Trimble Receivers (General)

This guide covers setup for Trimble Access, Trimble Earthworks, and other Trimble controllers (TSC5, TSC7, T7, Tablet). Trimble receivers are fully compatible with RTKdata — but require specific settings because RTKdata is NOT a VRS network.

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Important: RTKdata is NOT VRS

RTKdata delivers standard RTCM corrections via NTRIP from physical base stations. It does NOT provide Trimble-proprietary VRS/iMAX/CMRx streams.

If you select a "Network RTK" or "VRS" survey style in Trimble Access, the software will wait indefinitely for virtual reference station data that never arrives. This is the #1 cause of Trimble connection failures with RTKdata.

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Trimble Access Setup (Step-by-Step)

Step 1: Create a New Survey Style

1. Open Trimble Access

2. Go to Settings > Survey Styles

3. Tap New (do NOT modify an existing VRS/Network RTK style)

4. Name it: RTKdata Single Base

Step 2: Configure Correction Source

1. In the survey style, go to Rover options > Correction source

2. Select: Internet connection

3. Set correction type to: RTCM v3

4. Do NOT select "VRS", "iMAX", "Network RTK", or "CMRx"

Step 3: NTRIP Settings

Setting	Value
Connection type	NTRIP
Host	eu.rtkdata.com (Europe) / rtk.rtkdata.com (Global) / aus.rtkdata.com (Australia)
Port	2101
Mountpoint	AUTO
Username	Your NTRIP username (starts with rtk)
Password	Your NTRIP password

Step 4: Start Survey

1. Go to Survey > Start survey

2. Select the RTKdata Single Base style you just created

3. Wait for satellite lock (6+ satellites)

4. Wait for RTK Fix — this should happen within 30–90 seconds

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Common Trimble Problems

"Starting Survey" Stuck at ~90%

Cause: You are using a Network RTK / VRS survey style. Trimble Access is waiting for VRS data that RTKdata does not provide.

Fix:

1. Stop the survey

2. Create a new survey style as described above

3. Make sure the correction type is set to RTCM v3 (NOT VRS/iMAX)

4. Restart the survey

Empty Mountpoint List

Cause: Some Trimble controllers (and Topcon MAGNET Field) cannot parse the RTKdata sourcetable correctly.

Fix: Do NOT browse for mountpoints. Instead, manually type AUTO (ALL CAPS) in the mountpoint field.

"No Corrections Received"

Check these in order:

1. Is your survey style set to RTCM v3 (not VRS/CMRx)?

2. Is the mountpoint AUTO in ALL CAPS?

3. Are you using your NTRIP credentials (not website login)?

4. Does the controller have internet access?

Trimble DA2 / Catalyst Compatibility

Trimble Catalyst with a Free license may block third-party NTRIP sources. You need at least a Catalyst Basic license to use external NTRIP correction services like RTKdata.

If you're using Catalyst Free and cannot connect:

• Upgrade your Catalyst license, OR

• Use the Trimble DA2 with Trimble Access directly (not through Catalyst app)

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Trimble Earthworks (Machine Control)

Trimble Earthworks handles NTRIP differently than Trimble Access and is generally easier to set up:

1. Go to GNSS Configuration > Corrections

2. Select NTRIP as the correction source

3. Enter the RTKdata server details (same as table above)

4. Mountpoint: AUTO

5. Enter your NTRIP credentials

Earthworks typically connects without issues because it does not enforce VRS-specific protocols.

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Trimble Access vs. Earthworks — Key Differences

Feature	Trimble Access	Trimble Earthworks
VRS enforcement	Yes — must explicitly select RTCM/Single Base	No — accepts standard NTRIP
Survey style needed	Yes — create "Single Base" style	No — just configure NTRIP
Common issue	Stuck at 90%	Rare connection issues
Mountpoint browsing	Often fails — type manually	Usually works

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Recommended Settings Summary

Setting	Value
Survey style type	Single Base / RTCM
Correction format	RTCM v3
NTRIP version	v1 or v2 (both work)
GGA sending	Automatic (enabled by default in Trimble)
Mountpoint	AUTO (typed manually, ALL CAPS)
Port	2101

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Still Not Working?

Before contacting support, gather:

1. Screenshot of your survey style settings (correction source section)

2. Screenshot of the NTRIP connection settings

3. Your Trimble controller model and software version

4. The exact error message or behavior

Contact support at [email protected] with this information.