|
previous topic :: next topic |
| Author |
Message |
Nic
Since 21 Jul 2008
109 Posts
Bend, Oregon
Stoked
|
 Tue Apr 21, 09 11:08 am Sauvies Sensor |
 |
|
After a lot of talk about a sensor or cam at sauvies, lets get serious about this. Here is what we have so far:
bobgatpdx wrote:
With regards to Sauvie Island:
- Last I heard from Stuart at iWindurf - an SI wind sensor is at the top of his list of local projects. That being said, I don't know if or when they'll ever actually do it.
- As far as an SI webcam (or private wind sensor), besides the funding, the other crucial requirements are:
= Access - having permission to put it somewhere
= Power - access to a reliable power source
= Internet - access to an existing broadband connection
- You can go solar for power, but this is more expensive and requires more space for solar panels.
- You can go wireless for internet, but this involves ongoing monthly fees.
The best I could come up with is:
Cell phone attached to a small wind gauge powered by a small solar cell. It calls or texts out every 30-60 minutes. Of course it would have to be a somewhat advanced cell phone to program it to automatically call out with the info.
A sensor like this could be used and transmit to a station around 300ft away. And it comes with its own solar cell.
http://www2.oregonscientific.com/shop/product.asp?cid=2&scid=7&pid=713
The issues faced are still:
-Location
-Monthly payments for the cell coverage
-Funding for the project.
Post up your ideas or what you have heard from ikite, etc.... |
|
|
Kraemer
Since 24 Apr 2006
1736 Posts
Sky Pilot
Unicorn Captain
|
| Tue Apr 21, 09 11:58 am |
|
|
Hi All,
I've been in correspondence with Stuart for about 2+ years now trying and pleading to get something going. I even did a site survey with photos, gps, etc... I was curious to see where they were on the project so I inquired less than a week ago and got the same answer I did last year at this time: Ikite has the money and intent, but is held up by the USCG. End of Story. No date in mind, no progress report, nothing.
What this means is we are probably on our own for this season and possibly more.
We will need to establish a relationship with a homeowner out there to put a set-up.
A camera or wind sensor would be magnificent.
It's really a pisser 'cuz I was dialed in to go to sauvies yesterday, but the F* scap sensor read 6 East at 4:30--noticed that the Fremont Bridge flag was up, and just didn't want to risk getting skunked....again....
It's always delightful to see the wind reading 2 hours late---  |
|
|
pdxmonkeyboy
Since 16 May 2006
6081 Posts
forever labled as the
retired kiter & motorhead Unicorn Master
|
| Tue Apr 21, 09 12:08 pm |
|
|
hobo makes a cellular upload unit that can upload up to 20 recordings a day. Its pricey though, around $800. The bummer is the cell phone plan to support it is around $500/year.
http://www.onsetcomp.com./products/data-loggers/u30-gsm#tabs-product_page_tabs1-3
They make the same unit that also will connect to wifi. I think with a decent repeater, you can shoot the signal up to 2-3 miles for around $300.
What was I kite planning to install anyways? Is there anyway to actually talk to a human out there? what if we raised half of the needed money, would they do it then? |
|
|
slump
Since 16 Sep 2007
26 Posts
|
| Tue Apr 21, 09 12:18 pm Sauvie Cam |
|
|
Are you still looking for a site, I know a private homeowner that lives just upriver that may be willing to locate a cam, does have some old pilings out front as well.
Let me know if you want me to ask? or how I can help? |
|
|
Nic
Since 21 Jul 2008
109 Posts
Bend, Oregon
Stoked
|
| Tue Apr 21, 09 12:33 pm |
|
|
| Yes we are still looking for a site, if you could get a spot locked down that would be awesome. It would have to be not too far upriver. |
|
|
FlyDunes
Since 09 Oct 2007
1034 Posts
Aloha
XTreme Poster
|
| Tue Apr 21, 09 12:41 pm |
|
|
| PDXmedic wrote: | | Yes we are still looking for a site, if you could get a spot locked down that would be awesome. It would have to be not too far upriver. |
Any way to hook up with what ever authority maintains the channel markers? The channel marker located by the far end of the dirt road (toward warrior rock/st.helens) has power and its located about 30 yards off shore. Its about 2 miles north of the kite beach, so it woud be a good "early warning system" for wind that's coming up from the north (like it always does).
BTW, that beach, at the dirt road turn-around, has excellent potential. Especially when the wind is too on-shore at the kite beach. The only problem is that the shipping channel is right next to shore up there, so we'd have to be dodging cargo ships from time to time.
