https://forum.blitzortung.org/ Mon, 13 Jul 2026 22:32:35 +0000 MyBB https://forum.blitzortung.org/showthread.php?tid=4254 Mon, 13 Jul 2026 08:00:10 +0000 SaudWeather]]> https://forum.blitzortung.org/showthread.php?tid=4254 Hello everyone. My name is Saud, and I am from Abu Arish in the Jazan Region of Saudi Arabia. I have been following the Blitzortung project for a long time, and I truly admire the work that all the volunteers have done to build this amazing global lightning detection network. I am very interested in becoming a participant and purchasing a complete System Blue station for my location. Unfortunately, there are very few active stations in Saudi Arabia, and my region in the south of the country has no nearby station coverage at all. During thunderstorms I often notice that lightning activity around my area is not detected as accurately as in regions with more stations. I would really like to help improve the network by installing a station here and keeping it online 24 hours a day with a stable internet connection and proper maintenance. I have already sent an email to the project but have not yet received a reply, so I thought I would kindly ask here in the forum. I would be grateful if someone could tell me how I can purchase a System Blue station, whether new stations are currently available, whether there is a waiting list, or if there is any other procedure I should follow. I am genuinely serious about joining the project and contributing to the lightning detection network in Saudi Arabia. Thank you very much for your time, and I appreciate any advice or guidance you can provide]]> Hello everyone. My name is Saud, and I am from Abu Arish in the Jazan Region of Saudi Arabia. I have been following the Blitzortung project for a long time, and I truly admire the work that all the volunteers have done to build this amazing global lightning detection network. I am very interested in becoming a participant and purchasing a complete System Blue station for my location. Unfortunately, there are very few active stations in Saudi Arabia, and my region in the south of the country has no nearby station coverage at all. During thunderstorms I often notice that lightning activity around my area is not detected as accurately as in regions with more stations. I would really like to help improve the network by installing a station here and keeping it online 24 hours a day with a stable internet connection and proper maintenance. I have already sent an email to the project but have not yet received a reply, so I thought I would kindly ask here in the forum. I would be grateful if someone could tell me how I can purchase a System Blue station, whether new stations are currently available, whether there is a waiting list, or if there is any other procedure I should follow. I am genuinely serious about joining the project and contributing to the lightning detection network in Saudi Arabia. Thank you very much for your time, and I appreciate any advice or guidance you can provide]]> https://forum.blitzortung.org/showthread.php?tid=4252 Fri, 10 Jul 2026 20:32:24 +0000 Mudary]]> https://forum.blitzortung.org/showthread.php?tid=4252 Thank you, Mudary.]]> Thank you, Mudary.]]> https://forum.blitzortung.org/showthread.php?tid=4251 Wed, 08 Jul 2026 05:41:46 +0000 jamescaseleal]]> https://forum.blitzortung.org/showthread.php?tid=4251 I’m an artist and Assistant Professor of Art & Digital Media at Marist University, NY USA. I’m developing a free, non-commercial web artwork based on my ongoing interest in lightning as a subject matter.

I’d like to ask whether limited use of Blitzortung live lightning data could be authorized as a trigger source for the artwork. This would not be a weather app, lightning map, alert system, forecast, or safety tool. Lightning events would simply trigger sound, flashes, particles, movement, and image/video transformations in the piece.
Quick profile:

• Non-commercial / academic artwork.
  
• Free to access, no ads, no paid tier.
  
• Data used only as artistic triggers.
  
• No warnings, forecasts, risk scores, or safety decisions.
  
• Minimal data only: time, latitude/longitude, event ID, and intensity/quality if available.
  
• Clear attribution: “Lightning data by Blitzortung.org and contributors.”
  
• Happy to use a backend/proxy, caching, rate limits, or any approved access method you require.
  
• No scraping, bypassing authentication, or undocumented access.
  
  

I’ve attached a few images from the lightning painting project for context.

Would this kind of use be acceptable?

Thanks — the Blitzortung project is remarkable.

