Looking for John Deere SF-RTK?
SF-RTK is John Deere’s satellite-delivered correction product. John Deere Mobile RTK is a separate arrangement that receives corrections through a mobile connection and requires suitable StarFire hardware and activations.
RTK Solutions does not sell SF-RTK. We provide an independent RTCM correction source for John Deere installations that have a compatible Mobile RTK or NTRIP route. The receiver and modem details must be confirmed before the machine is described as compatible.
Compare the hardware, connection and pricing choices on our dedicated John Deere RTK base station and subscription guide.
Key points
- Delivery: RTK over internet/4G
- Mountpoints: nearest-system + per-base redundancy
- Compatibility: suitable StarFire receiver, RTK activation and a supported Mobile RTK or NTRIP modem route
- Subscription: one price for the whole farm (covers all equipment, not per tractor)
- Network access: access to all RTK Solutions bases via NTRIP
- Installation: PoE adapter included; the installed base needs suitable mains power, with battery and 4G backup built in
- Uptime target: 99.9%
- Guarantee: first-year satisfaction refund (return the base for a full refund)
For a fuller comparison of John Deere RTK base station options and John Deere RTK subscription options, see the dedicated guide page.
Plug-and-play deployment
Install the base with suitable mains power and either Ethernet or Wi-Fi. The PoE adapter is included, while the internal battery and 4G connection provide backup. We then remotely configure the base and calibrate its position against the Ordnance Survey network.
- 1) Mount the antenna securely above the roofline, clear of obstructions
- 2) Connect the included PoE adapter to suitable mains power and provide Ethernet or Wi-Fi
- 3) We remotely configure the installed base and calibrate it against the Ordnance Survey network
- 4) Enter NTRIP details on the machine and work
If you are deciding between owning a base and using a correction service, view our John Deere RTK base station comparison page.
John Deere details needed for a compatibility answer
- StarFire receiver model, such as 6000 or 7500
- Generation of display and current guidance software
- Active RTK and Mobile RTK licences
- The modem currently receiving correction data
- Whether the machine is presently using SF-RTK, radio RTK or Mobile RTK
A tractor model alone is not enough. Two visually similar John Deere machines may have different receiver activations and communications hardware.
Why Mobile RTK and SF-RTK should not be confused
SF-RTK is delivered through John Deere’s satellite service. Mobile RTK receives a correction stream over the internet and is the route relevant to an independent NTRIP network.
Where the installed hardware accepts the RTK Solutions stream, we provide the network credentials and confirm the machine reaches a stable RTK FIX. If the John Deere setup is limited to a Deere-specific service, we explain the missing activation or hardware before any purchase.
Existing guidance lines
Datum and base-position differences matter when changing correction source. Existing repeatable work should be checked against a known point before it is used operationally.
John Deere RTK questions
Does a StarFire 6000 or 7500 guarantee compatibility?
No. The relevant activations and a supported correction-data route are also required.
Can one farm base serve several John Deere machines?
Yes, when every machine has compatible Mobile RTK or NTRIP hardware and the necessary licences.
Next step
See how the network works, compare John Deere RTK base station options, then view the RTK base station packages.