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Setting up DirtMate RTK

RTK technology dramatically improves GPS precision by using a stationary base receiver to send real-time correction data to a moving rover receiver. This process cancels out most standard GPS errors, providing the high-precision location data essential for accurate machine tracking, volume calculations, and progress monitoring.

This guide provides step-by-step instructions for setting up the RTK correction stream between your DirtMate units.

For RTK, a connection to stream correction data is required between the base and rover DirtMate receivers. This can either be done over the internet via Propeller’s servers or directly between the units over the local HaLow radio.

Before you start:

  1. Ensure both the base and rover DirtMates are running firmware version 1.8.3 or higher. 
    If you encounter any issues, please contact our Hardware Support team for assistance.
  2. Ensure the base and rover are both outdoors with an unobstructed view of the sky and are placed away from radio antennas and other potential interference sources.
  3. The base and rover should be within 10 km of each other for best RTK performance.
ℹ️ Note: RTK corrections are only available on DirtMate 2s. Ensure you are running DirtMate 2s for both your rover and base.

Method 1: RTK corrections over the internet via Propeller

Use this method when both the base and rover have a stable internet connection via LTE or WiFi. This is the preferred method as there is no need for the two units to be in radio range of each other.

Configure the base to push corrections to Propeller

  1. Navigate to the DirtMate management section of the Propeller app or web portal.
  2. Select the base DirtMate from the list, then choose the Settings tab.
  3. Click Edit.
  4. Tick the Publish correction stream to DirtMates via Propeller option in the RTK Corrections section.
  5. Click SAVE.
  6. The DirtMate will automatically refresh its settings. The DirtMate’s GNSS status LED (top right) will blink green to indicate it is publishing correction data; this typically takes 10 to 30 seconds.
DirtMate RTK Publish Correction Stream.png

Configure the rover to pull corrections from Propeller

  1. Navigate to the DirtMate management section of the Propeller app or web portal.
  2. Select the rover DirtMate from the list and select the Settings tab.
  3. Click Edit.
  4. Set the Correction stream option to Closest base DirtMate in the RTK Corrections section. When the DirtMate first starts, it will automatically select the closest base DirtMate in the same portal that is currently online—alternatively, a specific base DirtMate can be selected here.
  5. Click SAVE.
  6. The DirtMate will automatically refresh its settings and connect to correction stream.
  7. Within a few seconds, the GNSS status LED will turn magenta to indicate an RTK float solution
  8. Once enough GNSS data has been captured, the LED will turn blue to indicate an RTK fix solution. This typically happens within 30 seconds but may take up to 3 minutes when the rover has first been turned on.
DirtMate RTK Closest Base DirtMate.png

Method 2: RTK corrections over local HaLow radio

Use this method when a stable internet connection is not available. The base and rover DirtMates must be in sight of each other and less than 1000m apart.

Configure the base to broadcast corrections via HaLow

  1. Navigate to the DirtMate management section of the Propeller app or web portal.
  2. Select the base DirtMate from the list and select the Settings tab.
  3. Click Edit.
  4. Tick the Broadcast internet connection as DirtMate Access Point option in the Access point section.
  5. Tick on the HaLow broadcasting frequency - this has a longer range than regular WiFi.
  6. Tick on the Publish correction stream to DirtMates via local network option in the RTK Corrections section.
  7. Click SAVE.
  8. The DirtMate will automatically refresh its settings.
  9. The DirtMate’s WiFi status LED (bottom left) will turn magenta to indicate it is broadcasting an access point.
  10. The GNSS status LED (top right) will blink green once a rover DirtMate is connected and receiving correction data.
DirtMate RTK Broadcast Corrections with HaLow.png

Configure the rover to connect to the base DirtMate

  1. Navigate to the DirtMate management section of the Propeller app or web portal.
  2. Select the rover DirtMate from the list and select the Settings tab.
  3. Click Edit.
  4. Tick on the Subscribe to NTRIP stream from DirtMate base via local network option in the RTK corrections section.
  5. Click SAVE.
  6. The DirtMate will automatically refresh its settings.
  7. The rover DirtMate will automatically connect to the base’s HaLow access point, which is indicated by a blue WiFi status LED (bottom left).
  8. The rover DirtMate will automatically connect to the base’s correction stream.
  9. Within a few seconds, the GNSS status LED will turn magenta to indicate an RTK float solution.
  10. Once enough GNSS data has been captured, the LED will turn blue to indicate an RTK fix solution. This typically happens within 30 seconds but may take up to 3 minutes when the rover has first been turned on.
DIrtMate RTK Subscribe to NTRIP.png

