Active station

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A Leica dome.
A Trimble conical antenna.
Array of antennae.


Active Stations are GPS receivers which constantly write Receiver Independent Exchange Format (RINEX) data out to the Ordnance Survey OS Net website. The files are publically downloadable, and allow measurements taken in the field to be post-processed for greater accuracy.

The Active Station network came online in early 2000. Most early stations were placed in pairs and had TRIMBLE 4000SSI receivers with conical antennae in small arrays, though freestanding Leica CRS1000 and Ashtech UZ-12 receivers were also used.

A major upgrade to the active network was started in December 2008 when most active stations were equipped with GNSS-enabled receivers with single dome-shaped antennae such as the Leica GRX1200 or AR25. More recently, the slimmer Leica AR10 has been installed, also the Trimble TRM55971 featuring a small flat plate. Since 2018, new Septentrio PolaRx5 receivers have been installed on some sites. The OS antenna offset page lists some current models

Log files for current and discontinued stations are available from BIGF (British Isles continuous GNSS Facility) as is a map of current stations. Active stations maintained by bodies other than the Ordnance Survey, referred to as 'Scientific Stations', are also listed here.

As of October 2024 Trigpointing UK lists 185 Active Stations, approximately 25% of these are destroyed stations.

OS Active Stations installed since 2020
T:UK Station name Location Grid Ref Date installed Notes
TP25845 TAUO Taunton ST 24444 25397 2020-02-04 Replaced earlier stations
TP25844 EDIB Edinburgh NT 16115 71403 2021-06-22 Replaced earlier stations
TP25848 CATE Catterick SE 17953 97410 2022-01-31 Replacement for nearby station CATT
TP25857 HART Hartley Wintney SU 76411 56368 2022-07-05
TP25944 REDE Redesdale NY 82337 99022 2024-04-02 Weather station compound
T25943 CHEW Chew Magna ST 56698 60802 2024-07-03 Roof of Chew Valley Sailing Club at the W angle

An OS report dated 2024-12-05 states that 'Station SWAS (Swansea) has been destroyed. A replacement station is being installed in the same area and should be online in the next few months.'