# Stonex S980A / S900A

The Stonex S980A and S900A are professional survey-grade GNSS receivers by Stonex. The S980A is the flagship model with IMU tilt compensation, a built-in 4G modem, and multi-constellation tracking. The S900A is a capable mid-range receiver sharing the same NTRIP workflow. Both receivers are configured through **Stonex Cube-a** field software running on an Android controller, or alternatively through the receiver's **built-in Web UI** accessible at `192.168.10.1`.

## Requirements

* **Stonex S980A or S900A** powered on with clear sky visibility
* **Stonex Cube-a** field software on an Android controller or tablet
* **Internet connection** via the receiver's built-in 4G modem (SIM card), phone hotspot, or controller mobile data
* **RTKdata.com account** with active RTK credentials (username starting with `rtk` and password from your RTK dashboard)
* **Survey pole** with Stonex adapter

{% 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 via Stonex Cube-a

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

#### Connect to the receiver

1. Power on your S980A or S900A and wait for satellite tracking (LED indicators confirm satellite lock).
2. Open **Stonex Cube-a** on your Android controller.
3. Go to **Tool** > **Connect** and select your Stonex receiver from the Bluetooth device list.
4. Pair and connect. Cube-a will display the receiver model and current status.
   {% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Configure the rover working mode

1. In Cube-a, go to **Tool** > **Working Mode**.
2. Select **Rover** as the working mode.
3. Under **Connection Mode**, select **NTRIP**.
4. If using the **receiver's internal SIM card** for internet: select the network type that uses the receiver's modem and configure the APN for your mobile carrier (common carriers are pre-stored in Cube-a; select **Custom** if yours is not listed).
5. If using **controller internet** (PDA Network): select the option that routes internet through the controller/tablet.
   {% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Enter RTKdata.com NTRIP settings

Fill in the NTRIP connection fields. Select the tab for your region:

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

* **Host / Caster IP:** `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`
  {% endtab %}

{% tab title="Europe" %}

* **Host / Caster IP:** `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`
  {% endtab %}

{% tab title="Australia" %}

* **Host / Caster IP:** `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`
  {% endtab %}
  {% endtabs %}

{% hint style="warning" %}
Type `AUTO` manually in all capital letters. Do not tap "Recover Mountpoint" or "Recupera Mountpoint" to browse the source table — it may time out or return an incomplete list with large casters. Simply type `AUTO` directly.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Verify GGA position sending

1. In the NTRIP settings, ensure **Send GGA** (or **Send NMEA position**) is enabled.
2. RTKdata requires your rover's GGA position to select the nearest base station and generate corrections for your location.

{% hint style="danger" %}
RTKdata will not send corrections unless it receives your rover's GGA position. If GGA sending is disabled, the NTRIP connection will appear successful but no correction data will arrive.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Apply and start the survey

1. Tap **OK** and then **Apply** (or **Applica**) to save the rover configuration to the receiver.
2. Return to the main survey screen in Cube-a.
3. Start a new survey or continue an existing project.
4. The receiver connects to the internet, then to the RTKdata NTRIP caster.
5. Watch the solution status: **Autonomous** > **DGPS** > **Float** > **Fixed**.
6. Once Fixed, you are ready to collect points, stake out, or run your survey workflow.
   {% endstep %}
   {% endstepper %}

## Alternative: Setup via Web UI (192.168.10.1)

The S980A and S900A also have a built-in web configuration interface:

1. Connect your phone or laptop to the receiver's Wi-Fi hotspot (SSID is typically the receiver serial number).
2. Open a browser and navigate to **`192.168.10.1`**.
3. In the Web UI, go to **Rover Mode** > **Data Link** > **Network**.
4. Enter the Caster Service parameters: host, port, mountpoint, username, and password as listed above.
5. Click **Apply** to save the configuration.
6. The receiver will connect to the NTRIP caster and begin receiving corrections.

This method is useful for quick configuration without Cube-a, or when troubleshooting connectivity issues.

## S980A tilt compensation

The S980A features IMU-based tilt compensation. Once RTK Fix is achieved, Cube-a will prompt you to initialize the IMU sensor if needed — walk a few steps to calibrate. Initialization typically takes only a few seconds. You can then measure with the pole tilted without leveling.

## Compatible field software

In addition to Cube-a, Stonex receivers are compatible with:

* **Carlson SurvPC / SurvCE** — configure NTRIP under Equip > GPS Rover > Internet settings
* **MicroSurvey FieldGenius** — configure NTRIP under Instrument > GNSS Rover Setup
* **QField / QGIS** — use an external NTRIP client app (e.g., Lefebure) to feed corrections via Bluetooth

## Vertical reference (heights)

{% hint style="info" %}
Heights from RTKdata.com are **ellipsoidal**, not orthometric (mean sea level). Configure a geoid model in Cube-a under your project coordinate system settings if your project requires orthometric heights.
{% endhint %}

## Troubleshooting

| Problem                             | Cause                                          | Fix                                                                                                                        |
| ----------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| No internet connection              | SIM card not active or APN misconfigured       | Check SIM card data plan. Configure the correct APN for your carrier in the network settings (or select Custom in Cube-a). |
| Empty mountpoint list               | Source table timeout or wrong host             | Do not browse — type `AUTO` manually in all caps. Verify the host address.                                                 |
| No corrections received             | GGA sending disabled                           | Enable **Send GGA** in the NTRIP settings. RTKdata requires GGA to select the nearest base.                                |
| Stuck on Float                      | Poor sky conditions or far from base           | Move to open sky. Check RTKdata base coverage at [rtkdata.com](https://rtkdata.com).                                       |
| Credentials rejected                | Using website login instead of RTK credentials | Use the username (starting with `rtk`) and password from your RTK dashboard, not your website account.                     |
| Web UI not loading                  | Not connected to receiver Wi-Fi                | Connect your device to the receiver's Wi-Fi hotspot first, then navigate to `192.168.10.1`.                                |
| "Connection Mode" not showing NTRIP | Working mode set to Base                       | Change the working mode to **Rover** first under Tool > Working Mode.                                                      |

## Tips and tricks

* **The S980A's built-in 4G modem** eliminates the need for a phone hotspot — insert a SIM card and the receiver manages internet connectivity independently.
* **Save the NTRIP profile** so your crew can reuse it without re-entering settings each day.
* **S900A users** without a built-in modem should use the controller's internet connection.
* **Check correction age** in the Cube-a status bar. Values above 5 seconds indicate an unstable internet link.
* **The Web UI at 192.168.10.1** is a quick way to verify or change NTRIP settings without launching Cube-a.
* **Keep firmware updated** via the Stonex firmware update tool to benefit from the latest GNSS constellation support.