Lightning is one of the major causes of bushfires, particularly in the remote mountains. This lightning detector system was developed by Dr. Peter Kourtz at Canada’s forest fire research institute. By 1977, some 300 were in use across the country. The small mushroom antenna could detect short-range (20-mile) changes in electrostatic field associated with lightning strikes. It needed to be placed out in the open on a hilltop and away from nearby trees. It simply counted the number of "strikes". The detector doesn't seem to have a direction finding capability or be able to distinguish between cloud-to-cloud or cloud-to-ground lightning. It's not sure how this particular unit found its way to Victoria. The Bureau of Meteorology's (BOM) current lightning detector network uses radio waves emitted by lightning to pinpoint the location of lightning strikes. The network is operated by a private company that sends data to the BOM in real time. Lightning detection systems use sensors like antennas, GPS receivers, and processing systems to detect radio waves, also known as sferics. The systems calculate the lightning's location and speed by measuring how long it takes for the radio signal to reach the different antenna stations. The BOM also has a Thunderstorm Tracker that uses weather radar data to identify areas of potential thunderstorm activity. The tracker updates every six minutes and shows the direction thunderstorms are moving, as well as their expected position in 10, 20, and 30 minutesLightning detector 1970sQ-Techforests commission victoria (fcv), weather, bushfire, bushfire aviation

This is a set of 40 photographs taken in 1992 during 4th Field Survey Squadron’s deployment on Operation MIZMAZE 92 in the Kimberley region of Western Australia from the 13th of May to the 14th of July 1992. The area of operations was Wyndham, Halls Creek and Sandfire Flat. It was a two-part operation involving the field completion of topographic maps and the acquisition of mapping control by GPS field parties utilising Texas Instruments TI4100 Global Positioning System receivers. Survey parties conducted field checking of topographic maps and GPS control acquisition in Perentie 110 Series Survey variant FFR Land Rovers. Three Bell Kiowa LOH helicopters provided by 162 Recce Sqn supported field checking and limited deployment of GPS surveys parties. C-l30 Hercules from 36 Sqn supported deployment and extraction of personnel and equipment to and from from the AO. A Cessna 404 Titan Ambassador from Vee-H Aviation was used as the Wild RC10 camera platform for aerial photography acquisition.This is a set of 40 photographs taken in 1992 during 4th Field Survey Squadron’s deployment on Operation MIZMAZE 92 in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. The colour photographs are on 35mm negative film and are part of the Army Survey Regiment’s Collection. The photographs were scanned at 96 dpi. .1) - Photo, colour, 1992. CAPT Craig Hersant. .2) - Photo, colour, 1992. Unidentified officer/soldier. .3) & .4) - Photo, colour, 1992. Aboriginal rock art - Wandjina Gunduran, Donkey Creek. .5) - Photo, colour, 1992. Aboriginal rock art - Track Wandjinas, Donkey Creek. .6) & .7) - Photo, colour, 1992. CAPT Craig Hersant. .8) - Photo, colour, 1992. Kimberley region topography. CPL Glen Weatherell. .9) - Photo, colour, 1992. Unidentified personnel .10) - Photo, colour, 1992. Supermarket at unknown location. .11) to .13) - Photo, colour, 1992. Caravan park at unknown location. .14) - Photo, colour, 1992. Old bridge at Fitzroy Crosssing. .15) & .16) - Photo, colour, 1992. Survey party in Perentie 110 Series Land Rover. .17) & .18) - Photo, colour, 1992. Kimberley region topography. .19) - Photo, colour, 1992. Kimberley region topography. CPL Glen Weatherell. .20) - Photo, colour, 1992. Kimberley region topography, possibly the Bungle Bungles. .21) - Photo, colour, 1992. Kimberley region topography. SGT Frank Downie. .22) - Photo, colour, 1992. Kimberley region topography: the Bungle Bungles. .23) - Photo, colour, 1992. Kimberley region topography: the Bungle Bungles. .24) - Photo, colour, 1992. Kimberley region topography: the Bungle Bungles. SPR Neil Pedler. .25) & .26) - Photo, colour, 1992. Kimberley region topography: the Bungle Bungles. .27) - Photo, colour, 1992. Kimberley region topography. .28) - Photo, colour, 1992. Survey party with Perentie 110 Series Land Rover. .29) - Photo, colour, 1992. Kimberley region topography. .30) - Photo, colour, 1992. Survey party outside Perentie 110 Series Land Rover. .31) & .32) - Photo, colour, 1992. Survey party operating TI4100 GPS Receiver next to Perentie 110 Series Land Rover. SGT Eddie Jacobs. .33) & .34) - Photo, colour, 1992. Survey party operating TI4100 GPS Receiver next to Perentie 110 Series Land Rover. Unidentified surveyor. .35) - Photo, colour, 1992. Kimberley region topography. Hand water pump at well. .36) - Photo, colour, 1992. Survey party in Perentie 110 Series Land Rover. .37) - Photo, colour, 1992. Kimberley region topography. CPL Glen Weatherell. .38) - Photo, colour, 1992. Kimberley region topography viewed from Bell Kiowa LOH helicopter. .39) & .40) - Photo, colour, 1992. Unidentified surveyor field checking a preliminary map in a Bell Kiowa LOH helicopter..1P to .40P – There are no personnel identified. ‘1992 OP MIZMAZE annotated on negative sleeve.royal australian survey corps, rasvy, 4 fd svy sqn, op mizmaze 92