_________________
Lets FLY |
|
|
Nic
Since 21 Jul 2008
109 Posts
Bend, Oregon
Stoked
|
| Tue Apr 21, 09 12:55 pm |
|
|
| I believe the coast guard maintains the Columbia's buoys. But good luck getting them to add any non-government hardware to a buoy. If someone has a contact, I guess it is worth a shot. |
|
|
pdxmonkeyboy
Since 16 May 2006
6081 Posts
forever labled as the
retired kiter & motorhead Unicorn Master
|
| Tue Apr 21, 09 1:07 pm |
|
|
yeah, the coast guard is not going to let that go down. Solar powered equipment is pretty cheap I think the real hinderance is going to be internet access. I used to work with the person who now manages sauvie island and see what he has to say.
I e-mailed that little campground a year ago 9they have free wifi) but the never got back to me. |
|
|
Nic
Since 21 Jul 2008
109 Posts
Bend, Oregon
Stoked
|
| Tue Apr 21, 09 1:11 pm |
|
|
| Well, free wifi with a decent repeater could get us to the beach. The equipment will be cheap if we can find a connection. |
|
|
FlyDunes
Since 09 Oct 2007
1034 Posts
Aloha
XTreme Poster
|
| Tue Apr 21, 09 1:11 pm |
|
|
| pdxmonkeyboy wrote: | yeah, the coast guard is not going to let that go down. Solar powered equipment is pretty cheap I think the real hinderance is going to be internet access. I used to work with the person who now manages sauvie island and see what he has to say.
I e-mailed that little campground a year ago 9they have free wifi) but the never got back to me. |
I know the guy who runs the campground, but that's quite a way from the kite beach. Do you want me to ask him if he has an internet connection? wi-fi?
_________________
Lets FLY |
|
|
pdxmonkeyboy
Since 16 May 2006
6081 Posts
forever labled as the
retired kiter & motorhead Unicorn Master
|
| Thu Apr 23, 09 9:07 am |
|
|
| FlyDunes wrote: | | pdxmonkeyboy wrote: | yeah, the coast guard is not going to let that go down. Solar powered equipment is pretty cheap I think the real hinderance is going to be internet access. I used to work with the person who now manages sauvie island and see what he has to say.
I e-mailed that little campground a year ago 9they have free wifi) but the never got back to me. |
I know the guy who runs the campground, but that's quite a way from the kite beach. Do you want me to ask him if he has an internet connection? wi-fi? |
Yeah, that would be great. Looking at the map, It is a bit farther than I had originally suspected. The boat marina would be money, not sure if they have internet access though. ODFW has a maintenance yard just south of the marina. One question though, can you mount a repeater on a telephone pole? Who do you have to get permission from to mount something on a telephone pole? |
|
|
splaterwin
Since 17 Nov 2005
165 Posts
Vancouver
Stoked
|
| Thu Apr 23, 09 9:16 am |
|
|
Does Clear have a signal out there? Would make internet connection easy, power another problem.
_________________
My kite not pink it's magenta damit! |
|
|
pdxmonkeyboy
Since 16 May 2006
6081 Posts
forever labled as the
retired kiter & motorhead Unicorn Master
|
| Thu Apr 23, 09 9:22 am |
|
|
| ummm, what is clear? Power for the sensor is not that big a problem, the solar units are pretty manageable. |
|
|
magicmaker
Since 29 Oct 2006
895 Posts
da Hood
Opinionated
|
| Thu Apr 23, 09 9:33 am |
|
|
| pdxmonkeyboy wrote: | | ummm, what is clear? |
clear / clearwire, wimax inet provider |
|
|
splaterwin
Since 17 Nov 2005
165 Posts
Vancouver
Stoked
|
| Thu Apr 23, 09 9:36 am |
|
|
| Quote: | | ummm, what is clear? |
Wimax. Checked their web site and looks like no service in area. To bad, would make things easy.
_________________
My kite not pink it's magenta damit! |
|
|
Sasquatch
Since 09 Mar 2005
2103 Posts
PNW
Bigfoot
|
| Thu Apr 23, 09 9:52 am my 3 cents worth |
|
|
| Kraemer wrote: |
and just didn't want to risk getting skunked....again....
It's always delightful to see the wind reading 2 hours late--- |
It is the same sensor as Ikite, but you can get it minute-by-minute if one calls--503-543-6401. . .
Yes, a sensor/camera would be awesome and it should be downriver/upwind of the launch. Not on someone's property away from the launch because that won't provide what is needed. . .my three cents |
|
|
pdxmonkeyboy
Since 16 May 2006
6081 Posts
forever labled as the
retired kiter & motorhead Unicorn Master
|
| Thu Apr 23, 09 10:02 am |
|
|
| well if we go through the trouble it is definitely going to be in the right place. Going with a cellular powered system is NOT cheap, we are talking 2 grand plus $500 year to keep the cell phone running. The big cost in that system is the data logger that records the info and the dials the server and uploads the info. That unit (hobo brand) is $1200. There are other brands in the $800 range. |
|
|
|
