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QGIS as Survey tool for Reach RS

QGIS (previously known as Quantum GIS) is the cross-platform free and open-source desktop geographic information system (GIS) app that provides data viewing, editing, and analysis. It can be used for almost any GIS application. Our Community user Brent Wiebe put Reach RS and QGIS running on Windows together and shows how to connect them.

First of all, we need to connect our survey equipment to QGIS. There are two simple ways. One, over local network, or second by USB. In order to connect over local network, the computer running QGIS needs to be on the same network as the rover. This can be via the rover’s hotspot. This screenshot shows the reach Rover config and the QGIS config. The port number is the same as we’ll enter in QGIS to find position string.

In QGIS, the color panel turns green to indicate connection when we enter in the IP address of the rover and the port number.

The second way to connect is via “serial device”, actually USB. First plug the micro USB into the opening on Rover.

Then, plug the other end into the computer USB port.

For this, the settings on your rover should look like this:

In QGIS, choose to connect by serial device and use the same COM port as is shown in connected devices.

Now that we’re connected we should see our position in QGIS similar to on our Reachview app.

In QGIS, we can choose from a wide range of background maps, including, of course, your own drone imagery.

The GPS panel shows status but if you want to check for the solution status it is better to keep an eye on ReachView app for that. Once we’re connected and have our layers and snapping settings ready we can go to work! Adding points, lines, and polygons, based on our location.

Let’s see at the feature of manually entering lines. Often we need to enter a line and then enter distances and directions based on that line, e.g. 30 m at 90 degrees relative to a given line. QGIS has a feature called CAD tools that should work for this. First, enter the line (for example, property line). Then, draw parallel or perpendicular lines from that one.
This is found in the advanced digitizing panel. Here you can select start point by vertex and then begin drawing from that point at a direction relative to a selected line.

Distances and angles can be preset. Here is the tutorial for QGIS CAD tool by Klas Karlsson: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsjmLa16obs1.
Back in the office after the survey, there are options to trim, extend, fillet linework, convert points to arcs, etc. These features could be used while surveying as well. Check out the plug-in QAD.