James Case-Leal


]]> I’m an artist and Assistant Professor of Art & Digital Media at Marist University, NY USA. I’m developing a free, non-commercial web artwork based on my ongoing interest in lightning as a subject matter.

I’d like to ask whether limited use of Blitzortung live lightning data could be authorized as a trigger source for the artwork. This would not be a weather app, lightning map, alert system, forecast, or safety tool. Lightning events would simply trigger sound, flashes, particles, movement, and image/video transformations in the piece.
Quick profile:

• Non-commercial / academic artwork.
  
• Free to access, no ads, no paid tier.
  
• Data used only as artistic triggers.
  
• No warnings, forecasts, risk scores, or safety decisions.
  
• Minimal data only: time, latitude/longitude, event ID, and intensity/quality if available.
  
• Clear attribution: “Lightning data by Blitzortung.org and contributors.”
  
• Happy to use a backend/proxy, caching, rate limits, or any approved access method you require.
  
• No scraping, bypassing authentication, or undocumented access.
  
  

I’ve attached a few images from the lightning painting project for context.

Would this kind of use be acceptable?

Thanks — the Blitzortung project is remarkable.

James Case-Leal


]]> https://forum.blitzortung.org/showthread.php?tid=4249 Fri, 03 Jul 2026 13:57:04 +0000 BenCos18]]> https://forum.blitzortung.org/showthread.php?tid=4249
I'm not 100% sure on what parts/ what model is best for my area really so I'm wondering if I can get some advice in that regard, I'm used to soldering and that sort of stuff so that's not a problem just what hardware I need is what I'm not sure on/ or if it's best to just order the bare pcbs myself and that sort of stuff?

I'm based in Co Galway on the Ardrahan side.

I don't mind spending more on the more expensive model if it's worth it though.

thanks]]>
I'm not 100% sure on what parts/ what model is best for my area really so I'm wondering if I can get some advice in that regard, I'm used to soldering and that sort of stuff so that's not a problem just what hardware I need is what I'm not sure on/ or if it's best to just order the bare pcbs myself and that sort of stuff?

I'm based in Co Galway on the Ardrahan side.

I don't mind spending more on the more expensive model if it's worth it though.

thanks]]> https://forum.blitzortung.org/showthread.php?tid=4247 Thu, 02 Jul 2026 12:23:57 +0000 MorganC]]> https://forum.blitzortung.org/showthread.php?tid=4247
I am the developer of Urgences, a French iOS emergency-assistance app.

I would like to ask whether a limited use of Blitzortung data could be authorized for a free safety-prevention feature.

Urgences already shows official thunderstorm alerts. When a user opens one of these alerts, I would like to show a small visual indication of recent lightning activity near the affected area, alongside practical safety advice.

This would not be a standalone lightning map, weather app, or alerting system.

More specifically:

• Blitzortung data would never trigger warnings, push notifications, risk scores, or emergency decisions;
  
• it would not be used to predict lightning or indicate that an area is safe;
  
• the feature would be free for all users and not behind the optional Urgences+ subscription;
  
• it would only appear inside an already-opened official thunderstorm alert;
  
• Blitzortung.org would be clearly credited;
  
• data would be retrieved through our own intermediary server;
  
• I would comply with any attribution, caching, licensing, and technical requirements.
  

I understand that Blitzortung does not allow storm warning systems or simple copies of existing visualizations. The intended use would only be a small contextual element inside a free prevention screen, intended to help users take shelter and follow appropriate safety advice.

Would this be acceptable? If needed, could you please indicate the correct way to contact Egon or request authorization?

Thank you.


  urgences-app-iPhone-screen-27.jpg (Size: 335.18 KB / Downloads: 4) ]]>
I am the developer of Urgences, a French iOS emergency-assistance app.

I would like to ask whether a limited use of Blitzortung data could be authorized for a free safety-prevention feature.

Urgences already shows official thunderstorm alerts. When a user opens one of these alerts, I would like to show a small visual indication of recent lightning activity near the affected area, alongside practical safety advice.

This would not be a standalone lightning map, weather app, or alerting system.

