Wireless internet and web cam in the LZ.
Moderator: Chip
Wireless internet and web cam in the LZ.
I have talked to a few people who agree that it would be nice to have a wireless internet connection in the LZ. Not only could we use it for internet access but we would be able to set up a web cam in the LZ - named "The Wack Cam" (chips idea) - so when you can't be there you can at least watch from work and be entertained by the exciting H4 landings. DSL only cost 29.00 per month and it would be a nice amenity for our flying country club. What do you think?
Hardware is the biggest expense
I'd like to be involved. Money and hardware that is resilent to weather will be the most important considerations
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JT
Wireless DSL in the LZ sounds nice but does it really do anything for the majority of pilots? How many pilots are going to spend time at work watching their buddies whack on a weekend they can't be there? Where is the money going to come from - and - isn't there something more important to spend it on if it's from club dues? Again, it sounds fun but for the moment I'd rather see trees planted on the West side of the parking lot. Convince me otherwise.
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JT
Chris,
don't get me wrong. I am not against the idea of web access in the LZ. Notice: there isn't a "not interested" vote tallied.
As I said, it sounds like a fun thing. I don't believe I would regularly use it and I just wonder who would, besides you, Chip and maybe Christian, whoever he is.
If a lot of pilots like the idea, it should be brought up to the board. Unfortunately, I don't think you'll get a fair sampling of opinions from your online poll.
I suggest that we bring this up at the club meeting this Sunday. Lots of the regulars will be there. Even if most pilots don't care to have DSL in the LZ, splitting the cost between the pilots that are willing could still get it done if someone takes the responsibility so that the BOD doesn't have to do anything; especially spend members' money. You know all the flack that they got for buying the picnic furniture and building the storage.
As for the donations for trees: I'm in, Christian; I'll bring it up to a board member and get it on the agenda for Sunday (hey, what if we asked for sponsors for "memorial" trees?). For that matter, I'll have them bring up the wireless access, too.
See you there.
don't get me wrong. I am not against the idea of web access in the LZ. Notice: there isn't a "not interested" vote tallied.
As I said, it sounds like a fun thing. I don't believe I would regularly use it and I just wonder who would, besides you, Chip and maybe Christian, whoever he is.
If a lot of pilots like the idea, it should be brought up to the board. Unfortunately, I don't think you'll get a fair sampling of opinions from your online poll.
I suggest that we bring this up at the club meeting this Sunday. Lots of the regulars will be there. Even if most pilots don't care to have DSL in the LZ, splitting the cost between the pilots that are willing could still get it done if someone takes the responsibility so that the BOD doesn't have to do anything; especially spend members' money. You know all the flack that they got for buying the picnic furniture and building the storage.
As for the donations for trees: I'm in, Christian; I'll bring it up to a board member and get it on the agenda for Sunday (hey, what if we asked for sponsors for "memorial" trees?). For that matter, I'll have them bring up the wireless access, too.
See you there.
I would hydroseed the new slope, allotting for some time for it to take before allowing a lot of landing traffic on it. It may be better to wait until this fall's wet season starts again.
Alternatively, one could just seed it, and provide some irrigation. Don't know if there is any on site. Would be alot cheaper this way.
The edge of the ramp could be planted as well with something to act as a wind break. Yes, I have encountered a small rotor there. I am of course only a Hang 2, so what do I know...
Using California native ground cover and plant material would blend the new grade with it's surroundings as well as complying with most fire and erosion ordinances for L.A. County.
See here: http://www.sbcounty.gov/floodinfo/Debri ... ooklet.pdf
Just one Landscape Designer's opinion....
Alternatively, one could just seed it, and provide some irrigation. Don't know if there is any on site. Would be alot cheaper this way.
The edge of the ramp could be planted as well with something to act as a wind break. Yes, I have encountered a small rotor there. I am of course only a Hang 2, so what do I know...
Using California native ground cover and plant material would blend the new grade with it's surroundings as well as complying with most fire and erosion ordinances for L.A. County.
See here: http://www.sbcounty.gov/floodinfo/Debri ... ooklet.pdf
Just one Landscape Designer's opinion....
Whack Cam
I like the Wireless in the LZ idea. 1) Yes, I would watch my fellow pilots whack while I'm at work. It's better than either working or watching porn. Can these whacks be saved for replay? (instructional value of course) 2) Going online could be a great way to kill time waiting in the LZ. 3) I drive a long way to get to the LZ and it would be nice to be able to tell if anybody is there before I depart. I would like to see the whole area, not just the killing fields. This would probably require two camsl. I would contribute $100 to hardware to get two cams up to accomplish this.
Flyyyyy
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JT
I brought this up at the meeting Sunday and many of the pilots present were very supportive of both ideas: wireless DSL and the whack-cam. Ken Andrews is aware of this and I have written to Chris Smith suggesting he contact Ken to get this done. With the donation pledges so far and Chip's offer to be involved, the BOD should be reasonably, easily convinced to go ahead with the implementation.
Whackers beware! You can run but you won't be able to hide anymore.
Whackers beware! You can run but you won't be able to hide anymore.
