SparkFun RTK Surveying Kit

The SparkFun RTK Surveying Kit is a comprehensive package, equipped to deliver centimeter-level global positioning measurements using GNSS RTK. The kit is housed in a sturdy carrying case that safeguards the crucial components, making it easy for you to attach the L1/L2 antenna and RTK Surveyor housing to the pole or tripod of your preference. The kit comes complete with all the necessary antenna components, cables and chargers, enabling you to get started immediately.

The RTK Surveyor, a key component of the kit, is a Bluetooth® enabled multi-band GNSS receiver. It is based on the ESP32 from Espressif and the ZED-F9P from u-blox. With it, you can achieve an approximate accuracy of 300mm straight out of the box, and an impressive 18mm accuracy with RTCM corrections. The kit provides the L1/L2 antenna, adapters, interface cables, and chargers needed for general GNSS use.

The RTK Surveying Kit is compatible with common GIS software for Android and iOS including SW Maps, Field Genius, SurvPC, Survey Master, Vespucci, QGIS, QField, and any GIS software that supports NMEA over Bluetooth.

For RTCM, it's recommended to use your cellular phone as the radio backhaul. For data logging, Bluetooth connectivity to your phone is advised, which can be easily enabled within SW Maps. For extended surveys or handling RAWX measurements without a phone, a microSD card (up to 32GB) can be purchased separately.

Take note that you'll need to provide your own mono-pod or tripod as well as a cell-phone type holder for securing the RTK Surveyor. The L1/L2 antenna has a 5/8" thread which will fit most surveying platforms. The kit includes a 5/8" to 1/4" adapter as well which will fit most camera mono-pods and tripods. You may need additional adapters for your specific equipment.

The SparkFun RTK Surveyor is not designed for permanent outdoor mounting. The L1/L2 antenna, however, is durable and can be mounted outside with a SMA cable running to the RTK Surveyor that is located inside or protected from the elements.

The kit includes the RTK Surveyor, RTK Kit Carrying Case, GNSS L1/L2 Multi-Band Antenna - TOP106, Antenna Interface Cable - SMA to TNC (300mm), 1/4" to 5/8" Antenna Thread Adapter, USB Wall Charger - 5V, 2A, USB A to C Cable - 0.8m, Data Cable, and Radio Cable. Optional items not included in the kit are Camera Mono-pole or Tri-pod, Phone/Enclosure Holder, Telemetry Radios - 500mW, and microSD Card - 16GB.

The RTK Surveyor boasts features such as concurrent reception of GPS, GLONASS, Galileo and BeiDou, reception of both L1C/A and L2C bands, and a max navigation rate of 25Hz for PVT, 20Hz for RTK and 25Hz for Raw. The Bluetooth® Transceiver: ESP32 WROOM, has an Xtensa® dual-core 32-bit LX6 microprocessor, up to 240MHz clock frequency, 16MB of flash storage, and 520kB internal SRAM. The device has an internal battery of LiPo 1000mAh with 500mA charging, weighs 162g, and has dimensions of 132mm x 101mm x 32mm.

The GNSS Multi-Band L1/L2 Surveying Antenna included in the kit has a gain of ≥5dBi, LNA Gain of 40dB, reception frequencies of L1: 1555 to 1615MHz and L2: 1198 to 1278MHz, 50 Ohm Antenna Impedance, is waterproof IP67, and has a connector of Female TNC.