Getting started with DirtMate RTK Mobile

Before you start

• Ensure the mobile device you plan to use meets the minimum requirements

• Your DirtMate will need an internet connection in order to get RTK corrections. LTE and Wi-Fi are both supported. Reference the How to change mobile network settings article if using 4G LTE, or the Configuring a custom Wi-Fi network article if using a mobile hotspot.

  💡 Tip: DirtMates will automatically connect to a WIFI network that has an SSID/name "propeller" and password “propeller”.

    

• Have you set up a DirtMate base station or third-party correction source? If not, follow the RTK corrections configuration guide.

Set up your DirtMate

Step 1: Mount and power on

1. Mount your DirtMate on a survey pole with a ⅝-11 thread insert.

• Position the LED panel facing toward you so you can easily monitor device status

2. Mount your mobile device onto the survey rod.
3. Power on your DirtMate and allow 45-60 seconds for it to fully boot.

Step 2: Check RTK status

Before connecting, confirm your DirtMate has a valid RTK fix by checking the LED panel.

If the LED remains magenta/pink after waiting:

• Double-check your RTK corrections configuration.
• If using a third-party base station, confirm the correction format is RTCMv3x.

Step 3: Connect via Bluetooth

1. Launch the Propeller Mobile App and select your site

   

2. Tap the satellite icon to open the Bluetooth connection panel. Nearby DirtMate devices will populate automatically.

   

3. Select your DirtMate. Use the 8-character serial number on the side of the device to confirm you're connecting to the right unit.

4. The app will run a series of checks to verify the Bluetooth connection and RTK corrections. If any checks fail, troubleshooting tips will be available. Use the DirtMate Details button for a full status overview.

Step 4: Enter antenna height

If all checks pass, tap Complete and you will then be prompted to enter the pole/antenna height.

• The DirtMate ARP (Antenna Reference Point) is the bottom of the device. The entered height should reflect the dimension of the survey pole you are using.
• Typical survey poles are 2 meters (6.562ft) tall. Use a tape measure if you're unsure of your pole's exact height.
• Height can be entered in meters or decimal feet, regardless of your site's settings.

Confirm your entry and units are correct before tapping Complete.

Changing your height offset

To adjust the height offset during a session:

1. Tap the satellite icon to open the details page.
2. Select Change pole height.

Step 5: Verify your position

Before taking measurements, it is highly recommended to verify that the RTK position is aligned with your site data. This step helps you catch any setup errors early.

Verification options:

• Staking out to a control point or other known position
• Comparing DirtMate RTK to another RTK rover on site
• Comparing your position to existing third-party stakes, checking for consistent stakeout deltas and elevation

If none of the above are available, ask your project surveyor to help verify your RTK position.

Basic navigation

After entering your pole height, you will see a map showing the site, the DirtMate's current location, and the current elevation at the bottom of your survey pole.

• To view current XY coordinates, tap the dropdown arrow next to the elevation display
• Pan: drag with one finger
• Zoom and rotate: pinch with two fingers

Follow Me functions

The crosshair icon on the right-side toolbar has three modes:

Recenter: Tap once when panning or zooming to snap the map back to your DirtMate's position.

Follow: When the position is centered on the map, a navigation arrow will appear. This mode continuously track your DirtMate as it moves.

Rotate with orientation: Tap again to rotate the map to match your current heading as you move on site.

Map icons

The functions of each additional icon displayed in the graphic below.

Vehicle mode

You can switch to vehicle mode during an active RTK session for a larger, easier-to-read interface while driving.

To switch:

1. Tap the satellite icon.
2. Select Swap mode.

Vehicle height

When switching to vehicle mode, you will be prompted to enter the vehicle height - the distance from the bottom of the DirtMate to the ground. This will differ from your survey pole height.

Both height entries will be saved as you swap between the two modes. 

Vehicle mode provides larger text and dynamic cut/fill visuals when a target is selected. Additionally, various views are available that show your position relative to a design surface or manually entered elevation. 

Press and hold the crosshair icon to switch it to a vehicle icon.

Disconnecting from the DirtMate

To end your RTK session or return to the Propeller Mobile App:

1. Tap the satellite icon to open the details page
2. Select “Disconnect” at the bottom of the page

Still need a hand?

These articles are written to get you where you need to go, but if you can't find what you're looking for, our support team is here to help. Reach out anytime via the question mark in the bottom left of your portal.

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