Lightning detection system

[BajaTaco]

This would be so cool to have as part of a mobile computing system.

Boltek lightning detection system

Basically, a little device that uses radio signals produced by lightning strikes to locate their position and intensity. It detects lightning up to 300 miles away and allows you to track the locations on your laptop using their software and your GPS receiver. You can set it to provide an alarm when a storm is detected, and the laptop doesn't need to be on. It can give a "close storm" alarm, or a "severe storm" alarm based on the intensity of the lightning strikes.

I also noticed a guy using this setup on his weather station (he has posted online) is also able to tell if the lighting is "cloud-ground" or "intracloud" with a percentage readout.

 

[mountainpete]

Very cool... it must be a very decent directional antenna to allow you to pinpoint the strike location versus your own location.

I would love to see once of these used versus something like XM Sat weather. I wonder if you would see the same accuracy on XM...

 

[Scenic WonderRunner]

Very Kewl..........!

Although I didn't really need it in July 2005 up on Milk Ranch point......Mogollon Rim.

When lightining was HITTING all around us! .....Flash/BANG!...:Wow1:

My son and I just sat in the vehicle and let the storm pass.

Wow!..........That was hairy!

I can see how this would be very useful.......but you have to remember to sit down and look it up on your puter.

I guess when you hear the Bangs coming closer.........that's the reminder to look it up!

 

[BajaTaco]

but you have to remember to sit down and look it up on your puter.

I guess when you hear the Bangs coming closer.........that's the reminder to look it up!

No, you can set it to alert you with visual/audible alarms if you want it to. Set it and forget it.

 

[BajaTaco]

Very cool... it must be a very decent directional antenna to allow you to pinpoint the strike location versus your own location.

I would love to see once of these used versus something like XM Sat weather. I wonder if you would see the same accuracy on XM...

If cost were no object, I'd rather have the XM Sat weather, but I believe that costs over $100/mo. in subscription fees. The nice thing about this is that it's a one-time purchase.

 

[mountainpete]

If cost were no object, I'd rather have the XM Sat weather, but I believe that costs over $100/mo. in subscription fees. The nice thing about this is that it's a one-time purchase.

Didn't realize it was that expensive!

I looked it up here: http://www.xmradio.com/weather/grd_service_pricing.html $99/month. :ar15:

 

[Scenic WonderRunner]

Very Kewl BT...........

Although you really can kind of feel it, when the booming storms are coming......

I like the early Warning System!

If you have ever been in one of these storms.....you could really appreciate this!


....although MY..... "early warning system".......is my hair standing on end!.......hehe....:elkgrin:

 

[flywgn]

Hey, you mean there's some wx gadget that I haven't heard about???? Is this something that I can integrate with Motosat (still using it since our cable provider is balking at extending cable)???

My "lightning sensor" has been a portable radio for years. When transistor radios first came out--yeah, I know, most of you guys and gals weren't even smiles in your parents' eyes--I thought that was way cool.

I'd take (still do) the radio, put it into my fly-fishing vest pocket, tune it to a low AM freq where there were no stations and monitor the air. When the static of the lightning became louder and more frequent, I'd finally vacate that good hole where the big brown trout was lying.

One day not too many years ago, I was on (in) the Pecos River in NM with an approaching T-storm. There was a big trout feeding on flies that were not mine and I was concentrating hard on presentation (a bit of wind behind me) when a F&G guy stopped on the road parallel to the stream. Thinking he was checking licenses I pointed to mine clipped in plain sight to my vest. I couldn't hear what he was shouting over the din of the thunderclaps and the constant static on my radio, so he motioned for me to wade to the bank.

I mean, what was this guy thinking? He could see that fish. He could see that my license was valid (color-coded).

"Sir," he said politely as I stepped onto the bank, "I see that's a graphite rod you're using. (BIG thunderclap) That's a great lightning rod you've got there."

I spent the remainder of the storm in the car just hoping that Mr. Trout would still be feeding after the T-storm.

Do you think XM WX would have helped?

 

[mountainpete]

Do you think XM WX would have helped?

Trout only care about the cost and brand of your rod, waders and vest. They aren't particularily fond of electronic gadets.

 

[flywgn]

Trout only care about the cost and brand of your rod, waders and vest. They aren't particularily fond of electronic gadets.

:xxrotflma

Allen

 

[BajaTaco]

********!! flywgn always has a good story Too funny with the reply Pete :xxrotflma

SWR, I would consider standing hairs anything but "early" warning But you have a point. This is definitely fun just for the gadget factor. Any outdoorsman worth his salt should be able to keep an eye on ma' nature enough to know when the sheets going to hit the fan

But just imagine... being out in the boonies... and getting to watch those babies 300 miles away on a digital map! ...and see where they are headed... that is just sooo cool!

 

[Scenic WonderRunner]

I agree...........!

It IS...........very Kewl.............

Thats............Kewl...........ya know!

............hehe...........:tent:

 

[flyingwil]

Any pilots out there know it is a simplified ADF... Basically similar to Allen's story!

Cool find Chris!