2025-11-17, 11:37
Hi everyone,
I’m new to the forum and still learning how the Blitzortung/LightningMaps system works, so I hope this is an appropriate place to ask. I’m considering setting up my first H-field station in a fairly dense urban area, and I’m trying to understand what kind of antenna placement would give the best results.
My main concern is electrical noise. I live in an apartment building with plenty of nearby power lines, elevators, and general broadband interference. I’ve read that proper antenna orientation and distance from buildings can make a big difference, but I’m still uncertain about what is “good enough” before I invest in a kit.
A few questions:
I’m new to the forum and still learning how the Blitzortung/LightningMaps system works, so I hope this is an appropriate place to ask. I’m considering setting up my first H-field station in a fairly dense urban area, and I’m trying to understand what kind of antenna placement would give the best results.
My main concern is electrical noise. I live in an apartment building with plenty of nearby power lines, elevators, and general broadband interference. I’ve read that proper antenna orientation and distance from buildings can make a big difference, but I’m still uncertain about what is “good enough” before I invest in a kit.
A few questions:
- How far from a building wall or metal balcony should an H-field antenna ideally be placed to reduce noise pickup?
- Does height matter more than horizontal distance from electrical sources?
- Would placing the antenna on a rooftop help, or can rooftop equipment (HVAC, solar inverters) actually make interference worse?
- Are there any practical noise-testing steps I can do before buying hardware?