More specifically:

• Blitzortung data would never trigger warnings, push notifications, risk scores, or emergency decisions;
  
• it would not be used to predict lightning or indicate that an area is safe;
  
• the feature would be free for all users and not behind the optional Urgences+ subscription;
  
• it would only appear inside an already-opened official thunderstorm alert;
  
• Blitzortung.org would be clearly credited;
  
• data would be retrieved through our own intermediary server;
  
• I would comply with any attribution, caching, licensing, and technical requirements.
  

I understand that Blitzortung does not allow storm warning systems or simple copies of existing visualizations. The intended use would only be a small contextual element inside a free prevention screen, intended to help users take shelter and follow appropriate safety advice.

Would this be acceptable? If needed, could you please indicate the correct way to contact Egon or request authorization?

Thank you.


  urgences-app-iPhone-screen-27.jpg (Size: 335.18 KB / Downloads: 4) ]]> https://forum.blitzortung.org/showthread.php?tid=4250 Wed, 01 Jul 2026 22:46:53 +0000 Mazufa]]> https://forum.blitzortung.org/showthread.php?tid=4250

My name is Matias and I live in Evijärvi, South Ostrobothnia, Finland.

I have been interested in the Blitzortung project for a long time and I would really like to become part of this amazing community by installing a lightning detection station at my home.

The station would be located in Evijärvi, South Ostrobothnia, Finland, and I hope it could help improve the lightning detection coverage in this part of the country.

I already operate an Ambient Weather WS-2000 weather station and I would like to complement it by contributing real lightning detection data to the Blitzortung network.

However, I have a few questions.

When I visit the "Cover Your Area" page, I cannot find the application or registration button that is mentioned in older documentation and forum posts. Has the application process changed, or is there another way to join the project?

I would also like to know how new participants currently obtain the hardware.

My first choice would be to purchase a complete, fully assembled and tested Blitzortung lightning detector that is compatible with the project. If this is possible, I would be very interested in buying one.

If complete stations are no longer available, I would gladly build one myself.

In that case, I would appreciate advice on the following:

• Where can I order all the required electronic components?
• Where can I obtain the official PCB files?
• Which PCB manufacturer would you recommend? I live in Finland, so recommendations for reliable European suppliers would be appreciated.
• Has anyone had good experiences with manufacturers such as PCBWay, JLCPCB or Aisler?

I am willing to invest both time and money into building a reliable station because I would like to contribute to the Blitzortung network for many years.

Thank you very much for your time. I look forward to becoming a member of the Blitzortung community.

Best regards,

Matias
Evijärvi, South Ostrobothnia
Finland]]>

My name is Matias and I live in Evijärvi, South Ostrobothnia, Finland.

I have been interested in the Blitzortung project for a long time and I would really like to become part of this amazing community by installing a lightning detection station at my home.

The station would be located in Evijärvi, South Ostrobothnia, Finland, and I hope it could help improve the lightning detection coverage in this part of the country.

I already operate an Ambient Weather WS-2000 weather station and I would like to complement it by contributing real lightning detection data to the Blitzortung network.

However, I have a few questions.

When I visit the "Cover Your Area" page, I cannot find the application or registration button that is mentioned in older documentation and forum posts. Has the application process changed, or is there another way to join the project?

I would also like to know how new participants currently obtain the hardware.

My first choice would be to purchase a complete, fully assembled and tested Blitzortung lightning detector that is compatible with the project. If this is possible, I would be very interested in buying one.

If complete stations are no longer available, I would gladly build one myself.

In that case, I would appreciate advice on the following:

• Where can I order all the required electronic components?
• Where can I obtain the official PCB files?
• Which PCB manufacturer would you recommend? I live in Finland, so recommendations for reliable European suppliers would be appreciated.
• Has anyone had good experiences with manufacturers such as PCBWay, JLCPCB or Aisler?

I am willing to invest both time and money into building a reliable station because I would like to contribute to the Blitzortung network for many years.

Thank you very much for your time. I look forward to becoming a member of the Blitzortung community.

