First Post: Setting Up the Log
I’m starting this blog to document an ongoing project: building a low-cost, mostly self-hosted workflow for achieving RTK-level GNSS accuracy (sub-10 cm) without paying for commercial correction services or investing in dual-receiver setups. I do some surveying work on the side, and while precise GNSS is useful, it doesn’t bring in enough money to justify RTK subscription costs long-term. But I’ve got enough tech curiosity (and stubbornness) to see if I can replicate the same level of accuracy with tools I already have—or can acquire for the cost of a few months' subscription.
Where I’m Coming From
I’m not a full-time GNSS engineer or embedded systems wizard. My background is in structural engineering, and I’ve got intermediate Python skills and advanced-beginner GNSS know-how. What I do have is:
✓ A Toknav T20 Pro GNSS receiver and FieldGenius as a logger
✓ A bit of experience with post-processing and open-source tools
✓ Access to known military trig points as benchmarks (but unwilling to visit them constantly)
✓ A temporary RTK subscription that’s still active—but won’t be for long
So this is part necessity, part curiosity, and part mental challenge. If I can replace a €300–500/year subscription with a €100–200 one-time setup, that’s a win. Even better if I learn a bunch along the way.
The Three Workflows I’ll Be Testing
1. Post-Processed Workflow with Logged Control Points
2. u-blox ZED-F9P Based DIY RTK with Solar Power
3. The “Far Out” Experiment: Error Modeling Distant CORS Corrections
A Note on Side Quests
Every now and then, I’ll probably drift into tangents like GIS stuff, random data experiments, networking, retro tech, text-based gaming, and AI. These detours provide fresh stimulation that my mind requires. Please bear with me and -- who knows -- you might enjoy the side paths as much as the main road.
What to Expect from This Blog
✓ Practical experiments, both successful and failed
✓
If all this sounds interesting, please follow along. I’ll post real data, results, and lessons learned—no sugar-coating. Let’s see if we can make centimeter-grade accuracy affordable and independent.
// Sample code block #includeint main() { printf("Initializing GNSS receiver...\n"); // TODO: Add actual receiver init code printf("Receiver ready.\n"); return 0; }
Future posts will delve into specific projects, starting with the ongoing work on a low-cost RTK base station.
--- Log Entry Complete ---