Lightning Detecting Electronic Circuits

Essentially, the circuit is tuned to approximately 300 kHz, a frequency which is good for detecting lightning, FYI - Lightning emits a very broad frequency spectrum of energy does to the sheer power. 300 kHz is apparently one of the better frequencies.

Anyway, the tuned circuit feeds the lightning pulse signals into an amplifier, which in turn feeds into a monostable "flasher" circuit. This flasher circuit can then be used to drive some kind of an notification device, such as a speaker or lamp. Very interesting to see how a lightning detector works. A good thing to build on a rainy day perhaps!!!

Main circuit uses only 3 general-purpose transistors (2 x NPN, 1 x PNP) and can be powered from a 5 Volt DC power supply or battery.