![](https://www.john.geek.nz/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/2019-11-09-18.04.51.jpg)
I’ve been running an RTK GPS Base station and feeding the data to rtk2go.com since early 2018. I was initially using a UBlox Neo-M8T which only worked on L1 frequencies, but earlier this year I upgraded it to a UBlox ZED-F9P receiver which receives L1 and L2 frequencies which allows for far quicker and more accurate RTK fixes.
My base station was on the roof of my house. It has a clear view of the sky, but the roof is getting old and we plan to replace the roof within a year. I decided it was time to move the base station to a new location.
I decided the best location was a corner of a permanently located shipping container we use for storage. It’s solid, and unlikely to move any time soon.
![](https://www.john.geek.nz/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/2019-11-09-15.32.04-300x138.jpg)
The location was a little bit rusty, but it was easily fixed up with a wire brush, rust killer, cold galvanise paint and a top coat of matching paint.
![](https://www.john.geek.nz/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/2019-11-09-15.49.47-138x300.jpg)
Most Survey/RTK GPS antennas have an imperial 5/8 UNC thread. After a little bit of investigation, I was able to find suitable stainless steel bolts, nuts and washers at a specialist engineering shop.
I used two pieces of steel angle to make a custom clamp/bracket and installed it.
![](https://www.john.geek.nz/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/2019-11-09-16.13.04-138x300.jpg)
I needed the antenna connector (TNC female) to line up with the hole when it was screwed in tight. This was achieved using a thin piece of copper (from stripped wire) as a crush washer/spacer. I also used a small amount of loctite to make sure the antenna was firmly attached.
![](https://www.john.geek.nz/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/2019-11-09-18.04.51-138x300.jpg)
I now need to survey this new location by averaging 2-3 days worth of data against other base stations in the area.
![](https://www.john.geek.nz/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/rtknavi_2019-11-10_23-40-12-300x212.png)
![](https://www.john.geek.nz/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/rtkplot_2019-11-10_23-46-27-300x236.png)
I’ll report back once I’ve calculated an accurate position for this base station
Hi John,
Interesting article! I’m down in Christchurch and I’m also keen to make a M8T base station. I can’t justify the cost on a M9F at the moment! Where did you source your M8T chip or board from?
Cheers, David