Hello,
I'm a Tableau enthusiast interested in building a lightning map/dashboard.
I admire the Blitzortung project and would like to ask whether there is any approved way to access lightning strike data for a non-commercial visualization project. My intention is to use it to practice geospatial storytelling and data visualization.
If allowed, I can share the finished visualization on my Tableau Public profile, with full credit: public.tableau.com/app/profile/dorian.barosan
Please let me know whether this type of use is permitted and what the correct process would be.
Thank you!

Hi everyone,

I’ve been exploring how lightning detection systems work and wanted to share a simple DIY approach for beginners who are interested in experimenting with electromagnetic detection and real-time monitoring.

How Lightning Detection Works (Basic Idea)

Lightning strikes generate electromagnetic pulses (EMP) across a wide frequency range. These signals can be captured using:

• RF antennas
  
• Signal amplification circuits
  
• Microcontrollers for processing
  

• A microcontroller (like Arduino or Raspberry Pi)
  
• RF receiver module or lightning sensor module
  
• Antenna (simple wire antenna works for testing)
  
• Optional: OLED/LCD display for output
  
• Power supply + basic passive components
  

1. Capture electromagnetic signals using the antenna
   
2. Feed the signal into an RF module or detection circuit
   
3. Process the signal using a microcontroller
   
4. Display or log the detected activity
   

• Logging data to a cloud platform
  
• Adding GPS for location-based tracking
  
• Integrating with weather APIs
  
• Building a network of detectors for triangulation
  

• Filtering noise from real lightning signals
  
• Improving detection range and accuracy
  
• Handling interference from nearby electronics
  

We are attempting to bring online a detector in a fairly underserved region of the world.  As far as I know it would be at least 1000 miles from the nearest detector.  I'm interested in how this would affect the quality of measurement accuracy in the region.

Can someone point me in the direction of:

• Where (geographically) would you expect the greatest improvement of accuracy (closer to the new detector)?
  
• Is there an explicit measure of error that would be expected to improve and where in the dataset would I find that?
  

Hello,
I am a new user, and I messaged a forum member asking for information about a unit they have for sale.  They are receiving my messages, but I cannot see how to view messages to me.  I don't see any messages in my control panel.  So how do I view messages to me?

Thanks!

Hi, I recently received my system blue detector, and I was trying to get it up and running with the simplest antenna configuration.  I think that is a meter long wire to use as an E-Field antenna, correct?  But upon closer inspection, the rev of System Blue that I have only has a connection for the H-Field preamp connection.  Is it not possible to connect an E-field antenna?

For the last 3 days, my green pcb does not show on the server, somehow it disappeared from my account also.

I do have some interference from a solar inverter during the day, but the station was working ok.

Station 18, green pcb 6.8
Thank you.

Attached Files

Thumbnail(s)
   

Hi Guys,

Looks like my p/s for my system blue is starting to die as it's only putting out 4v. I was going to get another powerstream one (https://www.powerstream.com/AC-1898.htm), but I'm not going to pay $70US (!) for postage to Australia.
So, can any Aussies on here point me to some alternatives??

Thanks,

John (Gorzzz)

Some of my Windows PCs (not all) have problems displaying the live lightning maps in Chrome. The window appears normally for a fraction of a second, and then is greyed-out and cannot be controlled.  I can see through the "grey fog" that the page is working (ie lightning strikes being displayed).

Refreshing the screen just repeats the situation.

Edge displays the map correctly.

Blitzortung cookies are present. If I delete them, they get re-created when I open the page again - but unlike other PCs (where the maps display correctly), I am not asked to accept cookies.

Hello, I'd like to clarify some information to be sure.

I looked at a project on github.com that uses WebSocket. I was able to get it running and receive thunderstorm marker data on the map.

To avoid overhead, I saved the history in localStorage, meaning new data is stored temporarily while the delay occurs.

Can I use WebSocket in an app?

Naturally, I'm specifying blitzortung.org to make it clear.

My goal is weather, precipitation, and markers. I know this is just for fun and not 100% accurate.

I need to downsize and as it won't be so easy for me to erect the E-field detector, it's reluctantly time to sell my System Blue. The kit's been working for several years without incident. I gather System Blue Classics are currently out of stock so this is a good opportunity for someone who's waiting for one.

The kit is fully assembled and comes with 2 matched, original Blitzortung ferrites and a GPS antenna.  All you will need to get it working are the connecting leads and a 5V power supply.

The price is €300 + the cost of postage from NSW Australia.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to let me know. Edit: 'Please include your email address so I can reply.'

   
€€