The basic idea is to put a camera at the Autobahn, probably near the Yurt,
and use a wireless network to transport its pictures back to the Lodges.
Among other uses this would give in-area viewers a situational awareness for the Autobahn area. The same image could be added to the collection of pictures shared on the public website.
As a "network camera", accessing this camera would be very similar to accessing the North Lodge's "Bowl Cam".
A side benefit would be network access becoming available at each site having a wireless "bridge". Within the capacity of the network links, computers, printers, and other network related devices could be hosted.
The rest of this page is intended to address specific details, to replace assumptions and imagination with details which can be discussed and modified as undesirable features are discovered.
The result of this proposal is to add an electronic "window", and then share it in a manner similar to how ODOT has shared its camera network with the public on its TripCheck web page.
Specific hardware models mentioned below are recommended (or not) based on in-area experience.
Hardware implmentation is somewhat flexible. In the past year we have gained experience with two different hardware sets.
If a single high resolution view is desired, a
3 megapixel network camera
could be used.
- We currently have four high-definition cameras, with views:
ER,
North,
Southeast,
Base area
An earlier generation 640x480 pixel network camera proved disappointing in that its sensor suffered from "image burn" and a color balance shift. Consultation with the manufacturer revealed a known deficiency which was addressed by the time they developed the 3Mp version. The best proof that the problem is fixed will be when the roving cameras, after a Summer's use, do not appear to include outlines of major image elements when they should be obscured by fog, and that grey skies are not tinted yellow. So far these symptoms have not been seen on the newer cameras.
Megapixel cameras require a higher quality lens than the typical "security" camera if you want to get the full benefit of all those extra pixels in the image.
If more than one view is desired, using
analog "security" cameras and
4 channel "video encoder"
is a possiblity. Image quality is 640x480 pixels.
- All but the "roving" cameras use this technology: e.g.
South
Lodge,
'Ed, and
Manzanita
Both camera types could be used, as long as there is an available port on the network interface. The camera sites at Easy Rider and Green Dispatch are currently doing just this.
Use wireless "bridges" to connect one point to another.
A wireless bridge pair (one unit at each end of a path) can provide connectivity equivalent to a CAT5 cable, except that its maximum path length is claimed to be 3 miles instead of the cable's 100 meter (~yard) limit. The link can be encrypted, and so would be secure.
These units need a reasonably clear "line of sight" for long hops. Direct lodge-to-yurt would not be practical without removal of many large trees. A two-hop path (lodge-shop-yurt) may be practical with no removal of trees.
The hardware would survive best if protected from environmental extremes. (Such as temperature, humidity, and vibration) A space suitable for people is a good start. Equipment stays in a location year-round, so it may suffer abuse at times when people are not present: The Summer sun can get things really hot.
Full network access is available at each "bridge" unit. It typically is made available through the use of a network "switch".
A lot was learned over the last year when the Ski Patrol converted its wired analog system to wireless & digital.
The biggest unknowns are in the new areas: New paths, installations, and environments.
| Description | Manufacturer / Model | Quantity | Vendor | Cost | Used at | Manufacturer / Supplier |
| Wireless "bridge" (pair) | E-ZY.net / EZ-Bridge-LT2 | 2 | BeezWax Products | $199.00 | Lodge-to-Shop & Shop-to-Yurt | http://www.e-zy.net/outdoor/EZ-Bridge-LT2/
http://www.beezwaxproducts.com/product_info.php?products_id=30 |
| Network "switch" - 5 port | Netgear / GS105 ?? | 2 | Local computer store | ~ $40 | Shop, Yurt | http://www.netgear.com/products/business/switches/unmanaged-desktop-switches/GS105.aspx
- |
| Network camera | Stardot / NetCam 3Mp | TBD | California PC | ~ $1100 | Yurt | http://www.stardot-tech.com/netcamxl/index.html
http://californiapc.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=2003 |
| Lens for network camera | (if standard lens is not suitable) (Megapixel cameras use better lenses) |
TBD | California PC | ?? | Yurt | ??
?? |
| Security camera (w/o lens) | Pelco / CC3701H-2 | TBD | 123 Security Products | $204 | Yurt | http://www.pelco.com/global/en/products/camera-solutions/range-presentation.page?p_function_id=9502&p_family_id=10217&p_range_id=2857
http://www.123securityproducts.com/cc3701h-2.html?gclid=CM6v-N3v_6QCFQsGbAoduilKhw |
| Lens for security camera | Pelco / 13VD5-50 | TBD | CCTV Products.com | $117 | Yurt | http://www.pelco.com/documents/product/en/shared/selection-guides/lens-selection-guide.pdf#page=1
http://www.cctvproducts.com/13vd5-50.html |
| Video encoder - 2 (or 4) input - for security camera option | Stardot / Express 2 (or 4) | TBD | California PC | $441 (or $604) | Yurt | http://www.stardot-tech.com/video_servers.html
http://californiapc.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=2117 (or http://californiapc.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=2109) |
| CAT5 cables - 3, 7, 25, 50, 100 foot | (generic) | 5 + ?? | Local computer store | ?? | Lodge, Shop, Yurt | -
- |
| BNC cable, 70 Ohm coax - for security camera video | (generic) | TBD (1 per camera) | - | - | Yurt | -
- |
| RG-6 coax cable | ?? | TBD | x | x | Yurt | ??
Radio Shack |
| "F" to BNC adapter | Radio Shack / ?? | TBD | Radio Shack /TD> | x | Yurt | ??
Radio Shack |
| Surge suppressor | Brick Wall / PW2R15 (or PW8R15) | TBD (3) | Brick Wall | $189 (or $229) | Lodge, Shop, Yurt | http://brickwall.thomasnet.com/item/standard-surge-protectors/eight-outlet-surge-protectors/pw2r15
(or http://brickwall.thomasnet.com/item/standard-surge-protectors/eight-outlet-surge-protectors/pw8r15 ) http://brickwall.thomasnet.com/ |
| Outlet strip - suitable for loads | (generic) | 2 | (generic) | ?? | Shop, Yurt | -
Local hardware store |
| Extension cord - as needed | (generic) | ?? | - | ?? | Lodge, Shop, Yurt | -
Local hardware store |
| Mast & Weather enclosure(s) for camera(s) & wireless bridge | Homebrew design | - | - | - | Yurt | - |
| Window, bigger | - | - | - | - | Shop | - |
Lengths depend on hardware locations.
Some "damage" is accumulative, so low-level abuse over time can eventually lead to failures. If you believe in protecting equipment from voltage spikes on power lines due to lightning strikes and variable frequency motor drives, consider using a protection box and power strip to protect the following loads.
While "Brick Wall" boxes look expensive, consider the replacement cost of what they protect. Then consider how many times you are willing to buy replacement hardware before you finally decide that having this protection may be worthwhile. In the Ski Patrol's case we lost an entire computer, a computer power supply, and one camera installation. Since using these, the Ski Patrol's computer and camera hardware have not suffered a failure in several years.
Ideally every part of a network connected via copper wires should be protected, lest an "unprotected" unit suffer a failure and share the voltage spike with devices connected to it. A printer with a fax telephone line is a double threat due to its power and phone connections, and its connection to a "protected" computer compromises the computer and everything else on the computer's network.
Plugging a spike creating load (e.g. circular saw) into a "protected" outlet also compromises the protection. We lost a computer power supply due to an event like this. Do not allow "protected" outlets to be used by by visiting buffers, vacuum cleaners, drills, saws, etc.
