Where to buy an RTK antenna?

Buy RTK antenna from our website https://rtk-navigation.com - here you'll find reliable solutions for agricultural navigation and surveying at affordable prices. Besides ready-made antennas, we offer separate RTK navigation boards for custom installation in any housing according to your needs.

RTK antennas have become a standard tool for most farmers, surveyors, builders and others. Previously, centimetre-level accuracy was a dream, and now it's the working standard. But choosing the right model isn't straightforward - there are dozens of options on the market with different functionality and prices.

Why you need an RTK antenna

RTK stands for Real Time Kinematic - it's a technology that allows you to obtain coordinates with centimetre accuracy directly at the work site. Instead of travelling to reference points and making ties, you simply set up the base, switch on the rover and work.

Main tasks where RTK is used:

• Topographic surveying of development sites
• Setting out buildings and structures
• Land parcel boundary surveys
• Height control during road construction
• Precision agriculture (for farming enterprises)

Over recent years, RTK equipment prices have dropped significantly. What previously cost as much as a car is now accessible to even small farming operations.

Types of RTK antennas

There are three main types of equipment:

Base station - installed at a known point and transmits corrections for all rovers within a 10-15 km radius. Usually heavy and bulky, but very accurate.

Rover - a mobile antenna that the surveyor carries. Light, compact, with a display and keypad for data entry.

GNSS receiver - can work as both base and rover. A universal option, but usually more expensive.

What to consider when choosing

Accuracy

Most modern RTK antennas provide 1-2 cm accuracy. This is sufficient for 90% of work. If higher accuracy is needed - you'll have to pay extra.

Initialisation time

A good RTK antenna "catches" a solution within 10-30 seconds. Budget models might "think" for several minutes. On large projects this is critical.

Operating range from base

Standard is 10 km. But in practice, signal quality depends on terrain and development. In mountains or cities the range may halve.

Battery life

Working day 8-10 hours. The RTK antenna should work all day without recharging. In winter the battery drains faster.

Leading brands on the market

Leica - Swiss quality, but with corresponding prices. Their antennas rarely break, service works well. Popular models: GS18, GS16.

Trimble - American brand, very common in Ukraine. Many service centres, spare parts available. I recommend R10, R12.

Topcon - Japanese manufacturers make reliable and affordable models. Hiper VR, Hiper HR - time-tested options.

South - Chinese manufacturer rapidly gaining popularity. Prices 30-40% lower, but quality is reaching European standards.

Ukrainian solutions - quality domestic antennas have appeared on the market, such as Nav-Agro RTK and SmiLab-RTK, which provide accuracy up to 2 cm and cost significantly less than imported analogues.

If budget is limited, it's better to buy an RTK antenna new and with warranty from a domestic manufacturer than a no-name from China.

How much it costs

Current prices for RTK equipment (as of 2025):

Ready RTK antennas:

• Nav-Agro RTK (with tablet): 36,400 UAH
• SmiLab-RTK: 36,400 UAH
• Arivon AF100 guidance system: 67,000 UAH

Navigation boards:

• SmiLab-RTK-pcb (board only): 30,000 UAH

The RTK board is an interesting option for those who want to build an antenna for their specific needs. It can be installed in any housing, adding necessary connectors and configuring for specific tasks.

Don't forget additional expenses:

• Software (often sold separately)
• Tripods, poles, batteries
• Staff training
• Annual maintenance

Where best to buy

Official dealers

Pros: manufacturer warranty, technical support, training Cons: higher price, less flexible terms

Specialised shops

Here you can buy an RTK antenna at a competitive price, receive qualified consultation and after-sales support.

Advantages of our shop:

• Nav-Agro RTK and SmiLab-RTK antennas with accuracy up to 2 cm
• Option to buy separate navigation board for custom solutions
• Complete sets with tablets and software
• Support for operation as both rover and base station
• Technical consultation on configuration

Second-hand market

Risky, but you can save 40-50%. The main thing is to check functionality and remaining battery life.

Operating tips

RTK antenna is a complex instrument that requires proper handling:

1. Calibration - do regularly, especially after transport
2. Cleaning - wipe the antenna after work, especially in winter (road salt)
3. Batteries - don't leave discharged, charge after each use
4. Software - install updates, they often improve accuracy

Common failures:

• Connector corrosion (from moisture)
• Battery failure (after 2-3 years)
• Mechanical damage from drops
• Software glitches after failed updates

Market trends

RTK technologies are developing rapidly. Main directions:

Miniaturisation - new antennas are becoming more compact and lighter. Models the size of smartphones have appeared.

Cloud corrections - instead of your own base, you can use a network of reference stations via the internet. Convenient, but requires stable 4G.

Artificial intelligence - automatic measurement quality control, detection of gross errors.

Integration with drones - RTK modules are installed on UAVs for high-precision aerial photography.

Prices are gradually decreasing, especially for Chinese brands. In a few years, RTK antennas will become as common as electronic total stations are today.

Summary

You should buy an RTK antenna when the volume of work justifies the investment. For small or medium-sized operations, it's better to choose a practically proven domestic option that's much cheaper than imported analogues. Large companies can afford new kits from top brands.

The RTK equipment market in Ukraine is developing rapidly. New brands are emerging, prices are falling, service is improving. This is a good time to modernise equipment.