gfd_703 - 11/21/2024 08:07

Good information so far. A John Deere base consists of a receiver with activations, a radio, FCC licensing, power supply, amplifier, harnessing, building to house the components, antenna and coax, and some type of tall structure to mount antenna. 180 foot tower is currently $20,000 installed. Got a grain leg tall enough you can save that expense. Amplifiers are tricky as they have to accept 2 watts input, most are for 2 way and have to have 10 to 25 watts input. Amps also have to transmit data and most are for voice communication. ROE communications has an amp that will work. Lightening is a constant battle, one hit can take out every component except the tower. If you farm outside of a 12 to 15 mile radius of the tower you will need another base. Newer technology coming down the road will require satellite RTK, current John Deere receivers are the last generation that will accept an RTK radio. With this being said radio RTK will be here for years to come, just wanting to point out where we are heading. If you get used receiver, radio and activations, have a grain leg to mount antenna on and are versed on radio communications you can get a base set up for $10,000-$15,000. Compare this to what you are paying now to see your ROI. Remember one storm and you are back to square one if you get hit. It could be late in the game to invest a lot of money in radio RTK.