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Weather Station Hardware => Boltek/NexStorm Lightning Detectors => Topic started by: DaleReid on March 18, 2017, 06:29:44 PM
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With the accuracy of the Blitzortung lightning network, my time and attention has been drawn away from the Boltek device I have. I just lent a backup board to an enthusiast who wished to see what it can do, and it tweaked my interest in the hardware again.
I was going to fire it up as soon as I get the computer that has the Boltek board in it cleared off (literally, there are all sorts of things piled on it and it has been resting for nearly two years.)
Assuming it will boot, and the innards will see lightning again, I am wondering about the two programs I had used. I understand Mark Mears who wrote Lightning 2 K has died, and obviously with the web site now unreachable, signals to me that no one took up the task of maintaining the program or sales. I had put some of the updates on the computer, but don't have the original files. He usually sent a unzip password with each update in an email, so what I have will be the last unless there is an archive somewhere.
One of the difficulties I had was continuing to try to tweak the program for accuracy. It was almost as if you needed to sit with it and monitor where the storms were on radar and tweak all quadrants for distance and sensitivity, etc, which I really don't remember having to do early on with my Boltek.
The other NexStorm is still being marketed, and again haven't updated it in recent times, so I'll see if my registration still allows the latest update to be installed once I find the login and password to their site.
My question is for those fixed site Boltek installations (not the ones in storm chaser vehicles) is there any interest in the lightning community with this technology and the software, and is there an active group of folks still enjoying having a stand alone lightning detection and plotting solution, or is this fading away as time goes on?
Since Lightning 2k's author and company is no longer around, are any Boltek users still running old versions of that, or has it been left behind?
Just curious. Sort of like getting the old Selectric typewriter out once in awhile and remembering things as they were, but if the Boltek hardware still fills a function, maybe I'll try to get mine back running this summer.
Thanks for opinions and thoughts.
Dale
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Dale,
I'm still running LIghtning/2000 Version 6.7.2 which I believe is the last version Mark released.
Steve
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Thanks, Steve,
IF the computer fires up I'll check to see the last version I installed.
Was it just me or was the software difficult for you to calibrate? I just seemed like I was chasing my tail when I'd make adjusstments for range. But others seem to have good plots from what I remember.
Do you have your plot on a web page?
Dale
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Dale,
It's been over 4 years since I set it up and I haven't touched it since. I'm not real sure what all I had to do to get things going. Sorry.
Here's my lightning web page: http://tylertexasweather.com/lightning.htm (http://tylertexasweather.com/lightning.htm)
Steve
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Hi guys,
Im so sad about Mark death, I was almost ready to buy his amazing software but i think there is no one who will continue his work!!
Now lets see if i will choose the nexstorm or my Boltek will just continue the demo nexstorm just not stay off
Vassilis...
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I use my Boltec LD-250 with a Blitzortung
i.e the aerial is used in parallel
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I'm still running the Boltek StormTracker PCI card with Nexstorm.
Although StormTracker is now discontinued I'm sure this will last sometime before needing to upgrade.
I assume most of you are from New Zealand
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Sorry, to hear that Mark passed, we used to exchange info and in the early years I would help with some debugging for him, especially right after Y2K (turn of the century changes).
I am using L2K with my Windows 7 Pro 32-bit system but am testing a Windows 7 Pro 64-bit environment and am having a problem getting the software installed. It goes through the steps fine but then there is no program entry in the Program listing, only the Help Shows up. I really would like to continue using it for the time being. It is suppose to run on 64-bit so was wondering if anyone had any advice.
I ran the last L2K v6.08 full install I had and then applied the last update I got. If I try to run it direct from the Lightning.exe in the folder I get lots of error message, maybe I need some runtime stuff. Any help would be appreciated.
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Maybe try setting the compatibility windows settings ( right mouse click on the .exe )
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I found the original installation instructions for L2K I got from Mark. I don't know if they'll help, but here ya go.
(1) Run the "Setup_L2K_616" program to install Lightning/2000.
(2) You will be asked to supply this password during the installation: xxxxxxxxx
(3) Unzip the file containing your background map into the folder where Lightning/2000 was installed on your computer. (The default installation folder is C:\Program Files (x86)\Aninoquisi\Lightning2000.)
(4) Start Lightning/2000 for the first time. Your background map will be installed automatically.
Note: It is possible, if you are running Windows Vista, Windows 7, or Windows 8, that you will have to run Lightning/2000 with administrator privileges. See the user's manual (p. 22) for details. You will only need to refer to this procedure if you encounter unusual problems when attempting to start Lightning/2000.
(5) Enable your lightning detection hardware by choosing "Options | Hardware..." from the main menu. Check the "Enabled" box and choose the correct lightning detction hardware.
(6) You may select different default arrangements of windows by choosing "Window | Arrange" from the main menu.
That should be enough to get started. Feel free to contact us at support@aninoquisi.com if you need to ask questions.
Steve
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Microsferics.com has an active community using Boltek antennas for TOA solutions. It's pretty cool, they'll send you a kit to get going on the network(costs some money), and you're up and running. http://microsferics.com/index.php/North_America_real-time
We're always looking for new members to fill in gaps. Check it out if you're interested in joining a network using your existing Boltek antenna. http://microsferics.com
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I finally got my LD-350 back online and loaded up L2K on Windows 10. Looks like I have V6.5.1. Is there anywhere I can still get the 6.7.2 update? I must have missed it when it came out.
