3 ms·

I think the reason lightning doesn't perturb FM transmissions much is that lightning, being a source of additional energy in the receiver's passband, is an ampl

I think the reason lightning doesn't perturb FM transmissions much is that lightning, being a source of additional energy in the receiver's passband, is an amplitude modulation interference source, whereas FM transmits its information by Frequency Modulation, which is nominally insensitive to AM EMI sources. Any amateur radio operator in the Midwest or Florida using AM on 144MHz will tell you that lightning for sure interferes with reception. With FM, not so much.

caf 12y ago
I have heard the spectrum of lightning EMI described as "from DC to daylight".
yock 12y ago
FM receivers have a limiter circuit, which cuts off any source of amplitude change from the original signal. I'm studying to become a ham right now, and this bit is fresh in my mind.