Best regards,

Matias
Evijärvi, South Ostrobothnia
Finland]]> https://forum.blitzortung.org/showthread.php?tid=4244 Wed, 01 Jul 2026 15:25:16 +0000 kaileyketchum]]> https://forum.blitzortung.org/showthread.php?tid=4244 I'm a web developer, and one of the projects I maintain is a geometrry dash community website with guides and interactive features. As part of improving my development skills, I've been experimenting with different types of real-time data integrations, and Blitzortung is one of the most interesting projects I've come across.
For anyone who has integrated Blitzortung data into a custom website or web application, what approach would you recommend? I'm interested in learning about the best way to retrieve and display the data while keeping performance and bandwidth usage reasonable.
Are there any common pitfalls, caching strategies, or implementation tips that you wish you'd known before getting started? I'd also be interested in hearing how you've structured your applications around Blitzortung data.
I'd appreciate any advice or examples from your own experience. Thanks!]]> I'm a web developer, and one of the projects I maintain is a geometrry dash community website with guides and interactive features. As part of improving my development skills, I've been experimenting with different types of real-time data integrations, and Blitzortung is one of the most interesting projects I've come across.
For anyone who has integrated Blitzortung data into a custom website or web application, what approach would you recommend? I'm interested in learning about the best way to retrieve and display the data while keeping performance and bandwidth usage reasonable.
Are there any common pitfalls, caching strategies, or implementation tips that you wish you'd known before getting started? I'd also be interested in hearing how you've structured your applications around Blitzortung data.
I'd appreciate any advice or examples from your own experience. Thanks!]]> https://forum.blitzortung.org/showthread.php?tid=4243 Sat, 27 Jun 2026 21:35:42 +0000 dd1sb]]> https://forum.blitzortung.org/showthread.php?tid=4243
with my last PCB order i decided to add the System Blue Basic 22.2b with Piggyback 22.2c and Preamp 23.1.
Adding the official partlist from the directory to my last Digikey order worked like a charm.

Except one thing: the throughole components are not in there  All of them are more or less easy to identify on the pictures, but i got one simple problem.

Which quarz oscillators 8 / 25MHz do i have to use - the CL (or Belastungskapazität) on the board is 10pF, everything else results in a slightly lower or higher frequency. What about the capacity of the tracks etc., do i have to pay attention at them?
That would lead to a quarz with a CL > 10pF

As the system should be used for participation later on, i'd like to have all values as close as possible to the "detector kit".

I'd also buy a "throughole component kit" (as seen on the picture on limaps org hardware ) if that is the easier way

Cheers, 73 & 77 de Stefan, DD1SB]]>
with my last PCB order i decided to add the System Blue Basic 22.2b with Piggyback 22.2c and Preamp 23.1.
Adding the official partlist from the directory to my last Digikey order worked like a charm.

Except one thing: the throughole components are not in there  All of them are more or less easy to identify on the pictures, but i got one simple problem.

Which quarz oscillators 8 / 25MHz do i have to use - the CL (or Belastungskapazität) on the board is 10pF, everything else results in a slightly lower or higher frequency. What about the capacity of the tracks etc., do i have to pay attention at them?
That would lead to a quarz with a CL > 10pF

As the system should be used for participation later on, i'd like to have all values as close as possible to the "detector kit".

I'd also buy a "throughole component kit" (as seen on the picture on limaps org hardware ) if that is the easier way

Cheers, 73 & 77 de Stefan, DD1SB]]> https://forum.blitzortung.org/showthread.php?tid=4238 Sun, 14 Jun 2026 18:17:33 +0000 GeezerD]]> https://forum.blitzortung.org/showthread.php?tid=4238
I saw a sudden flash to the east, clearly a ground strike, and counted seconds, ending up at about 25. Going into the house, there were new strikes detected at the same bearing and distance that I estimate for the strike that I observed.

Fun!]]>
I saw a sudden flash to the east, clearly a ground strike, and counted seconds, ending up at about 25. Going into the house, there were new strikes detected at the same bearing and distance that I estimate for the strike that I observed.