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PM me your email address and I'll send you 6.7.2.
Steve
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PM Sent. Thanks!!
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Sent you update via email. Hope you received it.
Steve
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hmm. Have not received. My mail goes through gmail that blocks .exe files. Can you please rename extension to .txt & resend?
Thanks!
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I'm just about to start fresh with my PC and was going to update all software.
My L2K is running 5.7.2, any chance of sending me over the last update to L2K.
Such a shame its now discontinued, i love this software :-(
Cheers
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Hi Guys
I came across this forum and notice that you all are looking for Lightning 2000 software
I have Many versions of the lightning 2000 software and updates
I am currently running lightning 2000 v 6.7.2 on Windows 10 64 bit system
If you are interested i am selling the software and tech support on my website
http://mypensacolaweather.com
You can also contact me through the website
Hope this helps
Thx
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Good evening to all.
Does anyone know if there is a way to communicate with the site
http://mypensacolaweather.com
which is currently selling Lightning 2000 software.
I try to communicate for several days but no one answers me.
Vassilios Panakoglou
Larissa
GREECE
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His weather data hasn’t been updated since January of 2020, so I wonder if he’s still around anymore.
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Hi Guys
Sorry I have been busy for awhile now.
I see you are looking for the Lightning 2000 software
Let me know
Thx
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Hi Guys
I have created a link to a compressed download for Lightning 2000 6.7.2 with instructions on how to install on windows 10 64 bit.
Just send me a message and I will send you the link.
Thx
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Hello everyone
I am giving a gift today
you can download the lightning 2000 software 6.7.2 windows 10 64-bit from my website here’s the link it is good for 24 hours
Please read the instructions and follow exactly
In memory of Mark
Thank you
http://mypensacolaweather.com/Lightning_2000_V6.7.2_Setup.zip
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Its not working. I entered to your site only with this link
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Michael, the link that says Download Software Here is in red, but no active link associated with it.
Is there something you have to turn on so we can see if this will work with our Boltek devices? Dale
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Meteolarrisa: I agree. I went to the site, then the top line header where it says to go to the software, and at the top there is a red colored link but it isn't active to go anywhere.
I've tried three different browsers and get the same result.
I wonder if Michael hasn't turned it on or linked to it yet. Let's hope he does and try again later today a few times. Dale
I'd like to see if my old Boltek will still work, and this would be a fun test with this software if it will download.
But we'll have to get some storms here. We are having a very long run of exceptionally warm temperatures and almost no rain for the month, while we usually get about an inch per week.
Dale
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Copy paste to address bar in any browser
This should be a automatic download should not take you to any page
It works for me and Google Chrome
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Ok everyone
I just fixed the link and downloaded the file
Try it now
Sorry about that
Let me know if you all still have problems
Thx
http://mypensacolaweather.com/Lightning_2000_V6.7.2_Setup.zip
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Michael,
Sorry, I must be doing something wrong.
I used:
http://mypensacolaweather.com/Lightning2000V6.7.2Setup
which brings up your home page.
I've turned off the ZoneAlarm protection, and tried
Brave
FireFox
Chrome
Microsoft Edge (or whatever it's called now)
None start an auto download and there is nothing in my download list or folder.
Is there a direct link you can share?
Dale
PS, Thanks for all the work so far.
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I fix the link you can click on the original link and it will take you straight to a download thank you
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Is it working?
will somebody let me know
thank you
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Hi Michael,
I tried again since your last note, using
http://mypensacolaweather.com/Lightning_2000_V6.7.2_Setup.zip
and also going to your web page, then the Lightning header at the top,
I get no download activity on any of the 4 browsers I have, even when I turn off all the incoming scanning, phishing and virus software for the test.
I must not be doing something right, so maybe one of the other members of the forum can try it from their access points.
Dale
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Hi Dale
I was able to download from the direct link on my cellphone hotspot and my laptop
Not sure why your not able to get direct download
My phone ask if i want to download in safari
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Is everyone get the same as Dale?
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It is working for me... right click and save link...Maybe say its harmful but u accept to download.
I just have to try to install it to the weather pc tomorrow and see if works.
Thank Michael
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Ok Great
Thank you for response
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Michael:
Success! Using the tip from the user at Larrisa, I opened your message, then RIGHT clicked on that link which started the automatic download!
Thank you! I will have time later tonight to try installing the program to see if the old Boltek can still hear lightning storms. Thanks again. Dale
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Dang,
I used to have this software but lost it when my old PC died.
Ever since I've been looking for a replacement and now I have missed it!
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Hi Dale
I was able to download from the direct link on my cellphone hotspot and my laptop
Not sure why your not able to get direct download
My phone ask if i want to download in safari
It's not working. :sad: Tried with 2 computers, many browsers and mobile phone..
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Hi everyone
As a treat to everyone the software was posted for 24 hrs only
I will repost a link to the software tomorrow
It is only a USA map with the software
You can recenter to your location
Thx
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Ok
Here is the link for the software
I will leave it open for everyone that wants it.
right click and save link...Maybe say its harmful but u accept to download
Enjoy everyone!
http://mypensacolaweather.com/072021_Lightning_2000_V6.7.2_Setup.zip