Permanent GNSS Base Setup Guide (S980 + SR35) for Reliable Survey & Machine Control
Permanent GNSS Base Setup Guide (S980 + SR35)
A properly configured permanent GNSS base station is the backbone of reliable RTK positioning in surveying, mining, and machine control. Whether you’re running a fixed site base or supporting a fleet of machines, the combination of a Stonex S980 receiver and SR35 external radio provides a robust, long-range solution.
This guide outlines how to design and install a clean, stable, and high-performance base setup—covering antenna placement, power systems, communications, and radio configuration.
Why a Permanent Base Setup Matters
A well-installed base station delivers:
- Consistent RTK corrections across site
- Extended radio range (20–50 km depending on terrain)
- Reduced downtime and maintenance
- Scalability for multiple rovers and machines
Poor setups, on the other hand, lead to signal dropouts, limited range, and unreliable positioning—costing time and money in the field.
1. Antenna Setup (The Most Critical Component)
GNSS Antenna Installation
The GNSS antenna determines positional accuracy and signal quality.
Best practices:
- Install on a fixed pillar or rigid mast (avoid temporary tripods)
- Maintain clear sky visibility (no overhead obstructions)
- Position at least 1.5–2.5 metres above surrounding structures
- Keep away from reflective surfaces to minimise multipath
UHF Antenna for SR35 Radio
Radio performance is primarily driven by antenna height—not just wattage.
Recommended setup:
- Use a high-gain collinear antenna (5–9 dBi)
- Mount as high as possible (rooftop or mast)
- Maintain 1–2 metres separation from GNSS antenna
- Use low-loss coax (LMR400 or better)
Grounding & Lightning Protection
For any permanent installation in Australia—especially mining sites—grounding is essential.
Minimum requirements:
- Inline lightning arrestor on UHF cable
- Proper earth stake grounding system
- Bond all metal components:
- Mast
- Antenna mounts
- Equipment enclosure
This protects your investment and prevents catastrophic failures.
2. Power System Design
Power stability is one of the most overlooked aspects of GNSS base performance.
Mains Power Setup (Preferred)
- Use a regulated DC power supply
- Install a UPS backup system
- Protect against voltage fluctuations
Off-Grid Solar Setup (Common in Mining)
For remote sites, a solar system is the standard solution:
Typical configuration:
- 200–400W solar panels
- 100–200Ah battery bank (lithium preferred)
- MPPT charge controller
- Regulated 12V/24V output
Power Best Practices
- Use correct cable sizing to prevent voltage drop
- Keep power and RF cables separated
- Install inside an IP-rated enclosure
Clean power = stable corrections and fewer system faults.
3. Communications Architecture
A modern GNSS base should never rely on a single communication method.
Primary: UHF Radio (SR35)
- Provides long-range corrections across site
- Ideal for machine control and remote rovers
- Works independently of network coverage
Secondary: Network (4G or Starlink)
Adding network connectivity enables:
- NTRIP correction streaming
- Remote monitoring and troubleshooting
- Backup communication path
This is especially valuable on large or remote Australian sites.
Recommended Hybrid Setup
For maximum reliability:
- UHF (SR35): primary for field operations
- Network (NTRIP): secondary and remote access
This ensures continuity even if one system fails.
4. SR35 Radio Configuration
Correct radio setup is critical for achieving maximum range and stability.
Connection Setup
- Connect S980 via serial (external mode)
- Match baud rate (typically 38400 or 115200)
- Use RTCM3 correction format
Radio Parameters
- Frequency: Licensed UHF channel (Australia regulations apply)
- Channel spacing: Must match rover radios
- FEC (Forward Error Correction): Enabled for noisy environments
- Power output: Adjust to suit coverage—not always maximum
Optimising Data Output
- Use a lean RTCM message set
- Avoid unnecessary messages that overload bandwidth
- Balanced configuration improves range and reliability
5. Physical Installation Layout
A clean install improves longevity and performance.
Inside Enclosure
- Secure mounting for S980 and SR35
- Power distribution system
- Surge protection
Cable Management
- Separate GNSS, radio, and power cables
- Use drip loops on external connections
- Minimise cable bends and joins
6. Expected Performance
With a properly configured setup:
- Typical UHF range:
- 20–30 km (rolling terrain)
- Up to 50 km (flat or elevated sites)
- System reliability:
- Near continuous uptime with correct power and grounding
7. Common Installation Mistakes
Avoid these frequent issues:
- Low antenna placement
- Poor grounding or no lightning protection
- Cheap or incorrect coax cable
- Overloading radio with unnecessary data
- Relying on a single communication method
Conclusion
A permanent GNSS base station is only as good as its installation. By focusing on:
- Antenna height and quality
- Stable and clean power
- Redundant communications
- Proper SR35 configuration
—you can achieve a highly reliable RTK solution suited to demanding environments like mining and large-scale surveying in Australia.
