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Best antenna pairing for K803/K827?

  • A

    For those using K803 or K827, what antennas are you pairing them with?

    Looking to improve RTK reliability — not sure if upgrading antenna will make a big difference.

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  • w

    Hi Alice, glad to see you post this question.

    For those using the K803 or K827 series, it is important to remember that these are high-end, full-constellation, triple-frequency (L1/L2/L5) boards. To truly improve RTK reliability, your antenna must be able to track those same signals with high phase center stability.

    Based on the products available at Qtalis Antennas, here are the most effective pairings:

    1. For Maximum RTK Reliability: AT360 Geodetic Antenna

    • Why it works: It’s a survey-grade antenna with a large internal ground plane. This is crucial for multipath suppression (filtering out signals reflected from the ground or nearby structures).

    • Best for: Precision agriculture, base stations, and land surveying.

    2. For High-Precision UAVs or Robotics: AT190 Helix Antenna

    If your application involves movement (tilting or banking), a flat patch antenna might lose satellite lock.

    • Why it works: The AT190 is a full-frequency Quad-Helix antenna. It provides excellent gain at low elevation angles and doesn't require a metal ground plane to function.

    • Best for: Drones, autonomous robots, and portable high-precision devices.

    3. Will it make a difference?

    Definitely. If you are currently using a low-cost magnetic patch antenna, upgrading to a geodetic antenna like the AT360 will:

    1. Increase SNR (Signal-to-Noise Ratio): Giving the RTK engine "cleaner" data to work with.

    2. Faster TTFF (Time to First Fix): Especially in sub-optimal conditions.

    3. Better Heavy Canopy Performance: Triple-frequency tracking (L5/E5) is much more robust against ionospheric interference when paired with a capable antenna.

  • A

    @will

    Thanks Will, this is super helpful!

    I’m actually using a basic magnetic patch antenna right now, so that might explain the instability I’m seeing.

    The AT190 sounds interesting — my setup is on a UAV, so orientation does change quite a bit.

    Have you personally tested it on drones? Curious how it performs during aggressive movement.

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  • w

    Sorry for late reply Alice. You are exactly right. Basic patch antennas easily lose satellite lock when a drone banks or tilts.

    To answer your question: Yes, we've extensively tested the AT190 on drones. It was actually designed specifically for UAVs. It handles aggressive movements perfectly because of:

    1. Wide Beamwidth: Keeps tracking satellites even at extreme tilt angles.

    2. Stable Phase Center: Maintains RTK accuracy during sharp turns.

    3. Lightweight Design: Built for drones without adding extra payload weight.

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