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How to use RTK kit with OpenGrade for earthworks GPS grading
OpenGrade is a free and open-source GPS grading software for Windows 10. It’s designed to help with elevation and position indication for machinery like dozers, scrapers, or tile plows — similar to AgOpenGPS, but focused on grading operations.
This guide walks you through connecting an ArduSimple RTK receiver to OpenGrade. Whether you’re just visualizing elevation, this will get you started. With this, you can use all features except automatic valve control.
Before starting this tutorial, make sure you have the necessary credentials to connect to an NTRIP service. If you’re unsure about NTRIP services in your area, we’ve prepared a list of NTRIP correction services in your country.
Required hardware:
- simpleRTK2B – Basic Starter Kit (with soldered Headers)
- BT+BLE Bridge (for wireless connection)
- LiPo battery shield (for portable power supply to the RTK kit)
- USB cable
- Windows tablet (e.g. Panasonic Toughpad FZ-G1) with internet access
Required software:
How to connect RTK kit with OpenGrade for precise grading
Install OpenGrade
- Go to the OpenGrade GitHub page and download the latest release.
- Extract the ZIP file and run the OpenGrade.exe file.
- Windows OS may prompt you to confirm if you want to run the software. Grant all permissions.
Configure RTK receiver
- Connect the BT+BLE Bridge and the LiPo Battery Shield to the RTK receiver. The receiver will power on, and the LEDs will start blinking.
- Enable Bluetooth on the tablet and connect the RTK receiver as a Bluetooth device.
- Make sure the Bluetooth port appears in your Device Manager. In our case, the device showed up as COM19.
- Go to ZED-F9P Configuration Files and download configuration file titled ‘Send NMEA messages to communication plugin’.
- Open u-center and connect to your receiver.
- Load the configuration into the receiver using u-center by following the instructions here.
- To permanently store the new configuration, in the menu bar of u-center, go to Receiver–>Action–>Save Config to save your configuration.
- Close u-center.
Connect RTK Receiver to OpenGrade
- Open OpenGrade software.
- Go to Config->Ports.
- Under GPS Port, select your RTK receiver COM port (e.g., COM19). Set the baud rate to 115200. Click Connect and press the green button.
- Now your RTK receiver is connected. You should now be receiving live GPS data from your RTK receiver.
Connect to NTRIP service
- To connect to NTRIP service, press Config->NTRIP.
- Enter your NTRIP credentials: Caster IP or URL, Port (usually 2101), Mount Point, Username and Password. Press NTRIP On. Press OK.
- Wait a minute or two. Once enough satellites are detected and corrections are flowing, you’ll see the fix status change to RTK Fix.
Want to automatically control your blade height?
If you want to automatically control your blade height, you’ll need additional integration. You can find guidance and examples in the OpenGrade GitHub. The AgOpenGPS community is also a great place to look for similar builds.
If you want to follow this tutorial, we have all the products in stock and ready to be shipped:
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Made in EuropeRTK starter kitssimpleRTK2B – Basic Starter Kit
From 199,00€ This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
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