Method 3: RTK corrections over internet via third party NTRIP caster

Methods 1 & 2 using a DirtMate base are the recommended and supported workflows. However, it is possible to configure DirtMates to stream corrections to and from a standard NTRIP caster service (e.g., Emlid caster / Trimble IBSS) or a virtual reference station service (e.g., Trimble VRSNow).

Configure the base to broadcast corrections to an NTRIP caster

(Only required if using a DirtMate base to push corrections up to an NTRIP caster, if using a third party base or reference network, no DirtMate base is required).
 
  • Navigate to the DirtMate management section of the Propeller app or web portal.
  • Select the base DirtMate from the list and select the Settings tab.
  • Click Edit.
  • Tick on the Publish correction stream to NTRIP caster option in the RTK Corrections section.
  • Select an existing NTRIP mountpoint or enter the connection details:
    • Host: NTRIP caster address
    • Port: Caster port, usually 2101
    • Mountpoint: NTRIP mountpoint specific to this base
    • User Name / Password if required
    • Coordinate Reference System: This is the coordinate system to publish base coordinates to the stream in
    • Nickname: An optional label for this connection
  • Click TEST CONNECTION to verify the connection details are correct
  • Click SAVE.
  • The DirtMate will automatically refresh its settings. The DirtMate’s GNSS status LED (top right) will blink green to indicate it is publishing correction data, this typically takes 10 to 30 seconds.
Screenshot 2025-08-04 at 3.50.14 PM.png

Configure the rover to pull corrections from an NTRIP caster

  • Navigate to the DirtMate management section of the Propeller app or web portal.
  • Select the rover DirtMate from the list and select the Settings tab.
  • Click Edit.
  • Set the Correction stream option to NTRIP caster in the RTK Corrections section.
  • Select an existing NTRIP mountpoint or enter the connection details:
    • Host: NTRIP caster address
    • Port: Caster port, usually 2101
    • Mountpoint: NTRIP mountpoint specific to this base
    • User Name / Password if required
    • Coordinate Reference System: This is the coordinate system of the base coordinates in the NTRIP correction stream
    • Nickname: An optional label for this connection
  • Click TEST CONNECTION to verify the connection details are correct.
  • Click SAVE.
  • The DirtMate will automatically refresh its settings and connect to correction stream.
  • Within a few seconds, the GNSS status LED will turn magenta to indicate an RTK float solution.
  • Once enough GNSS data has been captured the LED will turn blue to indicate an RTK fix solution. This typically happens within 30 seconds but may take up to 3 minutes when the rover has first been turned on.
DirtMate RTK Pull Corrections From NTRIP Caster.png

Notes

  1. A base can be used to publish to Propeller and the local radio network at the same time.
  2. A rover can be configured to connect both via the internet and the local radio. In this case the local corrections via HaLow will be used if available and fall back to the internet connection stream if not.

FAQs

Is RTK used for machine trails / load counts / cycles?

Yes, RTK improves the accuracy of the position stream sent to the Propeller app used for these features.

Is RTK used by the mobile app?

Yes, the DirtMate sends its RTK position over Bluetooth to the app if available, otherwise falls back to regular GPS accuracy.

Is RTK used for surfaces?

No, currently surfaces are still generated by post processing the GPS data uploaded by DirtMates.

What is the expected accuracy?

With a good sky view and a base within 20km RTK should produce coordinates with horizontal and vertical accuracy better than 30mm. This is the stated accuracy of the GPS module used in DirtMate and we are still testing to verify this (as of 2025-04-23).

How much data do RTK corrections use?

The RTK corrections stream uses approximately 500 bytes / second (40MB / day) to send or receive.
 

I still can't do it!

We wrote these articles to equip you with everything you need to get the job done on your own, but we understand that sometimes this isn't sufficient.

If you're stuck, the Propeller Site Support team may be able to help. You can contact our support team by emailing sitesupport@propelleraero.com.au.

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