Hi All - newbie from Ireland here,

I'm interested in purchasing the kit for lightning detection. I currently have the Boltek and Nexstorm for the last few years but I'm not overly impressed with its accuracy and feel that it's time for a change, so I have a few questions:

Is there somewhere that sells the kit "ready made"?
Are there recommended guidelines for locating the detector?
Is there a USB connection for PC?

Any information would be greatly welcomed.

laoisweather.com

Hi everybody,

I´ve tried to send an e-mail to a forum member. It constantly ends up with this notice:

You do not have permission to access this page. This could be because of one of the following reasons:

1. Your account has either been suspended or you have been banned from accessing this resource.
   
2. You do not have permission to access this page. Are you trying to access administrative pages or a resource that you shouldn't be? Check in the forum rules that you are allowed to perform this action.
   
3. Your account may still be awaiting activation or moderation. (Resend Activation Code)
   
4. You have accessed this page directly rather than using appropriate forms or link.
   

Because of the server issues, many new stations, and some older ones are not registering, or have lost registration...

If you have any problems along those lines, or your participant status hasn't updated to 'operator' on the Forum...
KEEP IT SIMPLE let's provide the developers with a quick reference for resolution....
POST
User Name for Forum
Station Number if you have one.
Region... (Europe, Asia, etc...)

Specify specific... don't enter a lot of comments... just the facts, please....
'station not listed',
Forum operator status not upgraded,.
Station Number NOT associated with my User ID...
Station WAS there, but now is missing.


Don't complain on this thread... post it elsewhere... this is for FIXING... KEEP IT SIMPLE....
THIS IS NOT for other website issues... posts outside the above format will be edited or deleted...

It seems the http://en.blitzortung.org/map_generator.php now only times-out with a 504-Gateway Time-out error message.

Could bringing that back up be added to the 'To Do' list of tasks?

Thanks in advance and best regards,
Ken

Quote:In the last few days there have been some problems with our servers. Please understand that not everything is working properly at the moment.

hello,

I am aware of the problems of the server in theses last days.

I have the station 2280. It's working fine. 
All the other stations here in Portugal are now already in the Stations list, but mine is still missing.

Do i need to do something to solve this? Or the server itsel will correct this?

Thank you!

First, it is important to know that the Blitzortung system is not a lightning detector. It is about Lightning locating, through a network of receivers. Detecting an impulse is just the first part of a highly sophisticated process.
 
If you don’t own a system and you are reading this, chances are you are considering ordering a kit or already ordered one. Ask yourself, why do I want to be part of this network?
1.      For the coolness factor.
2.      I just want one.
3.   Impress my friends on Facebook
4.      I have a real interest and willing to spend hours setting it up for optimal performance. Then spend more hours tuning it as the season changes. Annoying the family by running around like a crazy person switching of lights, TV’s and other equipment to locate a new source of noise interference. Walking around outside with an AM radio stuck to your head to locate more noise problems. Join the BO community and contribute.
 
If you choose option 4, you are in good company as we have done these things and more. You are half way there.
 
Be aware of the issues you will be facing before ordering a system otherwise you might be disappointed.
 
Before you place yourself on the waiting list, there are TWO documents you should read.  The First relates to older ‘RED’ Systems,
http://en.blitzortung.org/Compendium/Doc...1540655512
It contains valuable information about the technical aspects and about lightning location.  The Second contains specific information about the mostly assembled Current ‘BLUE’ Systems,
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1KzPZ...1540655512
 
 
Before Ordering, check on the components of a lightning strike and how the system detects it. This is a good place to start
https://forum.blitzortung.org/showthread.php?tid=2749
If you don’t understand the pictures, please post a question.
 
Now for some homework. You need to find four suitable locations to mount various components.
1.      The controller needs an Ethernet connection to the Internet.
2.      A place to mount the H-Field antennas, which connects to the controller via shielded Ethernet cable. See * below
3.      A place to mount the E-Field probe. This needs to be outside, as high as possible, away from electrical interference, and connects to the controller via dual shielded RG6 coax cable.
4.      A place to mount the GPS antenna with a clear view of the satellites. Metal roofs shield the signals.
 
