How to Survey Your Own Property with GPS: A Step-by-Step Guide

If you own a piece of property, you may be interested in surveying it yourself using GPS technology. This can be a cost-effective and efficient way to get a detailed map of your property, which can be useful for a variety of purposes such as construction, farming, or land management. In this article, we will provide a step-by-step guide on how to survey your own property with GPS. We will cover the basic principles of GPS, the equipment you will need, and the steps to take to get accurate and reliable data.

What is GPS?

GPS, or Global Positioning System, is a satellite-based navigation system that provides location and time information anywhere on Earth. GPS devices receive signals from a network of satellites orbiting the Earth and use those signals to calculate the user’s precise location.

GPS technology has a variety of uses, from navigation to mapping and surveying. It has become increasingly popular for property owners to use GPS to survey their own land, as it provides accurate and detailed information about the terrain and boundaries of the property.

GPS satellite

Equipment Needed for Your Own Property GPS Survey

To survey your own property with GPS, you will need some specialized equipment. Here are the basic items you will need:

  1. GPS receiver: This is the device that receives signals from the GPS satellites and calculates your location. You can choose from handheld GPS receivers or larger, more advanced models.
  2. Surveying software: This is the software that allows you to collect points with the GPS receiver on your property. There are many options available, some are more extensive than others.
  3. Data collector: You’ll need a device to run the surveying software. these are most of the time special tablets or controllers made for surveying. They are more rugged than normal tablets and can be easily connected with the GPS receiver.
  4. RTK correction network: GPS receivers on their own aren’t that accurate. With an RTK correction network you’ll be able to achieve an accuracy of 1-2 centimeters.

If you combine all these items together we call it a ‘rover set’. A rover set is simply a set of items needed for a surveying job.