StormTracker-PCI User Manual
Contents
1. INTRODUCTION 1 Installation Installation consists of three stages 1 Installing the receiver board in the computer 2 Installing software onto your hard disk 3 Installing the antenna and routing the cable StormTracker PCI Installation Instructions There are three steps to installing your new PCI StormTracker card 1 Installing the StormTracker PCI receiver card in your computer 2 Installing the lightning display software NexStorm Lightning2000 3 Installing the Windows device driver INSTALLING THE PCI CARD IN YOUR COMPUTER Locate a free PCI card slot on your computer motherboard PCI connectors are usually white in color whereas the older style ISA connectors are usually black Plug the StormTracker card into the PCI slot and screw the card down Make sure the card is fully seated in the PCI connector Also make sure the other cards in your computer are fully seated in their connectors as plugging in a new card can unseat existing cards INSTALLING THE WINDOWS DISPLAY SOFTWARE DEVICE DRIVER Turn on your computer When Windows restarts it will detect the new StormTracker card and ask for a device driver Click Cancel then insert display software disc and follow installation instructions according to software manual Driver installation will occur during software installation Installing the Antenna The antenna is housed in a small black plastic box that must be mounted vertically on a non metallic support Th2. Keep the antenna away from electrical wiring to reduce the chance of picking up noise 8 TRACKING STORMS The mast is 1 Y inch PVC while the container for the detector is 3 inch PVC mounted to a tripod on the roof TRACKING STORMS 9 Troubleshooting Problem There is a very high noise count Reason There is something producing noise in the low frequency range StormTracker uses to detect lightning It is most likely an electrical device near the antenna StormTracker is a radio receiver sensitive to all sources of radio frequency energy Lightning is one source but there are many others Interference can appear as either excessively large number of noises gt 50 noises minute or as a cluster of lightning strikes which appear suddenly and do not move with time Interference usually appears as a continuous stream of strikes and or noises whereas a thunderstorm tends to produce randomly spaced bursts of strikes Solution First try raising the Receiver Squelch slightly to see if you can make the receiver ignore the noise The Squelch control is found on the Configure Processing screen If you need to raise the squelch control more than half way you will be sacrificing some range and should try to solve the noise problem To locate the source of the noise first confirm the noise is coming in through the antenna Shield the antenna from radio waves by placing an empty tin can upside down over the antenna If the noise disappears then
3. mentioned and higher than the antenna The StormTracker PCI receiver board has surge suppression in its input to protect against voltages induced into the antenna cable It is also a good idea to purchase a sutge suppressor to plug your computer into Try to find one that will protect your phone line as well Lightning often enters through the telephone line Both your computer and surge suppressor will need to be grounded The antenna may be mounted indoors or outdoors Try to mount the antenna as high as possible without making it a lightning rod Mounting the antenna high will keep it away from noise sources and will improve the maximum range In a wood framed house the second floor or attic is often a good location for the antenna This places the antenna above the most common sources of interference televisions lights and appliances yet leaves it in a good location to receive lightning signals Mount the antenna to the drywall or attic rafter away from screws nails electrical wiring and other metal objects If your house has aluminum siding vinyl siding is ok foil lined insulation or any other metal coating you might have problems receiving with the antenna indoors as the metal may shield radio waves from the antenna DO NOT MOUNT THE ANTENNA SO AS TO ATTRACT LIGHTNING The antenna does not need to be the highest object in the area to receive lightning signals DO NOT LOCATE THE ANTENNA NEAR AN OBJECT WHICH IS LIKELY TO
