RTK stands for Real Time Kinematic. RTK is a process whereby GPS Corrections are transferred in Real Time from a reference receiver to 1 or more rover receivers.
RTK Extends the capabilities of Free to Air GPS to get even greater accuracy. GPS Signals alone are only 3 - 5 metres accurate (depending on several factors).
RTK allows the GPS signal to be corrected down to an accuracy of +/- 2.5cm 95% of the time within 15km of an RTK Reference site. The accuracy degrades by 1mm for every km further away from the Base Station.
This accuracy is defined as Pass to Pass as well as Year to Year. Meaning that a guidance line used this year will be within 2.5cm if re-used next year.

Boekeman Machinery use Trimble RTK Base Stations and Repeaters in their RTK Network. Trimble are one of the world leaders in developing GPS Technology.

The Boekeman Machinery RTK Network covers nearly 2 million hectares with over 35 sites in operation. From Beverley in the South through to Goodlands in the North and from Trayning in the East to York in the West, the Boekeman Machinery RTK network has much of the Central Wheatbelt covered.

Boekeman Machinery actually has An Array of Networks.
A single network is comprised of a Base Station and 1 or more Repeaters. A machine using the RTK network will move seemlessly between using the signal from the base or any of the repeaters
Moving between networks requires the user to change the network ID in their guidance system in order to connect to the closest network.
Boekeman Machinery's RTK Network Array has enhanced security whereby each user is given a passcode in order to use the Network. This passcode is transferrable between all RTK networks operated by Boekeman Machinery.
To make things simpler the whole Boekeman Machinery RTK Network Array is simply referred to as the RTK Network.

Repeaters serve 2 main purposes.

1. Repeat the RTK signal Back towards the Base Station filling in black spots behind hills etc.
2. Repeat the RTK signal in order to extend the Range of the signal

This first purpose is the primary reason that Boekeman Machinery use Repeaters in their RTK Network.
The signal transmitted from the Base Station is referred to as Line of Sight. What this means is that if the RTK Base Station can't "See" the far side of hills then there will be no RTK signal received in these areas.

Using repeaters at appropriate locations reduces the number of spots on hills facing away from the Base Station that don't receive RTK signal. Using Repeaters to extend the Range of an RTK network isn't ideal. The RTK signal is only accurate to 2.5cm at 15km from the Base Station. Going further from the Base Station will degrade the accuracy

Many Agricultural GPS systems will provide a good Pass to Pass accuracy. Pass to Pass accuracy is the relative accuracy over a 15 minute period. If a GPS System has a Pass to Pass Accuracy of 10cm there will be less than 10cm of overlap or skip on the next pass.

Pass to Pass Accuracy is all about how close together each pass is. Not necessarily whether the original pass was in exactly the right position.

Repeatable accuracy is all about how far off from the original row you are after a day, week, month or year. The Boekeman Machinery RTK network will provide 2.5cm Year to Year Repeatable Accuracy.

A Precision Farming Solution with a high Year to Year Repeatable accuracy will allow you to: Drive down the same rows as you did last year Perform Inter-Row or Same-Row Seeding Implement a Controlled Traffic solution to your paddocks to reduce overall compaction Know precisely where all obstacles and fence lines are

Setting up a reliable and accurate RTK Base Station requires expertise and quite a large capital expenditure. These factors in themselves put owning your own RTK Base Station out of reach for most farmers.
Omnistar HP provides a good 10cm accurate signal but can take quite a long time to attain that accuracy (up to 40 minutes). The HP signal can be lost if driving under trees or too close to buildings. This results in the system starting over and can take another 40 minutes before being at 10cm again. Omnistar are a large company and if you have any problems you will be talking to a person sitting at a switchboard.

In comparison, the Boekeman Machinery RTK network is setup by fully trained experts using the best equipment available at the best locations available to ensure the maximum reliability of the RTK signal. To cover the cost of the RTK sites a small annual subscription is paid by each user.
The RTK accuracy is typically aquired in less than 1 minute and is re-aquired in the same time should the signal drop due to trees or buildings.
Boekeman Machinery employ 4 full time staff who are dedicated to Precision Farming and the RTK network. The person you talk to for help has a face.

The Boekeman Machinery RTK Network uses Trimble Base Stations. In order to use the RTK signal a Trimble Rover Radio and Trimble GPS Receiver are required.
The Trimble EZ-Guide 500 and FM1000 displays are RTK compatible as are the Trimble AgGPS 252 receivers used on many Trimble FMD systems, Topcon X20 installations and Case IH machines running the Pro600 display.
If you have an EZ-Guide 500, FM1000 or another compatible Trimble Receiver it can be upgraded to use the RTK signal.
Many 3rd Party Displays and Systems will allow the use of a Trimble GPS Receiver. So you may be able to get RTK without throwing away all of your previous investments.

If the GPS Receiver and RTK radio are purchased from Boekeman Machinery the subscription cost is:
$1500 + GST Per Year for the first unit and
$300 + GST per year for each unit thereafter.

If the GPS Receiver and RTK Radio were purchased from another vendor the subscription cost is:
$1800 + GST Per Year for the first unit and
$300 + GST per year for each unit thereafter.

The RTK Network Subscription Year is from 1st April through to 31st March. Users coming onto the RTK Network will be charged a Pro-Rata rate until the 1st of April the following subscription year.