Connect RTK FIX to SOUTH Supreme ME with NTRIP

Introduction #

This guide explains how to connect a SOUTH Supreme ME receiver to RTK FIX correction services using the manufacturer-recommended SurvStar field application.

The NTRIP connection is configured in SurvStar while the application is connected to the Supreme ME. The receiver, field controller and internet connection must all be working before corrections can be received.

SurvStar menu wording can vary between software versions. SOUTH provides an official SurvStar NTRIP tutorial, but the exact English labels for every current SurvStar release could not be verified from the accessible documentation. Where a label may differ, this guide describes the function you need to open instead of guessing an exact label.

View the SOUTH Supreme ME product page →

What you need #

• A powered SOUTH Supreme ME receiver.
• An Android field controller running a SurvStar version that supports the Supreme ME.
• A Bluetooth connection between the controller and the receiver.
• An active internet connection on the controller or receiver, depending on the selected SurvStar data-link method.
• An active RTK correction subscription obtained through RTK FIX.
• Your RTK FIX NTRIP host, port, username, password and mountpoint details.
• A project configured with the correct coordinate system, datum and geoid model.
• A clear view of the sky during initial RTK testing.

RTK FIX gives you access to correction services from multiple providers through one platform. Open the RTK FIX dashboard →

Find your RTK FIX NTRIP credentials #

1. Open the RTK FIX dashboard in a web browser.
2. Sign in to your RTK FIX account.
3. Open your active correction service or subscription.
4. Locate the NTRIP connection details supplied for that service.
5. Keep the host, port, NTRIP username, NTRIP password and mountpoint available while configuring SurvStar.

Open the RTK FIX dashboard →

The NTRIP username and NTRIP password are correction-service credentials. They are not necessarily the same as the email address and password used to sign in to the RTK FIX website.

NTRIP credentials may be case-sensitive. Copy each value exactly and do not add spaces before or after it.

Connect the receiver #

1. Place the Supreme ME outdoors with a clear view of the sky.
2. Install the receiver securely on the survey pole or its intended mounting system.
3. Switch on the Supreme ME and the field controller.
4. Open SurvStar.
5. Open the SurvStar function used to connect or manage GNSS instruments.
6. Select a Bluetooth connection.
7. Select the Supreme ME that matches the receiver serial number.
8. Complete the connection and confirm that SurvStar displays receiver information or live satellite data.

Do not continue to the NTRIP configuration until SurvStar is communicating with the correct receiver.

Open the NTRIP settings #

1. In SurvStar, open the receiver or instrument configuration area.
2. Set the Supreme ME to operate as an RTK rover.
3. Open the rover data-link or correction-source settings.
4. Select the internet, CORS or NTRIP correction method shown in your SurvStar version.
5. Open the NTRIP account or server configuration screen.

SOUTH’s official SurvStar support material describes this workflow as connecting a rover to a CORS service through NTRIP. The position and names of these options may change between SurvStar releases.

Enter the RTK FIX connection details #

Create a new NTRIP configuration and enter the details shown in your RTK FIX dashboard.

Device or app field	What to enter
Name	A recognisable profile name, such as RTK FIX.
Host or IP	The NTRIP host supplied in the RTK FIX dashboard.
Port	The NTRIP port supplied in the RTK FIX dashboard.
Username	Your RTK FIX NTRIP username, not your website login unless the dashboard explicitly shows the same value.
Password	Your RTK FIX NTRIP password.

Do not replace the supplied host or port with values from another guide. These details depend on the selected correction provider and subscription.

If SurvStar includes an NTRIP version option, use the version specified by the correction provider. Do not change it based on an unverified example.

Select the mountpoint #

1. Save or confirm the NTRIP server details.
2. Use the SurvStar function that retrieves or displays the NTRIP source table.
3. Wait for the available mountpoints to appear.
4. Select the exact mountpoint assigned or recommended in the RTK FIX dashboard.
5. Confirm the selection.

Do not choose a mountpoint only because it is geographically nearby or has a familiar name. Different mountpoints can use different reference frames, correction formats or network methods.

A VRS mountpoint commonly requires the rover to send its approximate position to the correction service using NMEA GGA messages. Ensure position reporting is enabled when required by the selected service. An exact GGA interval is not specified here because it could not be verified for the current Supreme ME and SurvStar combination.

Start the NTRIP connection #

1. Confirm that the field controller or receiver has internet access.
2. Return to the rover data-link screen.
3. Start or apply the NTRIP rover configuration.
4. Wait while SurvStar connects to the caster and begins transferring correction data.
5. Check that SurvStar reports an active data link and a recent correction age.

Receiving correction data only confirms that the NTRIP connection is working. It does not confirm that the project coordinate system, datum, geoid model or antenna height is correct.

Need coverage in another region or a different correction-network option? RTK FIX allows you to compare services from multiple providers through one platform. Open the RTK FIX dashboard →

Verify the RTK solution #

After corrections begin, monitor the solution status in SurvStar.