4. whether storms are coming your way StormTracker uses a direction finding antenna to receive and locate the radio signals produced by lightning The strength of the received signal is used to calculate approximately how far the strike is away The combination of direction and distance allows the strike to be plotted onto a radar like screen the receiver location being the center of the screen with distance increasing outwards from the center As well as showing the current lightning activity lightning data may be replayed in fast motion displaying several hours of storm activity in a few seconds You can see the natural progression of storms as they form and later die out StormTracker consists of e PCI style receiver board which you will install in your computer e direction finding antenna e 50 foot antenna cable e software on CD ROM e manual You will need to e install the receiver board in your computer e let Windows load the device drivers for the PCI card e install the display software onto your computer s hard drive e configure the software e route the antenna cable e mount the antenna e wait for a thunderstorm The installation section of the manual will take you through each of these steps After completing these steps your StormTracker lightning detector should be operational If you have difficulties getting your detector to work properly the troubleshooting section will help you determine the cause of the problem
5. Activity or Display Archived Data Reason You are trying to display strike data faster than your computer is capable with Skip Strikes turned on In an attempt to keep up with the fast display rate the program is skipping over strike data rather than displaying it There are so many strikes to display that you are skipping more strikes than you are displaying Solution Either slow down the playback rate lower minutes second rate or turn off Skip Strikes in the Configure Screen menu Problem Lightning strikes are being displayed but the direction is not correct Reason Your antenna is not correctly oriented Solution Reorient the antenna so that the front faces north See the Installing the Antenna section of the manual for more information on antenna orientation and location 12 MAKING BACKGROUND MAPS Making an Antenna Cable The Stormtracker PCI uses standard Category 5 Cat5 10baseT network cable for the antenna cable You can purchase a replacement antenna cable from any computer store selling network hardware Antenna cables may be up to 200 feet long If you have access to a crimper for RJ 45 connectors and a source of RJ 45 connectors and Category 5 network cable you can make your own custom antenna cable Making your own cable means you are able to pull the cable through conduits walls etc before you attach the connectors This lets you drill smaller holes for the cable and protects the connectors from damage durin
6. BE STRUCK BY LIGHTNING Objects such as television antennas CB antennas power lines phone lines and tall trees are natural targets for lightning Keep the antenna and cable away from anything which might be struck by lightning Lightning can jump from one object to another in its search for ground 4 TRACKING STORMS The antenna may be mounted with nylon cable ties or with nylon bolts through the mounting flanges available at a hardware store Do not use steel screws to mount your antenna as the antenna must not be near any metal objects If mounting the antenna outdoors care must be taken to protect the antenna connector from moisture While the antenna is completely waterproof the antenna connector must be sheltered from rain Place the antenna inside a non metal housing such as a length of ABS or PVC pipe with an end cap covering the top Keep a small opening on the bottom to allow condensation to drain out ABS or PVC pipe fittings and glue may be purchased from a hardware store plumbing department Mark NORTH on the outside of the pipe to help in orienting the antenna correctly Fasten the cable to the wall or support about 6 12 below the antenna Leave a bit of slack in the cable near the antenna so that there is no strain on the connector from the wire If you find the 50 antenna cable provided is not long enough you may purchase a Boltek extension cable This allows you to locate the antenna up to 200 from your computer You
7. C BOLTEK BOLTEK CORPORATION Lightning Detection StormTracker Lightning Detector with PCI style receiver card Installation Operators Guide SEE NOTICES ON REVERSE BOLTEK LIGHTNING DETECTION StormTracker Lightning Detector Disclaimer StormTracker lightning data is only approximate and should not be used for safety applications Strike and storm locations indicated and alarm statuses may be erroneous and should not be used to safeguard personnel equipment or data Neither Boltek Corporation nor its affiliates shall be liable to the purchaser of this product or third parties for damages losses costs or expenses incurred by purchaser or third parties as a result of use loss of use misuse accident or abuse Notwithstanding the above Boltek Corp s liability shall not exceed the purchase price of the equipment THIS EQUIPMENT IS NOT TO BE USED FOR SAFETY PURPOSES 1996 2014 Boltek Corporation 4 Stonebridge Dr Unit 2 Port Colborne ON L3K5V5 Canada Email info boltek com Web www boltek com Phone 905 734 8045 Fax 905 734 9049 TABLE OF CONTENTS SOFTWARE LICENSE icissivccciccscadsssesdadesccscecsssesdecasscvencassescedessccceesssescatostsscatootescoceas IV LIMITATION OF LIABILITY ccccccssssscccssscscccsscscccccssssccccssscssccssscsosessecees IV WARRANT E Vieta vi IV INTRODUCTION oiiscccccvccccsccscccccscossctccesesccssssecctccovsccccsovsccsccesecocecceeccsccesscooscccsccsececesds 1 IN
