Setup Guide · DJI RTK Drones
DJI RTK drones connect to any NTRIP service through the Custom Network RTK option in DJI Pilot 2. The setup takes less than two minutes — but there are two DJI-specific rules that catch almost every first-time user. Read those before you start.
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Rule 1 — Always use MSM5, never MSM4
DJI's RTK engine requires Doppler observations to initialise Fix. MSM5 includes Doppler; MSM4 does not. If you connect a DJI drone to an MSM4 mountpoint, the correction stream flows and the connection shows as active — but the drone will never reach RTK Fixed. It stays on Float indefinitely. Always select the MSM5 mountpoint: RTCM3_NL_MSM5.
Rule 2 — Always connect outdoors, never indoors
DJI sends GGA (its position to the NTRIP server) only after the drone has achieved standalone GPS lock — typically after acquiring 10–12 satellites. This only happens outdoors. If you configure and connect indoors, the server receives no valid position and streams nothing back. The app may show "connected" but RTK status stays at Single or Float. Always power on and connect outdoors with clear sky.
Requirements
The controller needs internet access to reach the NTRIP server. Connect it to a mobile hotspot from your phone, or insert a 4G dongle if your controller supports it (RC Pro and RC Plus both have a USB-A port for 4G dongles).
Go to the controller's Wi-Fi settings and connect to your hotspot. Verify internet is working by checking that the controller's status bar shows a data connection before proceeding.
Place the drone on a level surface outdoors with clear sky view. Power on the drone, then the controller. Open DJI Pilot 2.
Wait until the drone's GPS indicator shows at least 10 satellites and the status displays Single Point or better. This typically takes 30–60 seconds. Do not attempt to connect to NTRIP before this point — the drone is not yet sending a valid GGA position.
In DJI Pilot 2, tap the three dots (···) in the top-right corner of the camera view to open the settings menu.
Look for the satellite icon in the settings list — this is the RTK menu. It only appears when a compatible RTK module is attached and recognised by the controller. If you do not see it, check that the RTK module is correctly seated and the drone firmware is up to date.
Tap the satellite icon to open the RTK configuration panel.
In the RTK panel, enable RTK Positioning using the toggle at the top. Also enable Maintain Positioning Accuracy — this keeps RTK active during the mission rather than falling back to GPS when RTK briefly fluctuates.
Set RTK Service Type to Custom Network RTK. This is the standard NTRIP option for any third-party correction service.
Fill in the Custom Network RTK fields. For RTKsub:
Tap Save. DJI Pilot 2 will immediately attempt to connect to the NTRIP server and begin streaming corrections.
Watch the RTK status indicator in DJI Pilot 2. It progresses through:
In good sky conditions within 30 km of a reference station, Fixed Point typically arrives within 30–90 seconds of connecting. The status bar also shows "RTK data connected — RTK in use" when corrections are flowing.
DJI will not allow take-off while the RTK status is Single Point or Float if RTK is enabled. Wait for Fixed Point before launching the mission.
Credentials are remembered
Once you save your NTRIP credentials in DJI Pilot 2, they are stored on the controller. On subsequent sessions you only need to go to RTK settings and tap Save again — the fields are already filled. No need to retype credentials at each job site.
Select your drone model for specific setup notes:
DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise and Mavic 3T: The RTK module is a separate purchase and is not included with the base drone. Without it, no RTK menu appears in Pilot 2. Install the module by opening the accessory port on top and aligning the connector carefully before tightening the screws.
The Mavic 3E uses the RC Pro Enterprise controller. Connect it to internet via a phone hotspot — the RC Pro has no built-in SIM slot. Some users connect the RC Pro to a 4G dongle via a USB-A to USB-C adapter.
The Mavic 3T (thermal) also supports the RTK module for the visible camera channel. RTK accuracy applies to RGB geotagging — thermal images use the same geotag.
DJI M30 and M30T: RTK is built into the aircraft — no separate module is needed. The RC Plus controller has a built-in 4G modem. Insert a standard SIM card into the RC Plus for direct mobile data without needing a phone hotspot.