Recommended Stonex Survey Setup for Civil & Mining
High-Performance GNSS & Survey Solutions Without the Tier 1 Price Tag
For civil contractors and mining operations, survey equipment needs to do one thing above all else — perform reliably, every day, in harsh conditions.
Stonex has quickly become a go-to option for businesses wanting:
- High accuracy
- Modern workflows
- Lower upfront costs
- No unnecessary complexity
This guide breaks down the recommended Stonex setups for real-world civil and mining applications, including pricing and what you actually need.
🔹 Entry-Level Civil Setup (From ~$10,000 – $15,000)
Best for: Small contractors, setout, general site work
Recommended Setup:
- Stonex S880 GNSS Receiver (~$6,495)
- Stonex S55 Controller (~$1,450)
- Basic accessories (pole, tripod, batteries)
What It Covers:
- Setout and as-built surveys
- Small subdivisions
- General civil work
Key Benefits:
- Cost-effective entry into GNSS
- Reliable RTK performance
- Simple, easy-to-use workflow
👉 Ideal for operators wanting to bring survey capability in-house without a large investment.
🔹 Professional Civil Setup (From ~$18,000 – $22,000)
Best for: Earthmoving contractors, growing businesses
Recommended Setup:
- Stonex S880 or S980 GNSS Rover (~$6,495 – $6,950)
- S60 or S80 Rugged Controller (5G) (~$1,920 – $1,995)
- Optional Base Station or UHF setup
What It Covers:
- Bulk earthworks
- Accurate setout
- Machine control support
- Medium to large projects
Key Benefits:
- Fast RTK fixes
- Strong multi-constellation tracking
- Reliable performance across most job sites
👉 This is the sweet spot for most civil contractors.
🔹 Full Civil & Mining Setup (From ~$25,000 – $30,000)
Best for: Full site control, multiple crews, remote work
Recommended Setup:
- Stonex S1000 GNSS Base + Rover Kit (~$6,990 base pricing per unit setup reference)
- S80 Rugged Tablet or S60 Controller
- SR35 External Radio (~$2,950)
- Full accessories kit
What It Covers:
- Full site control
- Remote projects (no network required)
- Multiple machine support
- High-accuracy workflows
Key Benefits:
- Complete independence (run your own base)
- Extended RTK range with radio
- Scalable across multiple crews and machines
👉 This setup replaces the need for expensive Tier 1 systems in most environments .
🔹 Total Station Add-On (Optional but Recommended)
When You Need It:
- Working near buildings or obstructions
- High-precision setout
- Structural or detailed work
Recommended Options:
- R60 Android Total Station (~$7,920)
- R120 Robotic Total Station (~$21,600)
- R180 Robotic Total Station (~$31,800)
Benefits:
- One-person operation (robotic models)
- High precision for detailed work
- Complements GNSS perfectly
👉 GNSS handles most work — total stations handle the rest .
🔹 Why Stonex Works for Civil & Mining
1. High Accuracy Without Premium Pricing
Modern Stonex GNSS systems deliver:
- Multi-constellation tracking
- Stable RTK performance
- Reliable accuracy across large sites
2. Built for Harsh Conditions
Designed for:
- Dust
- Heat
- Vibration
- Remote environments
3. No Lock-In Ecosystem
- Use your own base station
- Avoid subscription costs
- Work anywhere
4. Scalable Systems
Start with a rover → add:
- Base station
- Additional rovers
- Machine control integration
5. Modern, Easy-to-Use Workflow
- Android-based controllers
- Fast data handling
- Simple setup and operation
🔹 Example Setup by Industry
Civil Contractors
- S880 or S980 rover
- S60 controller
- Optional base station
Mining Operations
- S1000 base + rover kit
- External radio (SR35)
- Multiple rover units
Survey Teams
- Base + rover
- Robotic total station
- Full software workflow
🔹 Bundle Opportunities (Best Value)
To maximise value, consider bundling:
- GNSS + controller
- Base + rover kits
- Total station + accessories
This:
- Reduces overall cost
- Ensures compatibility
- Simplifies deployment
Final Thoughts
You no longer need to spend $50K–$80K to get high-performance survey equipment.
