Behind every perfectly straight row of crops, every flawless lawn cut, and every highly efficient autonomous operation, there is an invisible, yet indispensable, piece of technology: the RTK base station. It takes your machinery—whether a giant tractor or a nimble robotic mower—from "close enough" to "exactly right." If you rely on precision for your livelihood, you already know that guessing where you are costs time, money, and yield.

But what exactly is this powerful piece of hardware, and how do you choose the right one for your unique operation? We're diving deep into the technology and breaking down FJD's three industry-leading options: the N10 CORS System, N20 Fixed High Power GNSS Station, and V1 Base Station.

Why Your Machinery Needs a Base Station?

Simply put, an RTK base station is a fixed, known point of reference. It’s installed in a precisely determined location and constantly communicates with satellites, providing corrections that transform standard GNSS into centimeter-level accuracy. 

Imagine trying to navigate a ship across the ocean without fixed reference points—you'd drift constantly. The principle is the same on land. Standard GPS/GNSS signals are great, but atmospheric interference and orbital errors mean they often have an accuracy error measured in meters. That's a huge problem when you're planting expensive seeds or applying fertilizer.

What Is RTK and Why Does It Matter?

RTK, or Real-Time Kinematic, is the crucial technology that transforms standard, meter-level location data into hyper-accurate, centimeter-level positioning. This happens through a three-step process involving the base station:

• Receive: The base station receives the same raw satellite signals (from GNSS systems like GPS, GLONASS, and BeiDou) as your field machinery. 
• Compare: Because the base station knows its exact, fixed location, it instantly compares the satellite data to its true position. This allows it to calculate the precise error or correction needed for that moment in time.
• Correct: The tractor's autosteering system or robotic mower receives the correction data from the base station to improve positioning precision.

The practical impact of RTK is massive, fundamentally changing how farming and large-scale lawn management operate. By delivering centimeter-level accuracy, RTK ensures that every pass your machinery makes is consistent and perfectly straight, effectively eliminating costly overlaps and preventing missed areas entirely.

The Crucial Decision: Matching the Base Station to Your Environment

For Good Network Coverage, Pick N10

The N10 is a CORS (Continuously Operating Reference Station) solution. This means it uses NTRIP (Networked Transport of RTCM via Internet Protocol) to broadcast corrections, allowing you to build and share a personal or cooperative RTK network.

Built for the connected world, the N10 leverages your existing internet infrastructure to deliver broad, flexible coverage. It is best for operators in areas with good, reliable internet coverage who need to manage multiple vehicles.

It provides a huge coverage area—up to 60 km in diameter—with ultra-reliable ±2.5cm accuracy. If you have small spots with no 4G signal in the coverage, the N10 can easily switch to radio transmission to ensure continuous, uninterrupted RTK correction across the entire property. You can use it as the smart, connected hub for large-scale operations and modern farming cooperatives.

For Remote Network Areas, Pick N20

When the internet is unreliable or non-existent, the N20 steps in to deliver stable power and precision without compromise. It uses powerful radio transmission to send correction signals across its 60 km diameter coverage, maintaining consistency even in hilly or isolated regions where the signal would typically drop.

It supports five major satellite constellations (GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, Galileo, and QZSS), ensuring broad compatibility with different brands and devices already in your fleet. If parts of your territory have internet access, the N20 can also broadcast corrections via NTRIP, giving you the flexibility to integrate connected and unconnected machines seamlessly.

The N20 is the rugged, reliable backbone for consistent precision, no matter how isolated your location is. It is best for large-scale farms, contractors, or remote properties located in weak or non-existent network areas.

For Mobile or Small-Scale Operation, Pick V1

Not all work is fixed. For tasks that require fast setup, mobility, and temporary accuracy, the V1 is your perfect partner. The V1 is compact, portable, and purely radio-based, meaning it requires absolutely no network connection. You can set it up and achieve centimeter-level accuracy within minutes.

The V1 offers a stable working range of 8–12 km under optimal radio conditions. Its lightweight design allows you to quickly pack it up and move between different sites in a single day, maintaining professional-grade accuracy wherever you work.

It is the grab-and-go precision tool that goes anywhere your truck can. This makes it best for small-scale farms, demonstration plots, mobile service providers (like professional lawn care), or short-term projects.

Making Your Strategic Choice

Precision starts with the signal you choose. By selecting the right FJD base station—the N10, N20, or V1—you ensure your equipment works smarter, not harder.

Ready to stop guessing and start achieving true centimeter-level accuracy? Contact FJDynamics to explore the full specifications for the N10, N20, and V1 and find the perfect match for your needs: Contact FJDynamics