# SW Maps

SW Maps is a free Android GIS and mapping application that doubles as one of the best NTRIP clients available on mobile. It connects to external Bluetooth GNSS receivers such as the SparkFun RTK Facet, ArduSimple simpleRTK2B, and any u-blox ZED-F9P-based board. SW Maps streams RTK corrections from an NTRIP caster like RTKdata.com directly to your receiver, delivering centimeter-level accuracy for survey-grade field data collection.

**Download:** [Google Play Store](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=np.com.softwel.swmaps) (free)

## Requirements

* Android phone or tablet with internet access (mobile data or Wi-Fi hotspot)
* Bluetooth-capable GNSS receiver (SparkFun RTK Facet, ArduSimple, u-blox F9P board, etc.)
* GNSS antenna with clear sky view (survey pole or tripod recommended)
* Active RTKdata.com account with username and password

{% 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

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

#### Connect your Bluetooth GNSS receiver

1. Power on your GNSS receiver and enable Bluetooth on your Android phone.
2. Open SW Maps and tap the **Bluetooth** icon in the top toolbar (or go to **Menu → Bluetooth GNSS**).
3. Tap **Scan** to discover nearby devices. Select your receiver from the list.
4. Set the **Instrument Model** to match your hardware (e.g., "Generic RTK Receiver" or your specific model).
5. Set the **Instrument Height** to your pole or tripod height.
6. Tap **Connect**. The status bar should begin showing coordinates from the external receiver.

{% hint style="warning" %}
**Phone GPS vs. External Receiver:** After connecting, verify that coordinates come from your external receiver, not the phone's internal GPS. Phone GPS accuracy is typically 5–15 m. Your external receiver should show 1–3 m accuracy before corrections. If the accuracy indicator shows 10+ m, the app is still using the phone's internal GPS. Reconnect via Bluetooth GNSS and confirm the source has switched.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Open the NTRIP client

1. Tap the **Menu** icon (three horizontal lines) in the top-left corner.
2. Tap **NTRIP Client**.
3. Tap **Add New Profile** (or the **+** button).
4. Enter a profile name (e.g., "RTKdata EU" or "RTKdata NA").
   {% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Enter RTKdata.com connection settings

Fill in the following fields:

* **Send NMEA GGA to Caster:** **Enabled (ON)**

{% 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" %}
The **Send NMEA GGA to Caster** toggle must be **ON**. RTKdata.com uses your GGA position to generate corrections from the nearest Virtual Reference Station. Without GGA, the caster cannot compute corrections and you will remain stuck on FLOAT indefinitely.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Connect and verify RTK FIX

1. Tap **Connect** to start the NTRIP correction stream.
2. Watch the status bar at the top as the solution progresses: **Autonomous → DGPS → Float → FIX**.
3. Once you see **RTK FIX**, you have centimeter-level accuracy. This typically takes 10–60 seconds under clear sky.

**How to verify RTK is working:**

* **Solution type** in the status bar reads **FIX** (not Float or Autonomous).
* **Horizontal accuracy** drops to **0.01–0.02 m** (1–2 cm).
* **Age of corrections** stays below 5 seconds (visible in the NMEA data stream).
* The NTRIP icon in the toolbar shows an active connection (no red X).
  {% endstep %}
  {% endstepper %}

## Troubleshooting

| Problem                                   | Cause                           | Fix                                                                     |
| ----------------------------------------- | ------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Position shows phone GPS (10+ m accuracy) | External receiver not connected | Go to **Bluetooth GNSS**, reconnect receiver, verify coordinates change |
| NTRIP connects but stays on FLOAT         | GGA not sent to server          | Enable **Send NMEA GGA to Caster** in the NTRIP profile                 |
| "Connection refused" or timeout           | Wrong host/port or no internet  | Double-check hostname spelling and port `2101`                          |
| Mountpoint error or "No data"             | Mountpoint not uppercase        | Enter `AUTO` in ALL CAPS, not `auto` or `Auto`                          |
| Corrections received but accuracy poor    | Obstructed sky view             | Move to open sky; avoid trees, buildings, overhead cover                |
| Receiver pairs but no position data       | Wrong protocol                  | Ensure NMEA output is enabled on the receiver over Bluetooth            |

## Tips for best results

* **Always confirm your position source.** SW Maps defaults to phone GPS if no Bluetooth device is connected. Double-check before collecting data.
* **Save your NTRIP profile.** The profile persists between sessions so you only configure credentials once.
* **Export data** in GeoJSON, KML, CSV, or Shapefile format directly from the app.
* **Check satellite count.** Tap the satellite icon to see tracking status. You need at least 10–12 satellites for reliable FIX.
* **If FIX drops repeatedly**, check receiver firmware and ensure the antenna has a proper ground plane.