New to PPK and on a deadline

[andrew.belov]

Hi Joe,

I’m glad to help and answer your questions down below

@pjengineering

I’ll use my RS2 as a base with an average time of about 5minutes. I have used this same average position everytime I’ve marked out my GCPs. Will the relatively low accuracy on my base matter?

I see that you’re going to measure volumes in the open pit: Adding Emlid UAV kit or Topodrone to P4PV2

The relative accuracy is enough for volume measurement. The accuracy on the base matters when you need absolute accuracy.

@pjengineering

I’ll be logging GPS, GLONASS, and QZSS. Why can’t I log BEIDOU etc too? Are they L2?

On Reach M+, you can’t choose both GLONASS and BeiDou systems for tracking at the same time.

However, you can switch GLONASS to BeiDou. As you are located in Australia, BeiDou should be more effective than GLONASS in your region.

@pjengineering

The instructions say to have an update rate of 5hz, Emlid say 1hz. Is this simply a matter of space? to store the files? Wouldn’t higher be better?

For the drone flight, it is better to have 5 Hz or 10 Hz, depending on the speed. With the higher rate, you will have a more accurate track.

1 Hz rate is recommended for Base as it is static.

@pjengineering

I’ve been repeatedly asked for the height of the antenna on the base, but since its averaged, why would it need to ask for that seperately. In my situation, the base is on top of a small tower and it wouldn’t be easy to get a physical height plus the tower is on its own mound, so where do I take a height from?

When you’re averaging the base’s position, there is no need to enter the antenna height.

Actually, the ReachView 3 app doesn’t allow you to enter the antenna height when you do the averaging. Can you share the screenshot of the window where you’re asked to do that?

@pjengineering

Which format is better, the newest RINEX?

Yes, the newest available RINEX format in Reach M+, V3.03, will be the most reliable solution. Unlike RINEX 2.XX, it can store QZSS, Galileo, and BeiDou raw data. It also has a mixed NAV data file which simplifies post-processing.

@pjengineering

I’m just abit nervous, something new with limited time and quite large stakes makes the anxiety spike!

You’ve done the right thing by coming to the forum. Other surveyors and our technical support team can help with your questions and save your time!

@pjengineering

What are the other common mistakes people make on PPK drone flights?

I guess our guide about mapping with RTK modules can be of great help to you. It covers the most tricky moments in PPK mapping. I also recommend updating both units to the latest firmware version, V27.1, as it contains valuable improvements for PPK mapping.

Good Luck with your project!