On
SFERIC.US for "exhibition" only, we show the real-time Blitzortung North America Lightning (about a 1.2 to 8 second delay, actually, depending on state of the internet, etc).
The strokes only display on the active map with a life on one minute, scroll down for 2 hour history...
This display DOES NOT include any of the more 'advanced' experimental data which can be 'switched in' on Lightningmaps.org, but only strokes verified by at least 11 detectors, operating within certain modes and certain data characteristics. Generally it is only a C-G detection, but being a hobbyist, experimental network, we play with different schema. Some of those 'parameters' are in fact utilized in the 'experimental' data which may or may not be displayed on Lightningmaps.org. Like most systems, the detection effectivity would be 40-70%, with a locating error from about 0.3 km to as much as 12 km, depending on many variables.
Generally, a well placed, well optimized system cannot effectively provide usable data for a stroke nearer than about 8-10 km due to system sensitivity and energy content. The systems are designed to 'stop sending' if certain limits occur... The system design is optimized for best operation 50-130km, effectively, to operate with the 'best data' region of ground wave /space wave reception... Skywave reception >130 KM depends on the station's 'ionosphere bounce" current window, and those signals can be distorted...Not withstanding, stations routinely operate at detection and locating distances >3500kM and we have a few stations in EM quiet locations that detect on three continents.
In the header of the page, you'll see 'sampled' (every 2 seconds or so) signals from one representative station, at various antenna orientation and badewidths. Both E and H field signals are shown,... they are 'real time', but NOT every actual signal, only a 'random' grab every two seconds...
The hashes at above the signal disply represent 'zero crossings'of a given channel data. At the very top, a representative FFT of thee signals energy content at bandwidth.