Fun!]]> https://forum.blitzortung.org/showthread.php?tid=4236 Tue, 09 Jun 2026 09:59:05 +0000 ikatsi]]> https://forum.blitzortung.org/showthread.php?tid=4236
In the absence of freely available radar data for Greece, I've developed and run an app showing where it's currently raining/snowing in the country based on real rainfall intensity observations, as well as extrapolated snowfall areas (just saw that I can't post a link here, but here's the current screenshot):

[attachment=5240]

The next natural step for me is to add lightning data to the map. I've already emailed Egon but i know he receives plenty of messages already.  What is the recommended course of action from my side, please? The page is free to use.

Thank you!]]>
In the absence of freely available radar data for Greece, I've developed and run an app showing where it's currently raining/snowing in the country based on real rainfall intensity observations, as well as extrapolated snowfall areas (just saw that I can't post a link here, but here's the current screenshot):

[attachment=5240]

The next natural step for me is to add lightning data to the map. I've already emailed Egon but i know he receives plenty of messages already.  What is the recommended course of action from my side, please? The page is free to use.

Thank you!]]> https://forum.blitzortung.org/showthread.php?tid=4233 Fri, 29 May 2026 21:00:51 +0000 Stormchaser80]]> https://forum.blitzortung.org/showthread.php?tid=4233
I am a meteorologist who has zero DIY skills, zero electrical or solder background. 

Can someone concisely tell me the different pieces of equipment needed, and whether or not I can purchase each fully produced? I am disabled and do the best I can. I am willing to pay a premium to have a plug and play solution. 

Thank You!
Steve]]>
I am a meteorologist who has zero DIY skills, zero electrical or solder background. 

Can someone concisely tell me the different pieces of equipment needed, and whether or not I can purchase each fully produced? I am disabled and do the best I can. I am willing to pay a premium to have a plug and play solution. 

Thank You!
Steve]]> https://forum.blitzortung.org/showthread.php?tid=4232 Fri, 29 May 2026 16:08:54 +0000 isitwindy]]> https://forum.blitzortung.org/showthread.php?tid=4232
I sent a registration / data access request via email a while back and haven't heard back — wanted to flag it here in case the forum is a better channel, and in case anyone with context can point me to the right next step.

What I'm building: IsItWindy.com, a free, ad-free pre-flight weather dashboard for hot-air balloon pilots. The lightning widget would show nearby Blitzortung-sourced strikes on a small map alongside winds aloft, METAR/TAF, and the rest of the pre-flight picture. Strictly advisory — the page already carries a disclaimer that the dashboard is one tool among many and not a substitute for an official briefing.

Quick profile:

Non-commercial. Free to users, no ads, no paid lightning tier.
Server-side only. Credentials stay on the backend; no scraping, no re-serving as our own.
Light load — polling scoped to the user's location, cached.
Attribution: every lightning view will show "Data: Blitzortung.org / LightningMaps.org" with a link back.
I'm a commercial balloon pilot myself in Phoenix, AZ — happy to look at running a station here if it would help the network in this corner of the country.
If there's a registration form I missed or a different channel I should be using, please point me at it and I'll get it sorted today.

Thanks — the Blitzortung community project is remarkable.]]>
I sent a registration / data access request via email a while back and haven't heard back — wanted to flag it here in case the forum is a better channel, and in case anyone with context can point me to the right next step.

What I'm building: IsItWindy.com, a free, ad-free pre-flight weather dashboard for hot-air balloon pilots. The lightning widget would show nearby Blitzortung-sourced strikes on a small map alongside winds aloft, METAR/TAF, and the rest of the pre-flight picture. Strictly advisory — the page already carries a disclaimer that the dashboard is one tool among many and not a substitute for an official briefing.

Quick profile:

Non-commercial. Free to users, no ads, no paid lightning tier.
Server-side only. Credentials stay on the backend; no scraping, no re-serving as our own.
Light load — polling scoped to the user's location, cached.
Attribution: every lightning view will show "Data: Blitzortung.org / LightningMaps.org" with a link back.
I'm a commercial balloon pilot myself in Phoenix, AZ — happy to look at running a station here if it would help the network in this corner of the country.
If there's a registration form I missed or a different channel I should be using, please point me at it and I'll get it sorted today.

