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GPS reception and lightning protection
Posted: Sat Mar 20, 2021 9:55 pm
by frederickunltd
Curious, since these boats are all aluminum, do you get adequate reception in the cabin for GPS and cellphone? Since they are basically faraday cages, how is the lightning protection? Also, do you present a large enough radar return to negate needing a reflector?
Thx, Bob
Re: GPS reception and lightning protection
Posted: Sun Mar 21, 2021 7:35 am
by GB49
The glass windows negate any Faraday effects.
GPS and cellular work fine inside.
Lightning is a non issue. It would (in my opinion) be shunted out the hull into the water much easier than fiberglass. But all bets are off with a direct strike.
From what little I have read on the radar subject it does seem metal boats should use a reflector but may want to look into AIS transceiver.
-Karl
Re: GPS reception and lightning protection
Posted: Sun Mar 21, 2021 1:24 pm
by Busia
I had to mount an external antenna for my GPS. It would work fine until I turned and the signal was blocked. Cell phones seem to work though.