Since I saw comments on this, let me give some feedback on my myopic view of how the system seems to work for me, make some comments on my perspective (and see if this matches others), and make a Christmas wish at the end!
Please forgive any misuse of terms or jargon in this, but feel free to correct...
When I set up a single, standalone base my Rover says that I have 20 satellites. But because I only share visibility on 12 of those with the Base, I really only have 12.
A standalone base from the network is much the same, the difference is how I get the corrections, also the base is usually farther away, and so it becomes likely that the sky view is different from my Rover.
The Network(VRS or M/Aux) solution seems to limit the effective amount of satellites to those shared by multiple stations and my Rover. I don't know if this is true, but it seems the case.
So, in challenging environments, it seems the likelihood of getting a fix goes like this (in descending order):
1. Standalone base set up by me, very near to where I use my Rover. (Same sky.)
2. Standalone base (including network) within a reasonable distance, say a couple of miles.
3. Network base.
My dream is not for some vector to a real CORS, but for a system that finds multiple CORS that are seeing each of the satellites that my Rover is seeing, and creates this Super Base that allows me to use all of those theoretical 20 satellites I mentioned above.
I'd be really, really surprised if your rover is tracking 20 and only matching 12 with the base unless your rover is tracking GLONASS and the base isn't. A mismatch of 2 satellites might be reasonable, not 8.
I've used both RTN and singlebase. Whether you're using your own base or RTN, your rover will track the same, 13-18 satellites. If you're only using GPS, 8 to 12.
> Since I saw comments on this, let me give some feedback on my myopic view of how the system seems to work for me, make some comments on my perspective (and see if this matches others), and make a Christmas wish at the end!
>
> Please forgive any misuse of terms or jargon in this, but feel free to correct...
> When I set up a single, standalone base my Rover says that I have 20 satellites. But because I only share visibility on 12 of those with the Base, I really only have 12.
>
> A standalone base from the network is much the same, the difference is how I get the corrections, also the base is usually farther away, and so it becomes likely that the sky view is different from my Rover.
>
> The Network(VRS or M/Aux) solution seems to limit the effective amount of satellites to those shared by multiple stations and my Rover. I don't know if this is true, but it seems the case.
>
> So, in challenging environments, it seems the likelihood of getting a fix goes like this (in descending order):
> 1. Standalone base set up by me, very near to where I use my Rover. (Same sky.)
> 2. Standalone base (including network) within a reasonable distance, say a couple of miles.
> 3. Network base.
>
> My dream is not for some vector to a real CORS, but for a system that finds multiple CORS that are seeing each of the satellites that my Rover is seeing, and creates this Super Base that allows me to use all of those theoretical 20 satellites I mentioned above.
I agree with Sat Al. It sounds like for some reason when the rover connects to the RTN it is not using GLONASS, where as for the single base GLONASS is included in the solution.