For Real Time GPS corrections in the field I have posted below some Midwestern websites that will allow you to sign up for Username and Password to access the base station data Real Time. Corrections for Trimble Mapping GPS hardware in a VRS/RTN environment can obtain Submeter, Sub Foot (Decimeter) and Centimeter accuracy depending on the model of GPS receiver and software you are using.
Trimble and Seiler Instrument support the following Mapping Grade devices on a VRS/RTN:
- Geo 7x (Submeter, Decimeter). Centimeter(TerraSync and TerraFlex Only)
- R2 GNSS Receiver (Submeter, Decimeter). Centimeter(TerraSync and TerraFlex Only)
- R1 GNSS Receiver (Submeter)
- Geo 6000 XT (Submeter)/XH (Decimeter/Centimeter TerraSync Only)
- ProXRT (Decimeter)
- Pro 6T (Submeter)/6H (Decimeter)
- Geo 2008/3000 XT (Submeter)/XH (Decimeter)
What is a Realtime GPS Network and how does it work? (credit to USGS)
For the FREE VRS and RTN’s go to one of the following websites below to sign up for a User Name and Password by filling out the “User Agreement”.
For the paid for VRS networks please contact your sales rep for the Seiler Midwest RTK in Nebraska and for the Trimble VRS NOW (requires login) network in Illinois. See also the links below under the title “FEE based VRS/RTN’s”.
Check with me if you have further questions as not all *VRS and *RTN’s are free: [email protected]
- You will need a data plan package for your cell phone, sim card or MiFI pod. Stick with simple phones bluetooth phone/packages or Droids with WiFI HotSpot and or MiFI’s. The iPphone 4 with the WiFI option will work – no other iPhones will work (only AT&T and T-Mobile Sim cards are supported in the Geo 6000 Series).
- Most cell providers will charge more than your standard data plan that you use for texting and surfing the web on your phone as you are actually “TETHERING” your phone to your GPS unit to then dial into a Base Station Sever Network.
- The major cell providers have been used by our staff and customers such as: Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint and US Cellular. Be sure to check with any cell provider their DATA MAP before starting a project and purchasing a phone, sim card or MiFI. Data coverages are not as widely up and running as are voice coverages by cell providers.
*VRS = Virtual Reference Stations – Trimble base stations.
* RTN = Real Time Network – Leica/Topcon and other GPS base station providers.
Free VRS/RTN’s in Midwestern USA:
Kara Company “ReIL-NET” (Chicago area – 1 free for single base)
- FEE based VRS/RTN’s are:
Kara Company “ReIL-Net” (Chicago area)
Seiler MWRTK/Nebraska Roads DOT VRS
Illinois is a fee based and is run by Trimble called: “VRS NOW”. It can be purchased online per month or per yearly fee through the Trimble Store.
The Trimble VRS NOW network is in other Midwestern states including Iowa and Indiana: VRS NOW MAP
*A General guide and where to find a VRS/RTN in your area that I may not have mentioned in the USA (credit to USGS)
**Public RTK List via GPS World Magazine January 2014
***See our blog: Real-Time Settings in TerraSync for connecting to a VRS/RTN network:
We were thinking about getting hot spot device instead of getting a cell phone with a data package. Will this work for real time correction in the field? Thanks
Alex,
Yes WiFi Hot spot devices can be used with the Trimble Geo 2008/3000, 6000 and 7x series to then dial into a Real-Time base station network.
The WiFi Hot spot device can be used with the following Trimble Mapping software’s in the field to obtain Real-Time base station corrections: TerraSync, GPS Correct for ArcPad, Trimble Positions for ArcPad and Trimble Positions for ArcGIS for WM.
The key is to do some research per the project area so that you know that you will have good “DATA” coverage per the cell “DATA” carrier provider before purchasing the MiFi device. Your “Autonomous GPS” location is being sent to the Real-Time base station server via “DATA” packets.
Look up the cell carrier provider website and see their “DATA” map. If you lose the cell “DATA” coverage during GPS collection then you will want to either A: stop data collection in that file for that area via Real-Time and start a new file or B: continue collection with a mix of corrected and uncorrected data. Then back in the office you will want to run the whole file thru the Differential Correction for consistent results.
Also be sure to have a vehicle charging kit for your MiFi device too.
Thanks,
Jay
I am currently working in Louisiana. Is there a free VRS/RTN system there?
Dan,
Hi, I did find this website while searching Google “Realtime Networks”. http://gpsworld.com/finally-a-list-of-public-rtk-base-stations-in-the-u-s/ It looks like LSU runs a Realtime GPS Network. I am not sure if its free or if a fee is involved: http://c4gnet.lsu.edu/c4g/ Map: http://c4gnet.lsu.edu/c4g/index.php/rtn/static-rtn-map
You could check with NEI who is the Trimble dealer based out of Lafayette, LA to see how well it works: http://www.neigps.com/contact/
Thanks,
Jay