| Component | Detail |
|---|---|
| Receiver | Emlid Reach RS3 (multi-band RTK, tilt compensation, LoRa radio) |
| Serial | 8243579DFF625F56 |
| Firmware | 32.2 (current as of April 2026) |
| Pole | Survey pole with bubble level |
| Field device | iPhone running Emlid Flow + iOS Shortcuts |
| Voice capture | Apple Watch running Just Press Record (JPR) — auto-syncs via iCloud |
| Corrections | ODOT VRS via NTRIP over cellular/Starlink |
| Antenna height | 6.345 ft (configured in Flow) |
RS3 capabilities:
- Built-in GNSS antenna (no separate antenna needed)
- Tilt compensation — capture while leaning, no need to perfectly plumb the pole
- LoRa radio for base/rover work without internet (future option)
- Full RTK rover and base capabilities
- Not MFi-certified — only Emlid Flow can use it as position source on iOS. Third-party apps (ArcGIS Field Maps, SW Maps, etc.) cannot connect directly.
Provider: Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) Virtual Reference Station network — free centimeter-level corrections across Ohio.
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| Account login | BeeDifferent1 |
| Login URL | ortn.dot.state.oh.us/TrimblePivotWeb/Login.aspx |
| Mount point | ODOT_G_R_E_C_RTX_RTCM3 (GPS+GLONASS+Galileo+BeiDou, RTCM3 format) |
| Coordinate system | Global CS (WGS84) |
| Typical satellites | 25-43 (multi-constellation) |
| Typical baseline | 4-46 m (virtual base, auto-generated near your position) |
Setting up NTRIP in Emlid Flow:
- Open Emlid Flow → Correction input
- Select NTRIP as source
- Enter ODOT server address, port, and credentials
- Select mount point
ODOT_G_R_E_C_RTX_RTCM3 - Toggle Position to provider ON — this sends your approximate position to ODOT so it creates a virtual base station near you
- Wait for FIX status in the top bar (usually 10-30 seconds with clear sky)
Project: Brownsville-Property-Master — single ongoing project for all property captures.
Key settings in Flow:
| Setting | Location | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Coordinate system | Project settings | Global CS (WGS84 / EPSG:4326) |
| Antenna height | Survey settings | 6.345 ft |
| Tilt compensation | Survey settings | Optional (enable per-session) |
| Auto-collect | Survey settings | Manual (tap + to collect each point) |
| Point naming | Automatic | Auto-incremented numbers (1, 2, 3…) |
One project vs. daily projects: Use one master project (Brownsville-Property-Master) rather than creating a new project each day. Emlid Flow timestamps each point, and the processing pipeline groups by session using 10-minute gaps. Starting a new project per day adds export overhead for no benefit.
The RS3 supports tilt compensation, which lets you capture a point at the base of the pole even when the pole is leaning. Useful for getting close to obstacles (trees, fences, raised bed corners).
To use tilt compensation:
- In Emlid Flow → Survey → Settings → enable Tilt compensation
- Calibrate before each session (motion-based calibration takes ~10 seconds)
- Lean the pole as needed; the receiver corrects for the lean
For initial sessions or simple captures, tilt compensation is not required — just hold the pole vertical using the bubble level. Add it once the basic workflow is comfortable.
Two Shortcuts on the iPhone Home Screen handle session bookkeeping:
Start GIS Session:
- Opens Emlid Flow
- (Planned: auto-launch JPR on Apple Watch)
End GIS Session:
- (Planned: stop JPR recording on Apple Watch)
Status: Shortcuts need updating to integrate with Just Press Record instead of Voice Memos. Currently, JPR is started/stopped manually via the Watch complication.