Lightning Detection - Spark Compact Lightning Explorer for your Smartphone

Astrogenic's SPARK Compact Lightning eXplorer software is a Java MIDlet for MIDP 2.0 & CLDC 1.1 mobile devices. SPARK.CLX is available free, enabling your mobile phone or smartphone to track lightning activity using data from our Boltek lightning detector.
Your device must be Java MIDP 2.0 or CLDC 1.1 capable, and at least a 128x128 pixel display. A 3G or EVDO based data package on the mobile device is necessary to view live data. For full information on the SPARK software midlet, how to install it, and a list of known compatible devices visit Astrogenic's SPARK webpage.
Once you install the software, you'll need to configure it. The first time you run SPARK, you'll be offered a set of button options, select Links. Then an action button option will be available, select it. Pick add, and enter the following URL: http://www.aprsfl.net/weather/lightning/spark ... After entering the url, select actions again, and then connect. You'll have to authorize SPARK to use air time. Once you do, you're all set.

Astrogenic's Nexstorm lightning display and analysis software is what powers the Spark Data.
Our sensor is in New Port Richey, Florida at 28.15.55N 82.41.20W around 20ft AGL.
The hardware we use is a Boltek LD-250 Lightning Detection System. The LD-250 model does not provide strike classification, so all strikes seen will appear as negative cloud to ground hits.

Some details about the hardware that powers this system and its installation...
LD250 brain box: Processes strikes heard by the sensor antenna and processes that information into a usable stream of serial data. We use a Lantronix WiBox to get this serial data from a location away from any electrical generated noise in our back yard to the server running Nexstorm over 300ft away. This also provides for isolation, with the antenna being 20ft in the air. The LD250 and WiBox are actually solar & battery powered.	GPS Antenna: Receives time from the atomic clocks on the GPS satellites giving accurate time stamps of the strikes heard for StrikeStar.	Sensor Antenna: Listens for broadband noise, the same heard on AM radio during a storm. This dual loop antenna is essentially a direction finder.	Our Installation: This shows our home brewed PVC pipe antenna mount & protector. It's painted light brown to blend in with rest of the back yard.

Some very important lightning facts that you may not know...

If you can see it or hear it, lightning can hit you. Find shelter now.
Lightning is the No. 2 weather killer in the US (behind floods).
Every 5 seconds between flash and boom is a mile's distance from you.
Under ideal conditions, lightning's thunder can be heard 12 miles away.
Lightning is really no wider than a few inches.
All thunderstorms produce lightning.

These images are not to be used for protection of life and property!

This detector covers a large area of Central Florida. Including Pasco, Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee, Sarasota, Desoto, Hardee, Polk, Lake, Sumter, Hernando and Citrus Counties. The range goes beyond these areas, however is still limited to an effective 250 mile radius.

Nexstorm Console - StormVue Java - WASP Networked - StrikeStar Network - SPARK Mobile