ellipsoid), not orthometric heights (height above mean sea level). If your workflow requires orthometric heights, apply a geoid model in your post-processing software.
{% endhint %}

## Troubleshooting

| Problem                            | Cause                      | Fix                                                                                                             |
| ---------------------------------- | -------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| "Connection Failed" or timeout     | No internet on controller  | Open a browser on the controller to verify internet access.                                                     |
| "Connection Failed" or timeout     | 4G dongle not detected     | Remove and reinsert the dongle. Some older controller firmware has USB detection issues.                        |
| "Connection Failed" or timeout     | Wrong port number          | Verify the port is `2101`. Do not use default ports from other NTRIP services.                                  |
| RTK never leaves FLOAT             | Obstructed sky view        | The P4R's smaller antenna is more sensitive to obstructions. Move to a completely open area.                    |
| RTK never leaves FLOAT             | Out of base station range  | Ensure you are within 50 km of an RTKdata base station.                                                         |
| RTK never leaves FLOAT             | Insufficient wait time     | Allow at least 2–3 minutes before concluding FIX is not achievable. The P4R converges slower than newer models. |
| GS RTK app freezes                 | Controller hardware limits | Close and reopen GS RTK. If persistent, restart the controller entirely.                                        |
| Connection lost after battery swap | Normal P4R behavior        | Re-enter RTK settings and tap Connect after every battery swap.                                                 |

## Tips

* **Use a USB 4G dongle, not Wi-Fi.** The P4R controller's Wi-Fi antenna is notoriously weak. A 4G dongle provides significantly more stable internet for NTRIP corrections in the field.
* **Firmware still matters.** Even though the P4R is a legacy product, DJI has released firmware updates that improved RTK stability. Ensure you are on the latest available version.
* **Photo geotagging:** The P4R writes RTK-corrected coordinates directly into photo EXIF data. Verify this in your photogrammetry software by checking that coordinate accuracy values are present in the metadata.
* **GS RTK only.** The Phantom 4 RTK works exclusively with GS RTK. Do not attempt to use DJI Pilot 2 — it does not support the P4R.
* **Cold starts take longer.** If the drone has been powered off for an extended period or moved to a new location, initial GNSS acquisition and RTK convergence will take longer. Allow extra time.
* **Survey-grade results:** For best photogrammetry accuracy, fly overlapping grid patterns at consistent altitude with RTK FIX maintained throughout. If FIX is lost mid-flight, note which photos were captured during FLOAT for post-processing quality control.
* **End of life planning.** The P4R is no longer manufactured. Consider migrating to the Mavic 3 Enterprise RTK or Matrice 4 Enterprise RTK for continued DJI support and firmware updates.


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