Trees & DSL
I'll donate a $100 towards the trees and DSL project - either or both.
Type of Camera?
I've been doing some research on the camera and have more than a few ideas. The best camera for this type of job are PTZ (pan - tilt - zoom) cameras that usually have their own built in web server. These cameras would allow remote viewers to take control of the camera for a specified amount of time and also normally include up to 10 presets. 
You can see examples of this type of camera in use at Mammoth Mtn and a few other sites, I have included links here.
Camera Site Examples:
Marina Cam in Oakland Estuary
Flagstaff AZ
Mammoth
As you can imagine the cameras aren't cheap somewhere between $900 - $1300 (that's not including the enclosure which is probably another $500). At the moment with Geza's condition I would be hard pressed to ask for donations. But I will continue to research and look for alternatives. If we can get a PTZ camera I think everyone would enjoy it.
Cameras Prices:
http://www.canonwebcams.com/vb_c50ir/canon_vb-c50i.htm
http://www.usrelay.com/store/category_m ... ?cat_id=39
You can see examples of this type of camera in use at Mammoth Mtn and a few other sites, I have included links here.
Camera Site Examples:
Marina Cam in Oakland Estuary
Flagstaff AZ
Mammoth
As you can imagine the cameras aren't cheap somewhere between $900 - $1300 (that's not including the enclosure which is probably another $500). At the moment with Geza's condition I would be hard pressed to ask for donations. But I will continue to research and look for alternatives. If we can get a PTZ camera I think everyone would enjoy it.
Cameras Prices:
http://www.canonwebcams.com/vb_c50ir/canon_vb-c50i.htm
http://www.usrelay.com/store/category_m ... ?cat_id=39
Getting there
I just found and purchased a wireless antenna for the windsports house (HyperLink 19dB parabolic) to beam over the wireless signal from Windsports. Joe Greblo agreed sometime ago that he would help provide the wireless signal to extend the flight parks offerings. 
The antenna should provide enough gain to adequately power most wifi users in the LZ.
Next step is to get a wireless router (I think we can get one for around $40). The antenna I got online from a third party for $15 (normally it would have been around $50).
It's possible that the laptops may not work well without a directional antenna but we need to put this configuration up first to see how the laptops will perform. If the laptops do well (yes that includes those Macintosh computers too Chris), then we will work with this configuration until such time that the interest is high enough to get cameras in the LZ.
The antenna should provide enough gain to adequately power most wifi users in the LZ.
Next step is to get a wireless router (I think we can get one for around $40). The antenna I got online from a third party for $15 (normally it would have been around $50).
It's possible that the laptops may not work well without a directional antenna but we need to put this configuration up first to see how the laptops will perform. If the laptops do well (yes that includes those Macintosh computers too Chris), then we will work with this configuration until such time that the interest is high enough to get cameras in the LZ.
Router in hand
Christian has donated a wireless B router and I am working on the setup now. I've had to modify the router because it doesn't have the ability to hook up an external antenna. Interestingly the router had a PCMCIA card inside of it (I would have never thought that would be the case). A PCMCIA card usually goes into a laptop to add wireless capability.
Erwin is installing a connector so we can hook up the WIFI antenna. This should be accomplished by Wednesday. Bottom line we'll have the wireless operational before we leave for Texas on the 5th of August.
Erwin is installing a connector so we can hook up the WIFI antenna. This should be accomplished by Wednesday. Bottom line we'll have the wireless operational before we leave for Texas on the 5th of August.
Router Ready
Erwin did a really nice job on the router modification and it looks like we are ready to test the WIFI installation. I will be out on Saturday July 30th to conduct some testing.
However I am having issues with the boards recent decision that pushed Chris Smith into quitting his volunteer actions with the SHGA web site.
I am considering abondoning the whole project because I strongly believe the actions of the board were not in the best interest of the assocation. Especially when one considers that the board will now spend our dues toward hiring a "professional" web master. We had one, that was a member of our club / association.
However I am having issues with the boards recent decision that pushed Chris Smith into quitting his volunteer actions with the SHGA web site.
I am considering abondoning the whole project because I strongly believe the actions of the board were not in the best interest of the assocation. Especially when one considers that the board will now spend our dues toward hiring a "professional" web master. We had one, that was a member of our club / association.
Preliminary Testing not going well
I tested the signal strength of the donated router today and could not get the signal across the street. The whole setup is in question at the moment.
I believe the router power level may be suspect and will test a bit more tomorrow. I hope to isolate the problem by 12pm.
If the problem isn't the router then it will be neccessary to bridge the signal with another antenna. In this case I may not be able to accomplish the setup prior to the TX meet.
I believe the router power level may be suspect and will test a bit more tomorrow. I hope to isolate the problem by 12pm.
If the problem isn't the router then it will be neccessary to bridge the signal with another antenna. In this case I may not be able to accomplish the setup prior to the TX meet.
Signal Strength Good
I finally isolated the problem with the signal strength from the WindSports house. Looks like I have a bad cable that was likely causing way too much attenuation to the signal.
