I’m using Sparkfun’s RTK Express and Facet in an RTK Base+Rover setup using SparkFun’s 915MHz Serial Radios (https://www.sparkfun.com/products/19032) for the RTCM data. I finally got to test everything today and it’s great! ~10mm accuracy according to SWMaps. But just doing some testing around my yard, my accuracy dropped off as I got to the other side of my house from the base, it could just be distance, but I’m wondering if I lost RTCM data. Now, I admit, my house has aluminum siding so it’s definitely not ideal, and 100mw isn’t a lot of power to push around obstacles like that. Short of another, higher powered radio, what all can I do to improve my signal? I’m a Ham Radio operator so I know a fair bit in general, but I’m asking more specifically in regards to this product. One of the easiest ways is to get elevation. But the cable between the base and the radio is pretty short. How long can it get before I risk signal degradation? I was also thinking of a receive preamp for the rover, but I’m not clear on the radio protocol, do both radios need to transmit, or if the receive radio is truly receive only? I’m also open to other ideas, thank you!
Better antennas.
Indeed.aluminum siding so it’s definitely not ideal
A working rule of thumb is that radio transmission range, at frequencies over about 30 MHz, depends critically on clear line of sight, antenna design (with proper impedance matching) and transmission power.
At 915 MHz, good antenna, 100 mW, clear line of sight, expect > 10 km. Posted example at https://www.calvert.ch/maurice/2017/08/ … valuation/