[Lowfer] AMRAD Vertical - lightning

[Mitch Powell]

> 
> A more practical way to detect lightning is to measure the change in
> the local electrical field.  There is at least one lightning detection
> system for aircraft which consists of four vertical rods connected, in
> effect, to the four deflection plates of a CRT.  When a lightning strike
> occurs the spot will be deflected in a direction corresponding to the
> stroke, by an amount proportional to the voltage change.  I haven't seen
> a detailed description of the equipment, but am almost sure it doesn't
> really use such a CRT.  Watson-Watt, a British radar pioneer (the
> inventor of radar if you listen to his words - he wasn't) got started in
> the subject in the 1920's (National Physical Lab, I think) using
> primitive CRT's in exactly this arrangement.

Ed - I remember an article in a Scientific American magazine - quite  a few
years ago - I believe it was "Amateur Scoientist" column, which had
schematics and info on just such a system. I remember it as being very
simple and  straight-forward...... but unfortunately have no idea of
the Volume/Year/etc.
It used an old CRT ( like 5BP1) or that sort of thing, and an amplifier for
each deflection plate - and a bit of an antenna.

Not much help - but maybe will help trigger someone else's memory..... It
even showed the direction ! ! !

73
Mitch VE3OT