# Host a Base Station

If you're in an area with limited coverage, you can host a GNSS base station and get **1 year of free RTK service** in return.

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## What We Provide

* A **compact GNSS reference station** (roughly the size of a large water bottle)
* Pre-configured and ready to install — no technical setup required
* Remote monitoring and maintenance by the RTKdata team
* **1 year of free RTK corrections** for your account

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## What You Provide

| Requirement    | Details                                                                                     |
| -------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Location**   | A spot with clear, unobstructed sky view (roof, pole, fence post)                           |
| **Power**      | 1.5W via USB-C — a standard phone charger is sufficient                                     |
| **Wi-Fi**      | 2.4 GHz network, always-on — the station uses approximately 5 kbit/s (negligible bandwidth) |
| **Permanence** | The station must remain stationary. Any movement invalidates the calibration.               |
| **Protection** | Sheltered from direct rain/snow on the USB port. The antenna itself is weatherproof.        |

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## Installation Requirements

### Sky View

The station needs a **clear view of the sky** in all directions, ideally down to 10–15 degrees above the horizon.

**Good locations:**

* Rooftop (flat or pitched — both work)
* Top of a pole or fence post
* Open balcony with no overhead cover

**Bad locations:**

* Under a metal roof or overhang
* Near large trees that block the sky
* Inside a building or garage
* Next to tall walls or structures on multiple sides

### Height

The station does **not** need to be extremely high. A rooftop at normal building height (3–10 m) is ideal. Putting it on a tall cell tower adds cost and complexity without meaningful accuracy improvement — low-elevation satellites (near the horizon) are actually the least reliable for RTK.

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## The Process

1. **You send us your location** — GPS coordinates or a Google Maps pin
2. **We evaluate coverage** — Is there a gap? Would a station here help the network?
3. **We ship the station** — Pre-configured, ready to install
4. **You install it** — Mount it in a good sky-view location, connect power and Wi-Fi
5. **Auto-calibration** — The station calibrates automatically over 12–24 hours
6. **Station goes live** — It starts providing corrections to the RTKdata network

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## Calibration Period

After installation, the station needs **12–24 hours** to determine its precise position. During this time:

* The station is collecting satellite observations
* RTKdata servers compute the exact antenna position
* No manual input or configuration is needed
* The station will appear on the coverage map after calibration completes

> **Do NOT move the station during or after calibration.** Even a few centimeters of movement will require re-calibration.

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## Frequently Asked Questions

### "Is the station data private / only for me?"

No. The station becomes part of the RTKdata public network. All subscribers in range can use it. In return, you get 1 year of free service.

### "Can I access the raw data (RINEX) from the station?"

Raw observation data is managed by RTKdata. Contact support if you have a specific need for base station observation files.

### "What if my internet goes down?"

The station will buffer briefly and reconnect automatically. Short outages (minutes) are fine. Extended outages (days) will take the station offline until connectivity is restored.

### "What if I move or need to remove the station?"

Contact us before removing the station. We'll coordinate the return or relocation. If you relocate the station yourself, it will need to re-calibrate (12–24 hours).

### "Does it need a SIM card or cellular connection?"

No. Wi-Fi is sufficient. The data rate is approximately 5 kbit/s — less than streaming a single song. Any standard home or office Wi-Fi works.

### "What about power consumption?"

The station draws approximately 1.5 watts — less than a phone charger. Annual electricity cost is negligible (under $2/year).

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## Interested?

Send your proposed location to <support@rtkdata.com> with:

1. **GPS coordinates** or a Google Maps link of the installation site
2. **Photos** of the proposed mounting location (showing sky view)
3. **Confirmation** that you can provide permanent power (USB-C) and Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz)

We'll evaluate the location and get back to you within a few business days.