I’m looking at https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/ho … ce-station
I can’t see a lightning arrester in the setup in the picture. I’m wondering what would happen if the antenna was stuck by lightning. I’m concerned that this could start a fire. Is this a real danger?
What are your recommendations for precautions against lightning? Should I fit a lightning arrester between the antenna cable and the board?
Lightning striking your antenna would definitely be a problem. At best it’s going to damage something, at worst it could start a fire.
Unfortunately we don’t have any recommendations for lightning protection, if you know any HAM radio operators, they might be helpful in selecting a lightning arrester that would be suitable for use at GPS frequencies. You’re probably more likely to have lightning issues with the LoRa/radio antenna than the GPS antenna since it’s going to be high up for maximum range but it’s good to protect both.
A quick google search for “gps antenna lightning arrester” turned up the link below, that might work for you.
Thanks.
My antenna supplier also sells lightning arresters. They are expensive ($100-$200), but if the alternative is to risk a fire, worth it. The one I’ve bought is fairly hefty - bigger than the GPS board that it’s protecting. It has TNC connections, so I also need an adapter.
TNC seems to be a fairly common standard for GPS equipment. TNC to SMA is a bit specialist and there weren’t many offerings. An adapter in the Sparkfun catalogue would be useful.