Navigate to RTK settings via the three dots in the top right of the Pilot 2 flight view, then the satellite icon. The path and fields are identical to the Mavic 3E.
The M30 series supports all NTRIP v1 and v2 servers. If you encounter a "setting failed" error, verify that your NTRIP server uses standard HTTP-based NTRIP (not HTTPS or TLS) — some older DJI firmware versions do not support encrypted NTRIP connections.
DJI Matrice 300 RTK: RTK is built in. The Smart Controller Enterprise has a USB-A port for a 4G dongle or connects to a phone hotspot. DJI also sold a dedicated 4G dongle for the M300's controller.
On the M300, the RTK menu is accessed via the three dots in the top right → Satellite icon (or direct from the main settings screen depending on firmware version). The Custom Network RTK fields are the same as on other models.
The M300 is paired with the Zenmuse P1 or L1 payload for survey missions. RTK corrections apply to all geotagged imagery from these payloads.
DJI Matrice 350 RTK: Successor to the M300. RTK is built in. Uses the RC Plus controller with a built-in SIM slot for direct 4G connectivity — the cleanest internet solution for field use.
The setup path in DJI Pilot 2 is identical to the M300. The Matrice 350 supports both Custom Network RTK and DJI's own D-RTK 2 base station option.
Firmware 10.01.0100 and later support NTRIP v2, which enables VRS mountpoints. If your VRS connection is returning no data, check that firmware is up to date.
DJI Phantom 4 RTK: An older model that still supports Custom Network RTK. Internet connection is via phone hotspot only — the P4 RTK controller has no 4G dongle port.
The RTK menu location in the older Pilot app interface is slightly different — look in the main settings panel rather than the three-dot menu. The NTRIP fields and credential requirements are identical.
Note: the Phantom 4 RTK uses an older DJI processing engine. Some VRS services report lower initialisation success rates on this model compared to newer DJI aircraft. Use a standard single-station mountpoint (MSM5) if VRS initialisation is slow.
Follow this sequence on every flight to ensure RTK is active and reliable before take-off:
DJI outputs ellipsoidal heights by default — height above the WGS84 ellipsoid, not above sea level. For photogrammetry missions where orthometric heights matter, you need to apply a geoid correction either in DJI Pilot 2 or in post-processing software.
In DJI Pilot 2, go to Settings → RTK → Geoid File and load the appropriate national geoid. For the Netherlands, load NLGEO2018 (part of RDNAPTRANS™ 2018). For the UK, load OSGM15. This converts the drone's ellipsoidal heights to orthometric heights in the geotagged image data.
Heights without geoid are off by 38–44 m in the Netherlands
If you do not load a geoid file and your photogrammetry software uses the drone's raw ellipsoidal heights, your terrain model will be elevated by approximately 38–44 m relative to NAP. This does not affect horizontal accuracy — only heights. Always verify against a known benchmark point before delivering results.
| Problem | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Connected but stuck on Float | MSM4 mountpoint selected instead of MSM5 | Change mountpoint to RTCM3_NL_MSM5. Save and reconnect. |
| "Setting failed" error on save | No internet connection or wrong host | Verify controller has internet. Check host has no http:// prefix. Port must be 2101. |
| RTK status shows 0 bytes/sec | Connected indoors — GGA not sent | Go outside. Wait for GPS lock. Reconnect. |
| No satellite icon in settings menu | RTK module not detected | Power off, reseat the RTK module, power on. Check for firmware update. |
| Fixed Point but wrong image heights | Geoid file not loaded — ellipsoidal vs orthometric | Load national geoid in Pilot 2 Settings → RTK → Geoid File. |
| RTK drops to Float during mission | Internet disconnected or signal lost | Check hotspot connection. Enable "Maintain Positioning Accuracy" to minimise impact of brief drops. |
| Long initialisation — >5 min to Fixed | Long baseline or obstructed sky | Switch to VRS mountpoint (RTCM3_NL_VRS). Move drone to clearer sky area. |