Dipper: GPS Area Measure
Area Measure › Help center

Reading the sky plot

Technical details on the receiver page shows where the receiver's satellites are and how strong their signals are. Under them, a one-line verdict sums it up: good, fair or weak satellite reception.

The sky plot

The circle is the sky above you, laid out like a map: the center is straight overhead, the edge is the horizon, and north is at the top.

Each dot is a satellite, colored by system: GPS, GLONASS, Galileo and BeiDou. Filled dots are used for your position; hollow dots are in view but not used.

The signal bars

Each bar is one satellite's signal: green is strong (40 or more), yellow is fair (30–39), orange is weak (below 30). Faded bars are satellites that are not used.

A steady RTK fix usually needs 10 or more satellites in use, with most bars green.

Blocked sky

If the dots on one side are hollow or their bars are low, something on that side, such as a building, trees or a vehicle, is blocking the sky. The app names the weak side for you. Move away from it, or raise the antenna.

Bluetooth signal

For a Bluetooth receiver, the page also shows the link strength: −70 dBm or higher is strong; below −85 dBm the connection may drop, so keep the phone closer.

Still need help?

Email us and include a screenshot of the screen in question and, for receiver problems, the receiver model. [email protected]