Centimetre accuracy where the free signal doesn't reach
Repeatable lines year after year, for planting, spraying and controlled traffic. We're building local RTK base stations for the Southern Drakensberg and offering satellite RTK for everywhere else.
Three ways to get RTK
Pick the option that suits your farm's signal and your equipment. We help you set it up either way.
The local base-station network is at pilot stage, starting in the Himeville/Underberg area. Register your interest and we'll let you know when your area is covered.
Sthal local RTK (4G)
Corrections from our own base stations, delivered over your mobile data connection (NTRIP). Built for the valleys where free reference stations are too far away.
- Pilot base: Himeville/Underberg
- Later phases planned: Bulwer/Donnybrook, Swartberg/Franklin, Kokstad, Matatiele, Impendle
- Multi-constellation base (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou)
- Standard RTCM 3 formats
Satellite RTK
Corrections delivered by satellite, for farms without reliable cell signal or outside base-station range. No base station and no mobile data needed.
- Works where 4G doesn't
- Annual subscription
- Set-up and support from Sthal
UHF radio corrections
Radio-delivered corrections for fields with poor 4G, using licensed UHF channels. Available once ICASA licensing is in place.
- For dead spots under the escarpment
- Licensing in progress
- Repeater sites planned where needed
Why a local base?
RTK needs a base station within about 30 to 40 km. The nearest free national reference stations are roughly 70 to 90 km from Himeville and Underberg, so the signal is unreliable or simply unavailable in the basin.
- Repeatable lines for planting, spraying and controlled-traffic farming.
- Less overlap and fewer skips on inputs.
- Local support: phone someone who knows your valley.
- Clear, published base coordinates so your saved AB lines stay where they should.
Will it work with my receiver?
Your autosteer system
Most RTK-capable receivers can take NTRIP corrections. Tell us what you run and we'll help you connect it to Sthal RTK.
Other brands
John Deere and Trimble compatibility is being tested. Tell us your receiver model and we'll confirm.
Already on a free service?
We offer set-up and support plans for farmers using free correction services.
RTK questions
What does an RTK subscription cost?
Pricing for the pilot is still being finalised. Request a quote and we'll send current pricing, including any founding-farmer offer.
Do I need mobile signal?
Local RTK runs over 4G. Where there's no reliable signal, satellite RTK or UHF radio corrections (once licensed) are the alternatives.
How accurate is RTK?
RTK typically gives repeatable accuracy of a few centimetres within range of a base station. We'll confirm what you can expect at your farm once we've tested the signal there.
Want RTK on your farm?
Tell us where your farm is and which receiver or screen you run. We'll let you know which option fits and when it'll be available.