Arapuke Bikecam
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Manawatu Mountain Biking
Webcam Sponsor
Webcam design and build sponsored by http://netfone.io
Arapuke Bike Cam Usage Stats
Features
Cam Build
Many people generously donated their time and materials to make this Webcam project come alive.
This part of NZ has some challenges. One challenge is Wind. The Tararua Ranges can experience extremely high wind gusts in exposed areas, which are capable of bending and breaking structures. It was vital that the Camera tower was designed to cope with wind gusts of 150Kph without damage.
There is no electricity, and no Internet in the park so this meant a 16 kilometre point-to-point wireless internet link from town was required.
Netfone supplied the equipment and labour to connect this camera-site to the internet. Thanks to Netfones software developer Omar for working out the streaming Video “tech” and building some cool tools along the way that he has open-sourced. Its been a really fun project.
Thanks as well to the suppliers who assisted with this project, Christie Sheet metals and Scotty Bruce.
Tower Drawings - Vert-X
Vert-X created the engineering drawings for the tower, making sure it was strong enough to stand the storms. Thanks, Steve & Jason for your community spirit.
Solar Stand - Altherm Aluminium
A big thanks to Altherm Aluminium who fabricated the stand for the solar panels, and have allowed their building rooftop to be used for the Broadband-Dish that delivers wireless broadband. Altherm assisted with the installation at the site as well – thanks Mike!.
Helpers
Many volunteers, Rob Vandenberg, Ollie Neilson, Mike Borens, Rolf Lennards
Build Timeline
6 July 2019 Vert-X Structural Engineering Consultants Design approved for construction
8 July 2019 Pole construction begins
8 July 2019 Construction of concrete foundation pad
8 Aug 2019 300Kg, 5m high Antenna-tower is ready for relocation.
1 Nov 2019 Construction crew prepare the site, and 3 tonne foundation craned into position, and tower erected
5 November 2019 – Volunteeers transport and prepare the solar panels to power the webcam
5 November to 27 November 2019 – Netfone commence cabling and installation of electrics and Broadband.
27 November 2019 – Base station installed at Altherm Aluminium in Keith Street Palmerston North. The base station feeds the internet to the Webcam.
10 December 2019 – Live streaming begins.
This was a really interesting fun-project that got Netfone staff away from their PC screens, and up in the wilds – we even did some customer support calls during the build on the hill, using the new Broadband-link. Thanks to Netfone guys: Mike, Omar, Pradip, Ollie & Raf. George offered moral support.