8. Each of these can radiate radio signals in the same frequency range that StormTracker uses to detect lightning If you are experiencing noise problems you must take steps to prevent the antenna from receiving these interfering signals This usually requires relocating either the antenna or the source of interference Televisions monitors and light dimmers will produce a continuous stream of strikes and noise Lights and appliances turning on and off will produce a single strike or noise as the device turns on or off The best way to prevent interference is to separate the antenna from the source if interference The best way to separate the antenna is vertically It is usually best to mount the antenna as high as possible A small amount of vertical separation is equivalent to a larger amount of horizontal separation A portable AM radio tuned between stations can be a useful tool in locating a noise source Listen for buzzing and clicking sounds that correspond with a StormTracker noise or strike An electrical appliance turning on or off can produce a click or popping sound Televisions light dimmers arc welders motors and computers will make a buzzing sound If you find something which you suspect is producing interference to StormTracker turn off the device to see if the noise problem is reduced TROUBLESHOOTING 11 Problem Very few strikes are displaying on the screen even though the strike count is very high when in Display Recent
9. STALLATION cosioticacodiciocanianinniiiaia liada aa a iea a ae ieo 2 STORMTRACKER PCI INSTALLATION INSTRUCTION G 0ccccccssssees 2 INSTALLING THE PCI CARD IN YOUR COMPUTER o 00oocccooccnnnccnnnnccnnncnnnnicnnnnnnns 2 INSTALLING THE WINDOWS DISPLAY SOFTWARE DEVICE DRIVER 2 INSTALLING THE ANTENNA ccccccsecccescccesscccesccceuscssuccceusceeescccesscesuscssuueseusceeuesceusecees 3 TROUBLESHOOTING wiiccccccscccccccsscscccssccccscosccccscesscccccoecccccccssccccccsccsccccdscouscvescoeseuss 10 MAKING AN ANTENNA CABLE coscccssccsssescccsssessctsescdvenssdesssscssnsescaucessecersesseteesends 13 Software License Boltek grants to customer a non exclusive paid up license to use the Boltek Corp software on one computer subject to the following provisions a Except as otherwise provided in this Software License applicable copyright laws shall apply to the software b Title to the medium on which the software is recorded or stored is transferred to customer but not title to the software c Customer shall not use make manufacture or reproduce copies of software except for use on one computer and as is specifically provided in this Software License Customer is expressly prohibited from disassembling the software d Customer is permitted to make additional copies of the software only for backup purposes or if additional copies are required in the operation of one computer with the software e All copyright notices sha
10. e antenna cable plugs into the bottom of the antenna housing When mounting the antenna ensure the correct side of the antenna faces north The cable plugs into the bottom of the antenna with the front of the antenna facing north The front of the antenna corresponds to the top of the computer screen If the antenna does not face north the top of the computer screen will not be north Antenna Antenna Cable Provided there are no large metal objects to block the radio signals mounting the antenna 6 feet high is ok Mounting the antenna 12 feet high is good 20 25 feet 1s better TRACKING STORMS 3 LIGHTNING Receiving lightning signals does not cause lightning to strike Your LD 250 antenna is less likely to be struck by lightning than your anemometer since the antenna does not need to be above the roof line Still though you must exercise common sense when choosing a location for your antenna If you mount the antenna on a ten foot pole on the highest point on your roof with no trees or television tower nearby you are asking for lightning to strike Your best protection against lightning is to mount the antenna indoors Radio waves will pass right through a wood building Lightning is more likely to strike a tall tree television antenna copper plumbing vent satellite dish telephone line power lines or CB antenna If you do mount the antenna outdoors make sure there are plenty of ground paths for lightning nearby such as those just
