[TowerTalk] webcam atop the tower

[Didier Juges]

Michael,

I have one, similar to what you describe, near the top of my 50' tower 
(under the 2m beam). Make sure it is oriented such that the sun will not 
get into the picture. That would be assured destruction of the CCD sensor. 
Mine is looking down just enough that I do not see the horizon. It would be 
nice to have an elevation servo motor. I have been thinking about using one 
from my old RC model airplane days. I have made a protective hood for the 
cam with a piece of PVC tube normally used to protect the exhaust from the 
clothe dryer (looks a little like the hood of a baseball cap).

The X10 cams are not sensitive in low light, so at night, don't expect to 
see anything. They may have more sensitive models now, but I believe they 
are quite a bit more expensive.

Another problem, my wireless WiFi hub interferes with the cam, regardless 
of channel settings, even though some settings are better than others. Make 
sure you check which channel works best before putting the cam up there.

I have even written a Visual Basic webcam program to upload pictures to my 
web site periodically (download it from www.ko4bb.com, it is free). You 
will need a video capture card. I use a TV Tuner card which as a video 
input. Works great.

To follow on the thread about lightning, think of the responsibility of 
having something connected to AC going all the way up the tower.  In my 
case, the thing is normally plugged off and I only plug it in when I want 
to play with it.

73,
Didier KO4BB


At 12:41 AM 3/22/2004, you wrote:

>has anyone messed with putting a wireless camera on top of a tower?  I've
>got a great view from the top of my tower of seattle.  Thought it might be
>fun as a web cam.  I've got a few X10 2.4ghz wireless cameras next time I do
>maintenance, thought about putting one up.
>
>Michael  K3MH