P-70 Ultra Raw GNSS Observation Output and PPK Support?
Quote from anonymous on August 13, 2026, 9:51 pmDoes the P-70 Ultra support raw GNSS observation output (e.g., UBX RXM-RAWX or RTCM MSM) for post-processed kinematic (PPK) use, or is it RTK/NMEA only? Your product listings mention both NMEA and UBX message support, so I'd like to confirm what's available.
Does the P-70 Ultra support raw GNSS observation output (e.g., UBX RXM-RAWX or RTCM MSM) for post-processed kinematic (PPK) use, or is it RTK/NMEA only? Your product listings mention both NMEA and UBX message support, so I'd like to confirm what's available.
Quote from GPSWebShop Official on August 13, 2026, 9:55 pmThank you for the clear question. Here is a detailed breakdown of the P-70 Ultra’s capabilities:
1) What “UBX” Means in the P-70 Ultra Documentation
The P-70 Ultra is not a u-blox-based receiver. It uses a BK/Polaris chipset.
When Columbus documentation states that the P-70 supports “UBX messages,” it refers to a selection of UBX-compatible navigation and status messages that can be enabled under Output POLARIS Message in NavStarTool. Examples include:
- UBX-NAV-PVT
- UBX-NAV-POSLLH / HPPOSLLH
- UBX-NAV-DOP / SAT / STATUS / VELNED
These are primarily position, navigation, and status messages, rather than raw GNSS observation data.
The P-70 Ultra does not support u-blox raw observation messages such as UBX-RXM-RAWX.
Reference: Columbus – How to Modify Output Messages (NMEA, UBX)
2) RTCM MSM / Raw Observations
The P-70 Ultra can output RTCM3 MSM messages, including MSM3, MSM4, MSM5, and MSM7, typically when configured as an RTK Base.
In a normal Rover configuration, RTCM output is generally disabled—the receiver accepts RTCM corrections and outputs its calculated position through NMEA. When configured as a Base, RTCM MSM measurement messages can be enabled to provide correction data to RTK rovers.
Capability P-70 Ultra NMEA for live RTK / standalone positioning Yes — primary output UBX-NAV-* compatible messages Yes — navigation/status data UBX-RXM-RAWX No RTCM3 MSM output Yes — primarily in Base mode Built-in PPK logging / RINEX export Not a supported onboard workflow 3) Practical Answer for PPK Applications
For live RTK, the P-70 Ultra is well suited for receiving RTCM corrections and providing high-accuracy NMEA output. It can also provide RTCM MSM corrections when configured as an RTK Base.
For a traditional PPK workflow based on UBX-RXM-RAWX → RINEX, however, the P-70 Ultra is not the appropriate choice. For this application, we recommend a receiver that natively provides raw GNSS observations and supports conversion or export to RINEX.
It may be technically possible to record RTCM MSM streams using external software for later post-processing, but this is different from a built-in RAWX/RINEX PPK workflow. Therefore, we do not position the P-70 Ultra as a turnkey PPK/RINEX data logger.
If your application specifically requires PPK with RINEX 3.x, we’ll be happy to recommend Columbus EX-1 GNSS Receiver.
Thank you for the clear question. Here is a detailed breakdown of the P-70 Ultra’s capabilities:
1) What “UBX” Means in the P-70 Ultra Documentation
The P-70 Ultra is not a u-blox-based receiver. It uses a BK/Polaris chipset.
When Columbus documentation states that the P-70 supports “UBX messages,” it refers to a selection of UBX-compatible navigation and status messages that can be enabled under Output POLARIS Message in NavStarTool. Examples include:
- UBX-NAV-PVT
- UBX-NAV-POSLLH / HPPOSLLH
- UBX-NAV-DOP / SAT / STATUS / VELNED
These are primarily position, navigation, and status messages, rather than raw GNSS observation data.
The P-70 Ultra does not support u-blox raw observation messages such as UBX-RXM-RAWX.
Reference: Columbus – How to Modify Output Messages (NMEA, UBX)
2) RTCM MSM / Raw Observations
The P-70 Ultra can output RTCM3 MSM messages, including MSM3, MSM4, MSM5, and MSM7, typically when configured as an RTK Base.
In a normal Rover configuration, RTCM output is generally disabled—the receiver accepts RTCM corrections and outputs its calculated position through NMEA. When configured as a Base, RTCM MSM measurement messages can be enabled to provide correction data to RTK rovers.
| Capability | P-70 Ultra |
|---|---|
| NMEA for live RTK / standalone positioning | Yes — primary output |
| UBX-NAV-* compatible messages | Yes — navigation/status data |
| UBX-RXM-RAWX | No |
| RTCM3 MSM output | Yes — primarily in Base mode |
| Built-in PPK logging / RINEX export | Not a supported onboard workflow |
3) Practical Answer for PPK Applications
For live RTK, the P-70 Ultra is well suited for receiving RTCM corrections and providing high-accuracy NMEA output. It can also provide RTCM MSM corrections when configured as an RTK Base.
For a traditional PPK workflow based on UBX-RXM-RAWX → RINEX, however, the P-70 Ultra is not the appropriate choice. For this application, we recommend a receiver that natively provides raw GNSS observations and supports conversion or export to RINEX.
It may be technically possible to record RTCM MSM streams using external software for later post-processing, but this is different from a built-in RAWX/RINEX PPK workflow. Therefore, we do not position the P-70 Ultra as a turnkey PPK/RINEX data logger.
If your application specifically requires PPK with RINEX 3.x, we’ll be happy to recommend Columbus EX-1 GNSS Receiver.