# Question about LG290P RTK Breakout Base Station Build **URL:** \ **Category:** GPS/GNSS\ **Created:** [May 6, 2026, 10:10am UTC](https://community.sparkfun.com/t/question-about-lg290p-rtk-breakout-base-station-build/68706 "2026-05-06T10:10:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![JohnEH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8e8cbc/32.png) [@JohnEH](https://community.sparkfun.com/u/JohnEH)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2026, 10:10am UTC](https://community.sparkfun.com/t/question-about-lg290p-rtk-breakout-base-station-build/68706/1 "2026-05-06T10:10:06Z")
I have the LG290P Breakout board which I’m messing with and just ordered the RTK Postcard with the LG290P. I think I have a grip on making the Postcard a rover based on an excellent Sparkfun video. That leaves me needing to make the Breakout Board the Base Station. Sorry for the rookie questions. For the base station mode can I just hook the RTK Breakout board to say a Windows laptop and cast NTRIP? I have a shed in the back yard that has a Win 11 laptop that is always on. Is that enough to make the base station and of course set up a permanent antenna? Then everything can be done from QGNSS? Is that correct? Or do I need to get a BlueSmirf and solder it to the board (or similar)? Again, sorry for the rookie questions but I’m somewhat new to this RTK thing. Been hooking up GPS modules to Raspberry Pi’s and/or u-center for years but never delved into RTK and base/rover setups. ---
**Author:** ![JohnEH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8e8cbc/32.png) [@JohnEH](https://community.sparkfun.com/u/JohnEH)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2026, 10:20am UTC](https://community.sparkfun.com/t/question-about-lg290p-rtk-breakout-base-station-build/68706/2 "2026-05-06T10:20:38Z")
Additional info: Also saw some discussions on using PyGPSClient instead of QGNSS for greater reliability. I have enough Raspberry Pi devices around here to last until the apocalypse so using a Pi in lieu of a laptop is no problem. ---
**Author:** ![PaulZC](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/sparkfun/user_avatar/community.sparkfun.com/paulzc/32/67_2.png) [@PaulZC](https://community.sparkfun.com/u/PaulZC)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2026, 11:17am UTC](https://community.sparkfun.com/t/question-about-lg290p-rtk-breakout-base-station-build/68706/3 "2026-05-06T11:17:26Z")
Hi John (@JohnEH ), I am sure other folks will chip in here later today. But, to get you started: Yes, you can use QGNSS or PyGPSClient to fully configure the LG290P. Personally, I like PyGPSClient because that makes it easy to build up scripts of commands to configure the GNSS. Also, it runs well on RPi… You are going to need to get to know the [Protocol Specification](https://docs.sparkfun.com/SparkFun_LG290P_Quadband_GNSS_RTK_Breakout/assets/component_documentation/quectel_lg290p03lgx80p03_gnss_protocol_specification_v1-1.pdf). To put the GNSS into Base mode, you need `PQTMCFGRCVRMODE,W,2` ( `$PQTMCFGRCVRMODE,W,2*29\r\n` ). `PQTMCFGSVIN` can be used to set survey-in mode or fixed mode with ECEF coordinates. If you search for PQTMCFGRCVRMODE here, you will find gems like the post linked below. I hope this helps, Paul > [@Sparkfun lg290p Survey-In Setup](https://community.sparkfun.com/t/sparkfun-lg290p-survey-in-setup/64866): > > I am attempting to set up my sparkfun Lg290p breakout board as a locally hosted base station which I then would use to send all of my rovers the RTCM data corrections to get the RTK lock for each rover. The problem im running into at the moment is attempting to find the exact location of my base station. I need to be able to utilize the “Survey-In” mode of the quatcel chip so that I can run the survey for a couple hours to get the exact gps location of the antenna for the base station. When attempting to put my board into base station mode, (and then eventually in survey-in mode) I run into the issue where the serial port just starts spitting out gibberish (maybe binary?) immediately after putting the unit in base station mode and then saving and rebooting. I factory reset it with: Sent: $PQTMRESTOREPAR13 Received: $PQTMRESTOREPAR,OK3B Then I wanted to set it to base station mode: Sent: $PQTMCFGRCVRMODE,W,229 Received: $PQTMCFGRCVRMODE,OK64 Then upon save and reboot this is wh… ---
**Author:** ![JohnEH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8e8cbc/32.png) [@JohnEH](https://community.sparkfun.com/u/JohnEH)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2026, 11:53am UTC](https://community.sparkfun.com/t/question-about-lg290p-rtk-breakout-base-station-build/68706/4 "2026-05-06T11:53:23Z")
Thanks Paul. I think I want to go to Survey In mode and get the positioning data. I’ve read a ton online and it seems the u-blox chips take that survey for 24 hours (recommended) but the Quectel chips take a much shorter hunk of time and if I’m not mistaken also you set the accuracy level in the PQTM command. I’ll figure it out. On another note I have run my LG290P board with RTK Fixed and never got any ECEF coordinates in cgps. That would certainly be the easiest way to get started. Today is clear so I’ll set the Pi 5 and board outside today and let it roll for a few hours and check it. ---
**Author:** ![PaulZC](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/sparkfun/user_avatar/community.sparkfun.com/paulzc/32/67_2.png) [@PaulZC](https://community.sparkfun.com/u/PaulZC)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2026, 12:11pm UTC](https://community.sparkfun.com/t/question-about-lg290p-rtk-breakout-base-station-build/68706/5 "2026-05-06T12:11:03Z")
I think you might be getting survey-in mixed up with establishing a fixed base position using a service like CSRS-PPP. CSRS-PPP needs 24 hours of raw data. Survey-in gives you an approximate position in a couple of minutes.