RTK Survey on a Budget — How to Build Your Own System Under $1000
RTK surveying doesn’t have to be expensive. Thanks to open-source hardware and affordable GNSS chips, it’s now possible to build a functional base-rover RTK system for under $1000.
In this article, we’ll show you how to assemble a budget-friendly RTK setup, ideal for beginners, students, agriculture, or land mapping in developing regions.
📦 What You’ll Need
🔧 Option 1: Emlid Reach RS+ (Single-band)
- 2x Emlid Reach RS+ — One base, one rover ($599 each)
- Tripods, poles, power banks
- Smartphone with ReachView app
🔧 Option 2: u-blox F9P Modules + Android
- 2x u-blox ZED-F9P modules (~$150 each via ArduSimple or SparkFun)
- LoRa or Bluetooth modules
- Survey poles + phone mount
- Android device with SW Maps or RTKlib
This DIY route gives you full control — and can cost as little as $400–$600 total.
📶 How to Connect & Start Surveying
- Set up one GNSS receiver as your base
- Broadcast corrections via Bluetooth, LoRa, or Wi-Fi hotspot
- Configure your Android phone to receive NTRIP/RTCM corrections using SW Maps or RTKlib
- Start collecting data — enjoy sub-meter to centimeter accuracy
Tip: Use free online base services (like RTK2Go) to stream corrections via NTRIP if you’re working with mobile internet.
📊 Budget Breakdown
| Item | Estimated Price (USD) |
|---|---|
| 2x u-blox F9P Modules | $300 |
| LoRa Modules or Bluetooth | $50 |
| Survey Poles + Tripod | $100 |
| Power Banks / Batteries | $50 |
| Android Smartphone (existing) | — |
| Total | $500 |
🎯 What You Can Do With This Setup
- 🚜 Farm & field mapping
- 🌾 Precision agriculture
- 🌍 Topographic surveys for small areas
- 🎓 Academic GNSS learning projects
It may not rival $10K professional kits, but with careful configuration, you can consistently get sub-meter to 5 cm RTK accuracy.
📷 Bonus: Diagram for Budget RTK Setup
(Add image showing: Base receiver → NTRIP/LoRa → Android phone → SW Maps)
🔧 Tips for Success
- 🔋 Use quality power sources — don’t let your RTK cut out mid-job
- 📐 Use fixed survey poles and secure mounts for repeatable results
- 🌐 Test your correction signal range before heading to remote sites
🙋 Need Help Building Your RTK System?
We can help you select the best affordable GNSS modules, antennas, and software for your needs. Whether you’re surveying land or building a research project — we’ve got your back.
Next article: Understanding GNSS Firmware & Licenses — What You’re Really Paying For