11. g installation If you make your own antenna cable you must ensure that the wire pairing is done correctly The connectors must not only be wired straight through non reversing but the twisted pairs must be located in the correct positions If the pairing is not done correctly there will be crosstalk between the different signals on the cable and your unit will not work properly The correct pair locations are Wire position 12345678 Pair 33211244 What this means is one pair is in the center positions 4 amp 5 another pair is split and surrounds the first positions 3 amp 6 another pair is on the left positions 1 amp 2 and another pair is on the right positions 7 amp 8 TROUBLESHOOTING 13 The actual color positions do not matter as long as you use the same color assignments on both ends and you split the pairs correctly The wire color assignments we use is POSITION PAIR COLOR 1 3 White Green 2 3 Green 3 2 White Orange 4 1 Blue 5 1 White Blue 6 2 Orange 7 4 White Brown 8 4 Brown You can have up to 200 feet of antenna cable without using a separate antenna power supply In special circumstances we have made custom cables up to 500 feet in length that used a separate 12VDC power supply for the antenna Do NOT use the pairing 11223344 That is wire pairs placed next to each other This will not work 14 TROUBLESHOOTING
12. ll be retained on all copies of the software Limitation of Liability Boltek Corp shall have no liability or responsibility to customer or any other person or entity with respect to any liability loss or damage caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by hardware or software sold leased licensed or furnished by Boltek Corp including but not limited to any interruption of service loss of business or anticipatory profits or consequential damages resulting from the use or operation of the hardware or software Notwithstanding the above limitations Boltek Corp s liability for damages incurred by customer or others shall not exceed the amount paid by customer for the particular hardware or software involved STORMTRACKER IS NOT BE USED FOR SAFETY PURPOSES Warranty Boltek Corp warrants each new Boltek StormTracker Lightning Detector delivered to the customer to be free from defects in material and workmanship for a period of one year Should your Boltek StormTracker fail within the warranty period telephone fax or email Boltek describing the problem you are encountering If we can t solve the problem for you we will give you an R M A number to return the product for repair or replacement Introduction Congratulations on your purchase of the StormTracker Lightning Detector You will find StormTracker to be a useful tool in determining if there is lightning in your area finding the location of storms and determining
13. may also purchase a replacement cable at any computer store selling network hardware Any Category 5 cable up to 200 feet will work See Appendix C for information on making your own antenna cable TRACKING STORMS 5 Antenna Mounting Suggestion Outdoor g 5 Z ABS or PVC Pipe Antenna Mounting Suggestion Outdoor _ Aleast3e 6 TRACKING STORMS Antenna Mounting Suggestion Attic Antenna Mounting Examples Here an antenna is mounted in an attic PVC plumbing hardware is used to attach the antenna to the framing The vertical pipe is not cemented to allow the antenna to be rotated slightly for fine tuning direction The front of the antenna must face exactly north TRACKING STORMS 7 Here an antenna is mounted in a shed using PVC plumbing hardware purchased at a local hardware store The antenna is attached using nylon cable ties Here the antenna is attached to the drywall in the second floor bedroom of a house The antenna is mounted on the wall using PVC plumbing hardware purchased at a local hardware store The antenna is attached to the PVC pipe with nylon screws The vertical piece of PVC pipe is not cemented so that the antenna can be rotated to fine tune the direction Mount the antenna between studs to keep it away from nails and screws Look for electrical outlets on the wall to determine if there is wiring behind the drywall
14. the antenna is picking up the noise signal You should either relocate the antenna farther from the noise source raising the antenna usually works best or relocate the source of the noise To identify the source of the noise one by one turn off all electrical devices including your computer monitor until the noise stops If the noise does not stop when the antenna is shielded with a tin can the noise is coming in either through the antenna cable or the receiver board Try relocating the antenna cable to see if the noise changes in any way Try placing both the antenna and antenna cable inside a steel container close to the computer to see if the noise stops Slowly remove the cable and begin to run it back to your desired antenna location If the noise returns this should provide a clue as to what may be causing the noise If the noise continues despite the shielding unplug the antenna cable from the receiver board If the noise continues the receiver board is picking up noise from other boards in your computer 10 MAKING BACKGROUND MAPS You will have to change the position of the board in your computer Increase the separation between the StormTracker board and any other board Or try placing different boards next to the StormTracker board Do not place the computer s video board next to the StormTracker board Noise can come from televisions e computer monitors lights or appliances turning on or off light dimmers electric motors
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