To get the most out of your potatoes, it is important to correct your GPS signal. The easiest and most accurate way to do this is with MoveRTK, the No. 1 nationwide supplier of GPS RTK corrections. Then you have a reliable signal 24 hours a day, repeatable year after year.
RTK, what is it and how does it work? We put these and six other questions to Jean-Paul Henry, operations manager at MoveRTK.
What is RTK?
"RTK is an abbreviation of 'Real Time Kinematic'. It is a tool for GPS systems that work with signals from satellites that can determine a location to a few meters accurately without corrections. That is not enough for precision farming. can work on your plot with centimeter precision. With RTK corrections we can make that happen."
How does that work?
"MoveRTK has developed a system that can accurately correct the deviation of the satellite measurements. For example, you have to deal with atmospheric influences, deviations in satellite orbits, disturbing objects and places where there is no range, such as nature reserves. We have had a network of base stations for twenty years. throughout the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg receiving the signals every second from all navigation satellites, including European, Chinese and Russian.As more satellites become available, we have been able to make RTK more and more accurate.Our coverage has now been extended to the entire Benelux. "
How can you work with it?
"If you take out a subscription to MoveRTK, you will receive a SIM card from KPN, which offers the best national coverage and which you can use in your GPS equipment. Via mobile internet, an individual tailor-made solution is possible based on where your tractor or equipment is located. By logging in with your name and password you will always receive the optimal corrections of the satellite signals for your location every second. RTK is technically quite complicated, but works very simply for users."
Are there already many farmers using MoveRTK?
"Thousands of arable farmers and contractors use MoveRTK in combination with a GPS system. Our services come there as a small, but vital link on top of our own GPS reception. We are brand independent and do not supply any hardware. Our corrections can be used in all GPS equipment , whereby it must be equipped with a modem for mobile internet, a GPS receiver and antenna, a hydraulic or electronic control of the machine linked to the GPS and a display in the vehicle for status, data entry and software for the application. Some suppliers offer integrated systems for this."
Is RTK only suitable for arable farmers?
"No, civil engineering and construction companies also use it. But in the agricultural sector you also see more and more applications, for example with livestock farmers who grow crops themselves or robotize forage machines in their yard. And the organic sector is also increasingly using You can also use RTK for mechanical weeding and hoeing. When using drones, which provide a different view of a field than from the ground or with a satellite, RTK also has added value because, for example, you can you can use the exact same frame positions in repeat shots as before. The accuracy is addictive!"
What can I expect?
"With the data received you can work more accurately, so that you need less crop protection, fertilizer and fuel and use your soil optimally. Technical innovations such as GPS and RTK can increase the yield and make it more sustainable and reduce labor costs. You can drive straight lines, fixed you can use train paths and work in the dark. In addition, you can register all actions, so that you build up a data file in which you can see what you have done in recent years and use that knowledge to further improve your working method and achieve even better results. in short, you can save costs."
Why should I invest in new techniques now?
"GPS hardware has become cheaper and cheaper, so that it is now also feasible for smaller companies, for example in fruit growing, to purchase it. The turning point is lower and lower. Plowing used to be a craft and there are still plow competitions. With GPS it has become a breeze to do that perfectly.That may take away some of the charm, but on the other hand, young people are often very interested in new techniques.And if we want to remain the second country in the world ranking of agricultural exporting countries, As a small country, we cannot do without innovations. MoveRTK is a small, but vital link in this."
More information can be found at movertk.nl