Thanks — the Blitzortung community project is remarkable.]]> https://forum.blitzortung.org/showthread.php?tid=4230 Thu, 21 May 2026 13:36:03 +0000 SchwabTh]]> https://forum.blitzortung.org/showthread.php?tid=4230
When I select the Realtime Maps tab the window that comes up shows detectors and vectors but there no longer are any MAPS in the background.

Is there a fix for this?

https://www.blitzortung.org/en/live_ligh...php?map=30]]>
When I select the Realtime Maps tab the window that comes up shows detectors and vectors but there no longer are any MAPS in the background.

Is there a fix for this?

https://www.blitzortung.org/en/live_ligh...php?map=30]]> https://forum.blitzortung.org/showthread.php?tid=4228 Fri, 15 May 2026 11:06:37 +0000 Karri]]> https://forum.blitzortung.org/showthread.php?tid=4228
Tried to search this forum with all the relevant keywords but could not find this to have been discussed. Sorry in advance if I'm mistaken.

I am writing software to fetch the recent strikes as per documentation, and while everything else seems to work perfectly, the "time" parameter in the URL seems to be ignored.

/Data/Protected/last_strikes.php?time=1778840631155816319&number=30000&west=10&east=40&north=70&south=50&sig=0

done at time 1778840931155816319 (i.e. the request limit is 5 min earlier) results in response containing (as last record, there were 1188 records, so the "number" parameter did not limit anything either)

{"time":1778827480863817500,"lat":60.535376,"lon":33.547539,"alt":0,"pol":0,"mds":14367,"mcg":242,"status":0,"region":1}

Here are the times again with a fixed width font and a space separating seconds from nanoseconds
REQUEST:           1778840631 155816319
REQUEST DONE AT:   1778840931 155816319
RESPONSE:          1778827480 863817500

So the record is almost 4 hours old. I can easily filter those out, but just wondering whether there is a bug or I just do not understand something here. Likely the latter.

Also, the documentation states that the default value of the "time" is "current time stamp", which cannot possibly be true? Wouldn't that filter out all the strikes automatically (and by default!)?

Anyway, being new to this project and community, I have to say that I am deeply impressed by the quality of everything. Especially I love the no-nonsense diagnostic page of the station!]]>
Tried to search this forum with all the relevant keywords but could not find this to have been discussed. Sorry in advance if I'm mistaken.

I am writing software to fetch the recent strikes as per documentation, and while everything else seems to work perfectly, the "time" parameter in the URL seems to be ignored.

/Data/Protected/last_strikes.php?time=1778840631155816319&number=30000&west=10&east=40&north=70&south=50&sig=0

done at time 1778840931155816319 (i.e. the request limit is 5 min earlier) results in response containing (as last record, there were 1188 records, so the "number" parameter did not limit anything either)

{"time":1778827480863817500,"lat":60.535376,"lon":33.547539,"alt":0,"pol":0,"mds":14367,"mcg":242,"status":0,"region":1}

Here are the times again with a fixed width font and a space separating seconds from nanoseconds
REQUEST:           1778840631 155816319
REQUEST DONE AT:   1778840931 155816319
RESPONSE:          1778827480 863817500

So the record is almost 4 hours old. I can easily filter those out, but just wondering whether there is a bug or I just do not understand something here. Likely the latter.

Also, the documentation states that the default value of the "time" is "current time stamp", which cannot possibly be true? Wouldn't that filter out all the strikes automatically (and by default!)?

Anyway, being new to this project and community, I have to say that I am deeply impressed by the quality of everything. Especially I love the no-nonsense diagnostic page of the station!]]> https://forum.blitzortung.org/showthread.php?tid=4225 Mon, 11 May 2026 12:43:03 +0000 NWStwisterman]]> https://forum.blitzortung.org/showthread.php?tid=4225