Status	Meaning
Single or Autonomous	The receiver is calculating an uncorrected GNSS position. This is not an RTK-quality solution.
DGPS or DGNSS	The receiver is using differential corrections, but it does not have an RTK carrier-phase solution.
Float	The receiver is using RTK carrier-phase corrections, but the ambiguities have not been resolved. Float must not be treated as centimetre-accurate.
Fixed	The RTK ambiguities have been resolved. Measure only when this status is stable and the reported accuracy is acceptable for the job.

Allow the receiver to work in open sky while it establishes the solution. Buildings, trees, vehicles, machinery and reflective surfaces can reduce satellite visibility or introduce multipath.

Do not promise or assume a fixed solution within a specific time. The result depends on correction coverage, atmospheric conditions, satellite geometry, obstructions, internet performance and the distance to the correction-network infrastructure.

Checks before measuring #

• Confirm that SurvStar shows Fixed, not Float, DGPS or Single.
• Check that the estimated horizontal and vertical accuracy are acceptable for the project.
• Check that the correction age is current and stable.
• Confirm that the correct mountpoint is selected.
• Confirm that the project uses the required coordinate system and projection.
• Confirm that the project datum or reference frame matches the correction service and project requirements.
• Confirm that the correct geoid model or vertical-datum method is applied when orthometric heights are required.
• Enter the correct antenna or pole height and confirm whether SurvStar expects a vertical or slant measurement.
• Check that the pole, mounting system and receiver are secure.
• Maintain suitable sky visibility for GNSS observations.
• Measure a known control point before beginning production work.

Coordinate-system settings are separate from the receiver connection and NTRIP settings. An active correction stream cannot detect or correct an incorrectly configured projection, datum, geoid model or antenna height.

Troubleshooting #

Problem	Possible cause	Solution
SurvStar cannot find the Supreme ME.	Bluetooth is disabled, the receiver is not powered on or the receiver is already connected to another controller.	Enable Bluetooth, restart the receiver if necessary and connect to the device that matches the Supreme ME serial number.
SurvStar connects to the receiver but no satellite information appears.	The instrument connection is incomplete or the wrong device profile was selected.	Disconnect and reconnect through the SurvStar GNSS instrument connection screen. Verify that the selected receiver matches the Supreme ME.
The NTRIP server does not connect.	The controller or receiver has no working internet connection.	Test mobile-data or Wi-Fi access, then restart the NTRIP connection.
The server rejects the login.	The NTRIP username or password is incorrect.	Copy the NTRIP credentials again from the RTK FIX dashboard. Check capitalization and remove accidental spaces.
The source table does not load.	The host or port is incorrect, internet access is blocked or the service is temporarily unavailable.	Compare the host and port with the RTK FIX dashboard and test the internet connection. Contact support if the supplied service remains unavailable.
The selected mountpoint does not start.	The mountpoint name is incorrect or is not included in the active subscription.	Select the exact mountpoint provided for the subscription. Do not type or choose an alternative mountpoint unless instructed.
A VRS mountpoint connects but no useful corrections are received.	The service may not be receiving a valid NMEA GGA rover position.	Check that position or GGA reporting is enabled in the SurvStar NTRIP configuration when required by the provider.
The receiver remains on Single or Autonomous.	No valid RTK corrections are reaching the receiver.	Check the NTRIP connection state, correction age, username, password, mountpoint and internet connection.
The receiver remains on Float.	Satellite visibility is poor, correction data is intermittent or site conditions are causing multipath.	Move to a more open location, keep the receiver steady and check that correction data remains continuous.
The receiver changes from Fixed to Float.	The sky view has become obstructed or the correction link has become unstable.	Stop measuring, improve sky visibility and wait for a stable Fixed solution with acceptable reported accuracy.
The correction age increases continuously.	The internet connection or NTRIP data stream has stopped.	Restore internet access and restart the NTRIP connection. Do not measure using stale corrections.
The position is consistently offset.	The coordinate system, datum, geoid model, mountpoint or antenna height may be incorrect.	Check the project settings and correction-service reference frame. Verify the setup on a known control point.
Heights are incorrect while horizontal coordinates appear reasonable.	The geoid model, vertical datum or antenna height may be incorrect.	Verify the project’s vertical settings and the entered antenna or pole height before continuing.
The status is Fixed but the reported accuracy is poor.	Satellite geometry, obstructions, multipath or correction-network conditions may be unsuitable.	Do not measure until the reported accuracy is acceptable. Improve the sky view and verify the result on control.

Need help? #

When requesting support, provide the receiver model, controller model, SurvStar version, selected mountpoint, connection status, correction age and a screenshot of the NTRIP settings. Hide the NTRIP password before sharing a screenshot.

Do not publish or send your NTRIP password in an open support forum.

View all RTK FIX setup guides →

View the SOUTH Supreme ME product page, datasheet and manual →

View the official SOUTH SurvStar training resources →