StarFire iTC Receiver Owner? It’s Time to Upgrade
Are you still using a StarFire iTC Receiver? If so, now is the time to upgrade. We have received word from Deere that effective February 1, 2021 the StarFire iTC Receivers will no longer provide the accuracy to support AutoTrac guidance.
Why the change?
The John Deere StarFire iTC Receivers will no longer be able to receive the SF1 or SF2 correction signal required for machines to AutoTrac. This change is occurring due to a government satellite update. These new satellites will broadcast the L5 signal replacing older signals. The hardware inside an iTC receiver will not allow it to receive the newer data. Starfire 3000s and 6000s are not affected by this change.
Will the iTC still work?
The StarFire iTC Receiver will continue receiving the WAAS signal (free signal provided by the government) until approximately 2026 or if the US GPS satellite constellation P(Y) code is retired. Therefore, you will continue to be able to use iTC Receivers for non-AutoTrac applications, such as mapping, documentation, and in some cases section control in 2021 and beyond. Older tractors and combines without AutoTrac might be a great place to install your iTC receiver.
Should I get a new receiver?
To continue being able to use AutoTrac, you will need to upgrade to a new John Deere StarFire 6000 Receiver. If you still have an SF2 or RTK activation on an iTC receiver, you can transfer your existing activation to a StarFire 6000 receiver. This will ensure you can continue using AutoTrac and enjoy the advantages of an upgraded receiver system. Other additional benefits of the upgraded SF6000 Receiver include increased accuracy, faster pull-in times, in-season repeatability, and overall increased uptime.
While the iTC can still be used this year, our customers have commented that the SF6000 receivers offer faster signal acquisition and better signal quality retention in challenging field applications than older receivers.
We can still sell pre-owned StarFire 3000 receivers, but you cannot get a SF3000 receiver new from John Deere.
Don’t wait until the last minute, make sure you talk to one of our Integrated Solutions Specialists about upgrading your StarFire iTC Receiver today!