Using the amplifier only

[piotreeek]

Hi,

I'm an electronic hobbyist, owning a small weather logger. I just came across the whole documentation of the project and I guess it too expensive for me to establish my own station.
However, I'd like to, at least be able to log the strikes, so I was wondering whether it is possible to use only the antenna and the amplifier and connect its outputs to my 1wire impulse meter via an analog comparator.
The main problem is - will it work without the main board?

I know that the op-amps are digitally or manually controlled through atmega8. What will happen if I don't connect the main board, just assemble the aplifier one. Will it able me to control the amplification manually?

[Jonathan.Williams]

Hi,

I'm an electronic hobbyist, owning a small weather logger. I just came across the whole documentation of the project and I guess it too expensive for me to establish my own station.
However, I'd like to, at least be able to log the strikes, so I was wondering whether it is possible to use only the antenna and the amplifier and connect its outputs to my 1wire impulse meter via an analog comparator.
The main problem is - will it work without the main board?

I know that the op-amps are digitally or manually controlled through atmega8. What will happen if I don't connect the main board, just assemble the aplifier one. Will it able me to control the amplification manually?

Amplifier gain is also settable via an on board potentiometer.

[cutty]

And why would you prefer to not contribute to network????
There are hundreds of ways to receive lightning data... you can take your pick... but Blitzortung works when all receivers also contribute.
Mike

[piotreeek]

And why would you prefer to not contribute to network????

because I can't afford to set up a fully operational station

Amplifier gain is also settable via an on board potentiometer.

Yes, I know. But, as i have written, I have a concern - will it work alone? Without the mainboard?

[RichoAnd]

In this forum we discuss lightning reception with Blitzortung.org's equipment and Blitzortungs way to do it., But I choose to respond anyway.

It is the sledgehammer to crack a nut - google "lightning detector alarms" and find a small circuit.
You can measure electrical noise over a given value, and maybe it's a lightning bolt in a radius of 0-2500km
In other words - the good results obtained in a network with other participants
Historically, they used an amplifier, a trigger and an electrical / mechanical counter - since they got real detectors, it was realized that they were not good

[piotreeek]

Thank you for your reply,

I wanted to bulits this circut as it allows to control the gain and it would be possible to fine-tune it to detectr strikes in, let's say, 50km-radius. However, now you gave me second thoughts and I'll reconsider joining the network

[Ross.Wheeler]

Thank you for your reply,

I wanted to bulits this circut as it allows to control the gain and it would be possible to fine-tune it to detectr strikes in, let's say, 50km-radius. However, now you gave me second thoughts and I'll reconsider joining the network

Detecting lightning within a certain radius of a location, with a single receiver, is almost impossible.
Lightning strikes are of various intensities. Some are small, (relatively) low current discharges, others are massive discharges which produce very powerful radio frequency signals.

How a single point station can possibly discriminate between the two eludes me. It clealy also eludes a great many other technical minds!

The only two ways I know of require a significant number of stations operating co-operatively.
Method 1 requires each station to use two antennas and to produce a direction and time. Somewhere, these directions (and time signatures) are merged to determine where the strike was.
Method 2 requires each station to precisely time-stamp the signal, and a co-operative system that analyses the signals to work out where the source must have been to satisfy all the measured signals.

Method 2 is what Blitzortung uses - a "Time-of-Arival" (TOR) system. It is simple in concept but complex in implementation and requires a significant investment in hardware and processing power.

A simple receiver plus threshold detector may tell you that there is lightning "somewhere within the receiving area", that area may be several thousand miles, and without discrimination, will almost certainly count every electrical circuit opening or closing, every arcing contact, every breaking down insulator, withing a great distance from your (single) receiver.

[DelandeC]

And how do the Bolteks work?

[weatherc]

Detecting lightning within a certain radius of a location, with a single receiver, is almost impossible.

Lie!
Boltek's are single receiver's, and for beeing that and taking that in act, damn accurate if they are calibrated correctly
Not accurate as BO but one can't compare apples with oranges either, BO and Boltek works in totally different way.

// Henkka

[cutty]

Detecting lightning within a certain radius of a location, with a single receiver, is almost impossible.

Lie!
Boltek's are single receiver's, and for beeing that and taking that in act, damn accurate if they are calibrated correctly
Not accurate as BO but one can't compare apples with oranges either, BO and Boltek works in totally different way.

// Henkka

Also there's quite a price difference, and I'd sure claim more friends worldwide with similar interests in Blitzortung! And BO is non-commercial, and not chasing the almighty dollar (Euro, Peso, Pound, Lira, etc)... perhaps the only negative to BO is a set of overworked, well respected developers, who are taking a well deserved vacation at the moment, from a 'spring time' of unexpected publicity and product requests... . What a year 2015 will be!