With the right Stonex setup, you get:
- Professional accuracy
- Reliable performance
- Full control of your workflow
- Lower total cost of ownership
For most civil and mining businesses:
👉 $20K–$30K delivers everything you need
👉 Anything more is often unnecessary
Best Survey Equipment for Civil, Mining & Survey Professionals
Choosing the Right Tools for Accuracy, Productivity & Reliability
Survey equipment plays a critical role in modern civil construction, mining, and infrastructure projects. Whether you’re setting out a subdivision, managing bulk earthworks, or controlling a large-scale mining operation, the right tools directly impact:
- Accuracy
- Productivity
- Safety
- Profitability
The challenge today isn’t access to technology — it’s choosing the right combination of equipment without overspending or overcomplicating your workflow.
1. GNSS (RTK) Systems – The Foundation of Modern Surveying
GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite Systems) are now the core tool across civil and mining projects.
What to Look For:
- Multi-constellation tracking (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou)
- Fast RTK fix times
- Strong performance in difficult environments
- Ability to run base + rover setups
Why It Matters:
GNSS systems allow you to:
- Perform accurate setout
- Complete topographic surveys quickly
- Support machine control operations
- Work across large sites efficiently
Best Use Cases:
- Civil construction sites
- Bulk earthworks
- Mining operations
- Infrastructure projects
👉 A high-quality GNSS setup is the first and most important investment.
2. Base Station vs Network Corrections
This is one of the biggest decisions impacting cost and flexibility.
Network Corrections
- Easy to use
- No setup required
- Ongoing subscription costs
- Limited in remote areas
Base Station Setup
- Full control of corrections
- No ongoing fees
- Reliable in remote locations
- Covers entire site or multiple machines
👉 For civil and mining work, owning your base station is often the smarter long-term option.
3. Survey Controllers & Field Software
The controller is where productivity is won or lost.
Key Features:
- Android-based systems
- High-brightness screens (daylight readable)
- Fast processing and data handling
- Easy integration with design files
Why It Matters:
A good controller:
- Reduces training time
- Speeds up workflows
- Minimises errors
👉 Simplicity and speed are more valuable than overly complex features.
4. Total Stations – When GNSS Isn’t Enough
GNSS handles most work — but total stations are still essential in certain environments.
When You Need One:
- Working near buildings or heavy cover
- High-precision setout (concrete, structures)
- Underground or obstructed sites
Options:
- Manual total stations (entry-level)
- Android total stations (mid-range)
- Robotic total stations (one-person operation)
👉 For many contractors, a mid-range or robotic total station complements GNSS perfectly.
5. Integration with Machine Control
Modern survey equipment should integrate seamlessly with machine control systems.
Benefits:
- Direct transfer of design files
- Reduced double handling of data
- Faster project turnaround
- Improved accuracy between survey and machine execution
👉 Survey + machine control integration is where major productivity gains are realised.
6. Durability for Harsh Environments
Civil and mining environments are tough on equipment.
Look For:
- IP-rated GNSS receivers
- Shock-resistant controllers
- Heat and dust tolerance
- Reliable battery performance
👉 Equipment needs to perform in:
- Dust
- Heat
- Vibration
- Remote conditions
7. Ease of Use & Training
Complex systems slow teams down.
Modern Equipment Should Be:
- Intuitive
- Visual
- Easy to learn
This allows:
- Faster onboarding
- Reduced reliance on highly specialised operators
- More consistent results across teams
8. Cost vs Performance (Where Most Buyers Go Wrong)
Many businesses overspend on premium brands when they don’t need to.
What Actually Matters:
- Accuracy
- Reliability
- Workflow efficiency
- Support
What Often Doesn’t:
- Brand name
- Overly complex features
- Locked ecosystems
👉 The goal is maximum performance for the lowest total cost of ownership.
9. Local Support & Backup
Even the best equipment needs support.
Choose Suppliers That Offer:
- Local technical support
- Fast turnaround times
- Training and onboarding
- Spare parts availability
👉 Downtime is far more expensive than the equipment itself.
10. Scalable Systems for Growth
Your equipment should grow with your business.
Look for:
- Expandable GNSS setups
- Compatibility with machine control
- Ability to add additional rovers or crews
👉 A scalable system avoids having to replace everything as you grow.
Recommended Setup by Industry
Civil Contractors
- GNSS rover + base station
- Rugged controller
- Optional robotic total station
Mining Operations
- High-performance GNSS base + multiple rovers
- Radio communications for coverage
- Integration with machine control systems
Survey Professionals
- GNSS rover + base
- Robotic total station
- Advanced software workflows
Final Thoughts
The best survey equipment isn’t the most expensive — it’s the right combination of tools for your work.
A modern, cost-effective setup should deliver:
- High accuracy
- Fast workflows
- Reliability in tough conditions
- Low ongoing costs
For most civil, mining, and survey businesses, the focus should be on:
performance, flexibility, and total cost of ownership — not brand alone.