Boltek's StormTracker uses state-of-the-art technology to make real-time lightning detection affordable. How does the StormTracker work? The StormTracker is an add-on to your IBM PC or compatible computer allowing you to not only tell if lightning is near but see where it is. StormTracker detects lightning strikes up to 300 miles away and plots them in real time on a map of your area.
With StormTracker you are actually detecting the lightning strikes themselves. There are no on-line or recurring charges of any kind. StormTracker has two built-in alarms. The Close Storm Alarm will activate if a thunderstorm is detected closer than a preset distance. The Severe Thunderstorm Alarm activates if the number of lightning strikes per minute exceeds a preset limit.
All lightning strike data is logged to your computers hard disk to allowing you to replay past events or continuous looping of current data. Now there is no more guessing if the storm is heading your way as with audible warning type systems. You can instantly see where the storm is and in which direction it is heading.
* Detect if lightning is in your area.
* Receive early warning of approaching or developing storms.
* Configurable Severe Storm and Close Storm Alarms.
* Determine from which direction the approaching storm is coming.
* Follow developing and decaying storms from first strike to last.
* Save all data for future analysis
StormTracker works by detecting the radio signals produced by lightning. These are the same signals you can hear on an AM radio during a thunderstorm. StormTracker's direction-finding antenna provides direction information while storm distance is calculated from received signal strength. Special processing in software reduces the effects of strike-to-strike energy variations providing more accurate distance information.
StormTracker's antenna is a small black box (3x2x1-1/2) which may be mounted indoors (in a wood framed house for example) or outdoors. The antenna is typically mounted ten to twenty feet above the ground, away from large metal objects and sources of electrical noise such as televisions and computer monitors.
StormTracker includes 50 feet of antenna cable. Additional cable may be ordered, up to 200 feet total cable length.
StormTracker includes software for Windows 98/95, 3.1 and MS-DOS. StormTracker can be run in the background under Windows or on a dedicated computer using the MS-DOS software. Running under MS-DOS, an older slower computer (386, 486) can provide acceptable performance.