We present a method for deriving the radio spectrum of electrical discharges from the properties of the time series of charges crossing the discharge gap. For the simple case considered, the resulting spectrum is the product of the power spectrum of emission from a single charge crossing the gap and of the power spectrum of the time series of charges crossing a given point in the gap. This result is applied to the observed spectra of both terrestrial lightning and Saturn electrical discharge(s) (SED). These observations are discussed, particularly in the case of SED. SED occurrence and power density are shown to have subtle, yet important, differences from these observables as they have been described in the last 5 years. It is demonstrated that throughout the episode of Voyager 1's (V1) closest approach to Saturn, SED probably occurred continuously in frequency upward at least from the upper limit of Saturn kilometric radiation at about 800 kHz. This is so despite the fact that in the dynamic spectra a strip in time and frequency in which SED do not occur extends in frequency from 1.3 MHz up to the oft‐discussed “lower limit” of SED in the leading edge of the episode of closest approach. This cutoff band can be well interpreted through the combined effects of lower receiver sensitivity resulting from spacecraft interference and the increasing efficiency of power transfer from a given small antenna as frequency increases up to about the quarter‐wave value (above 7 MHz for the planetary radio astronomy antennas). The greater power in SED that occurred after V1 closest approach is emphasized; it is shown to be consistent with the lower frequency of the maximum in their power spectra. This is a result of the greater length of the discharge gap as it generates SED after closest approach. The variable gap length factor is also invoked to explain the variable frequency cutoff in the range 5–15 MHz of the episodes before closest approach. The SED source moved along a single arc defining both preencounter and postencounter events. The discharge gap lengths were a continuous function of position along this arc, with the shortest gaps lying about 5° west (as seen from the spacecraft) of the noon meridian of Saturn and the longest gaps lying on the nightside of the planet.