*A suggestion: do a quick, basic “EM Environmental Survey” and repeat a few times, both day and night. Using an AM radio, tune it off station on the lower frequencies and walk around your house and outside. In a perfect world, you should just hear that hissing background noise. Now come close to a plasma TV, CFL bulb or idling car. Just listen to that noise. The BO system is a 1000x more sensitive than the radio and will pick up those man-made noises and drive your controller crazy. If you are out in the country, lucky you, chances are you might be ALMOST noise free, except maybe for HV electric transmission lines or (big culprit), arcing electric fences. City folks have a bigger challenge with more man-made noise. The purpose of this exercise is to find that quiet “sweet spot” with the least amount of noise, hopefully in an easily accessible place where you can mount your H-field antenna within reach of the controller. 
 
Here are possible noise sources, some which can be remedied quite simply. The caveat is that these devices operate on the same frequencies that are also the most common lightning discharge frequencies we want to receive. (3 to 30 KHz)
1.      Plasma TV’s
2.      CFL bulbs and to a lesser degree LED’s
3.      Light dimmers
4.      Shop-front florescent /‘Neon’ Light Signs
5.      Mercury vapor street lights.
6.      Electronic pet and animal fences.
7.      High voltage power lines.
8.      ELF military transmitters which can affect systems for 100’s of miles.
9.      Laptops, computers and their power supplies.
10.  Variable drive AC blower motors.
11.  Solar panel invertors
12.  Power Strip with ‘neon’ light indicator
13.  Induction Cooker
14.  Electric Sheep…from an Android Dream
15.  Electric Eels swept up and dropped by a waterspout
16.  Lightning Bugs colliding with errant drone propellers.
17.  Electric Horsemen riding a short circuit
18.  Electric Guitar with hot frets and loose G string
19.  Edward Scissorhands twiddling his thumbs
20.  A defective or cheap 5 Volt Power supply connected to your controller!
21.  And the list goes on.
More on the topic http://www.wxforum.net/index.php?topic=20439.0
 
Finally, this is NOT a plug and forget system. You must be able and willing to allocate time and effort to keep your system operating optimally and contribute to the network. This is not an attempt to scare potential operators away, but a guide to prepare you to fully engage and enjoy your new “toy” and for us to say “Welcome new operator”

Hi Friends,
I have a Blitzortung System Blue kit for sale. It is composed of the following parts:

Order List Item 1, Part name "PCB 20_3" composed of PCB 19.3b + PCB 16.1 + PCB 17.1 boards with all components (SMD components are already soldered by manufacturer).

Order List Item 3, Part name "Alu Primus" Aluminium profile housing kit (including front panel, back panel, LEDs, switch, elastic adhesive feet).

Price $395 USD. If you want it, here it is:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/123454728831

Kind regards!

I have just got my system Blue working. I have made an enclosure for the two ferrite rods. From other posts I will connect the knotted wires to the A-1 and B-1 terminals and the others to the A-2 and B-2.

The rods are 90 degrees to each other but which rod (A or B) has to point north/south? And by "point" I mean the long axis lies on the N/S line. Obviously the other will lie on E/W.

Nowhere can I find anything other than an annotated photo show the rods with E-W and N-S but it does not say which one goes to which terminal.

As we are are generating a vector of the strike direction which will be the sum of both of the rods' signals then I assume that it does matter.

I have a new system blue up and running. It is online with all green lights, an IP address and a flashing blue - hooray! I even have a station ID. But, when I use my login I an told I have a guest account so cannot change anything.

I tried to create a new user and I am told that I already exist.

Is there a problem adding my station details at the moment (27/10/2018 @ 15:47 UTC) or am I missing something. I know there is a database problem but it is not clear what is affects other than data.

The advice given when I tried to create another login was to use the "services" section but I cannot find that anywhere.