VHF Technique for Locating Lightning

Abstract

The principles of a lightning location method using the VHF signals emitted by the discharge are outlined. Consideration of the source characteristics (notably signal strength and intervals between pulses; of the noise background; of the differences between the signals incident at spatially separated receivers; and of the electronic equipment now available commercially) indicate that the method is entirely feasible. For a lightning flash at a distance of 20 km, a spatial resolution of 200 meters, and a temporal resolution of 20 μsec could be readily obtained; consequently, the development of the successive VHF radiating events in the discharge could be traced.