After I bypassed the 100' cable the signal was strong enough to get from the back of the house with a 7dB omni. The signal was strong enough to get to the gazebo but that was about it. After hooking up the wireless router directly to the directional antenna the signal in the LZ is BOOMING. Even the "bario" has signal.
Looks like we should be able to fix the cable and then we can test the internet connection. I anticipate about 1 more week before it's all said and done.
The router WILL be configured with WEP security for all you B card users. Later on we will likely consider supporting only G security for stronger encryption. Users of the wireless network will need to be SHGA members in good standing to get the wireless security code so they can connect. You're not up to date then no access.
We still need to work out how visitors can gain access and how often the code will change. But today was a good step towards getting internet access to our flight park.
After I bypassed the 100' cable the signal was strong enough to get from the back of the house with a 7dB omni. The signal was strong enough to get to the gazebo but that was about it. After hooking up the wireless router directly to the directional antenna the signal in the LZ is BOOMING. Even the "bario" has signal.
Looks like we should be able to fix the cable and then we can test the internet connection. I anticipate about 1 more week before it's all said and done.
The router WILL be configured with WEP security for all you B card users. Later on we will likely consider supporting only G security for stronger encryption. Users of the wireless network will need to be SHGA members in good standing to get the wireless security code so they can connect. You're not up to date then no access.
We still need to work out how visitors can gain access and how often the code will change. But today was a good step towards getting internet access to our flight park.
Nearly Complete (it's all downhill from here)
Looks like the final stages are set for the wireless. I have tested everything and it all works. Just need to mount the box and hookup the cat5 and power.
Still need to decide how we will distribute the wireless access code for "PAYING" club members.
Here's a picture of the access point with a power over ethernet adapter on top of the router. The beauty of the configuration is we only need to run a cat5 cable to the box and that's it. Keep it simple.
If anyone is interested I can give you the details of the configuration the next time you see me in the LZ. Now we just need to get those of you that said you would donate to pay up!! Thanks to Christian, Sebastian and Jose B for their donations. And of course Joe Greblo of WindSports, none of this would have been possible or would have taken much longer without his generous offer to let SHGA share his internet connecetion.
Still need to decide how we will distribute the wireless access code for "PAYING" club members.
Here's a picture of the access point with a power over ethernet adapter on top of the router. The beauty of the configuration is we only need to run a cat5 cable to the box and that's it. Keep it simple.
If anyone is interested I can give you the details of the configuration the next time you see me in the LZ. Now we just need to get those of you that said you would donate to pay up!! Thanks to Christian, Sebastian and Jose B for their donations. And of course Joe Greblo of WindSports, none of this would have been possible or would have taken much longer without his generous offer to let SHGA share his internet connecetion.
Last edited by Chip on Sun Sep 11, 2005 7:50 am, edited 1 time in total.
Complete
I finished the installation tonight and the wireless in the LZ is operational now! We surfed for a while and the signal strength is very good with my laptop in the Gazebo. Earlier tests showed the connection good in the "bario" but I didn't check it tonight, although I don't think it would have changed.
Now all you guys that said you would donate ..............
I still need to perform some speed tests but from a quick observation it seemed OK to me. There's a bit of tidying up I need to do with the cable and sealing the box a bit better but all in all I think it's finished.
NOTE: I did some speed test on Saturday and the speed is blazing. WindSports has a cable connection and I saw 4M download speeds. Uploads were typical of a cable connection.
If anyone would like the access code for the time being I will likely write it down and post it on the make-shift bulletin board in the gazebo tomorrow afternoon.
Enjoy!!!
Now all you guys that said you would donate ..............
I still need to perform some speed tests but from a quick observation it seemed OK to me. There's a bit of tidying up I need to do with the cable and sealing the box a bit better but all in all I think it's finished.
NOTE: I did some speed test on Saturday and the speed is blazing. WindSports has a cable connection and I saw 4M download speeds. Uploads were typical of a cable connection.
If anyone would like the access code for the time being I will likely write it down and post it on the make-shift bulletin board in the gazebo tomorrow afternoon.
Enjoy!!!
Last edited by Chip on Sun Sep 11, 2005 7:06 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Camera Donated f0r Whack Cam
Wow, no sooner than the wireless network is up Dave Teal comes through with a camera and housing (no small donation by a long shot). The camera is very nice and he says it's a high quality color camera. He is going to bring a power supply for it too.
I looked at the camera and my eyes nearly BUGGED out of my head. This thing is brand spanking new and the housing is temperature controlled (very nice)
.
I'll put up some pictures in a day or two so you can all see his generous donation.
Thanks a BUNCH Dave!!!.
So that means we got a bit more work to do. Not sure if we can have it all complete before the Dahlston Cup. But we'll see what we can do.
I looked at the camera and my eyes nearly BUGGED out of my head. This thing is brand spanking new and the housing is temperature controlled (very nice)
.I'll put up some pictures in a day or two so you can all see his generous donation.
Thanks a BUNCH Dave!!!.
So that means we got a bit more work to do. Not sure if we can have it all complete before the Dahlston Cup. But we'll see what we can do.
Last edited by Chip on Mon Sep 12, 2005 7:07 pm, edited 1 time in total.