Lightning Detection for Gigs..

[mixedgas]

Those of you who do outdoor shows will love this:

http://en.blitzortung.org/live_light...aps.php?map=30

Version with Zoom...

https://www.lightningmaps.org/#y=41;...d=2;dl=2;dc=0;

Doppler Weather radar is always six minutes behind, because of the slow 3D scan pattern at the antenna. The "computer enhancement" of a Government WSR-88, makes it hard to read, compared to a old fashioned PPI Weather Radar. The private TV station radars are always programmed to make a small shower look like World War III. Thus I like the lightning monitor because it gives me a better gauge of the storm's energy and threat to equipment/audience.

Steve

[kecked]

I use a kite or launch rockets outside to drain the charge away. I hear salted popcorn can work well too.

[Diachi]

Pretty interesting to look at even if you don't do outdoor shows. One of the radio club members here recently got a node up and running in order to improve accuracy up in this region. Would be nice if we could get a couple more running at some point... I've heard the accuracy of the maps is incredible though - sure I read a forum post somewhere that said they noticed accuracy within a few 10s to a few 100s of meters. I've been checking frequently to see if there is lightning in the area - big cause of wild fires up here and I'm hoping we don't get another bad season - 2014 was horrendous. So far this year has been really dry and the real warm weather just started up over the last couple weeks.

[CountFunkula]

This is very cool! I think I may end up using it on a daily basis simply because there's just so much lightning in central Florida. In fact, its starting to storm right now and as I watch the map, even the "thunder wave" seems pretty accurate. Thanks for posting this, Steve!