Gun Range Wireless Camera System

[maverick 5582]

I need a router with an SMA external antenna connection to build a portable camera system that will be put in a plastic ammo box with a battery as the power source. There are many commercial units but I want to build my own and use a Amcrest HDSeries 720P WiFi IP Video Security Surveillance Camera. I need to be able to transmit a signal 900-1000 feet.

 

[kanewolf]

If you have to buy a router, why not just buy an outdoor capable device like an engenius ENS202? Use the POE with your battery. Link it to your base and use the local WIFI capability to link to the camera. Why reinvent the wheel ?

 

[maverick 5582]

I am not sure there is a local WIFI capability that far out in the country. All these systems I have looked at carry a separate router so it doesn't have to depend on a local signal.

 

[kanewolf]

Maybe I misinterpreted your request. I assumed you were attempting to link a remote camera back to an office at the range. What are you attempting to connect to this camera ?

 

[maverick 5582]

Maybe I misinterpreted your request. I assumed you were attempting to link a remote camera back to an office at the range. What are you attempting to connect to this camera ?

I am installing all the internals in a Harbor Freight project case so it is man portable. The case will contain the battery pack and router, external antenna mounted on the outside of the case, pan/tilt camera on the outside of the case to send picture of target back to the laptop where I am shooting from. This will allow me to see where the bullets hit the target so I can make corrections. See attached link: https://www.bullseyecamera.com/

 

[kanewolf]

OK, you are trying to create a video target scope. Just a laptop at the one end is probably not sufficient. Get two of the ENS202s and tie the laptop to one of them and use the other one at the camera. Create a point to point link between the two units. You will need power at the laptop end that way, but I think it is the most foolproof implementation. You can set it up across your back yard to get everything working. Then expand the distance.

 

[maverick 5582]

OK, you are trying to create a video target scope. Just a laptop at the one end is probably not sufficient. Get two of the ENS202s and tie the laptop to one of them and use the other one at the camera. Create a point to point link between the two units. You will need power at the laptop end that way, but I think it is the most foolproof implementation. You can set it up across your back yard to get everything working. Then expand the distance.

So with two of these no router is needed?

 

[kanewolf]

Correct. Each of them can be a router, or a wireless bridge or an access point. They are very flexible hardware. They are outdoor rated and about the size of a paperback book.

 

[maverick 5582]

Correct. Each of them can be a router, or a wireless bridge or an access point. They are very flexible hardware. They are outdoor rated and about the size of a paperback book.

Thank you for your help.

 

[maverick 5582]

Correct. Each of them can be a router, or a wireless bridge or an access point. They are very flexible hardware. They are outdoor rated and about the size of a paperback book.

I do see one problem with the ENS202 after talking with EnGensis. They use 24 volts. Not sure that I can get two battery packs that supply 24 volts @ 8 watts power consumption.

 

[kanewolf]

I think you will see people running them on 12VDC. -- http://www.engenius-europe.com/index.php/support-menu/knowledge-base?prodid=319&kbartid=103

 

[maverick 5582]

I think you will see people running them on 12VDC. -- http://www.engenius-europe.com/index.php/support-menu/knowledge-base?prodid=319&kbartid=103

I am going to have to find a simpler more cost effective approach. The original system I look at stated it was effective up to 300 yds. The system generated its own WI-FI Hotspot so you do not need Internet or Cellular Service! Works anywhere, all you need is an iPhone, iPad, or Android Device. It was just a router with simple vertical antenna that had an SMA connection. The guys @ EnGeinus don't even like the ENS202 approach.

 

[kanewolf]

Good luck. RF is much more finicky than ethernet. I would rather leave the RF to the people with million dollar RF chambers.

Nothing I proposed requires any external connectivity.

 

[maverick 5582]

Good luck. RF is much more finicky than ethernet. I would rather leave the RF to the people with million dollar RF chambers.

Nothing I proposed requires any external connectivity.

I appreciate the input. I am going to talk with EnGenius Tech again Monday. Their proposal was out of my reach dollar wise. Once the cost of all the components goes over $300 that is where I draw the line. I figure for what the cost of the original unit cost was @ $332 I could build a better system. Does not look like that now.

 

[kanewolf]

A pair of ENS202s is around $120 depending on NewEgg specials. I used one, to bridge to an agreeable neighbor's WIFI when Verizon sold FIOS in my area and Charter F'ed it up for a week.

 

[maverick 5582]

A pair of ENS202s is around $120 depending on NewEgg specials. I used one, to bridge to an agreeable neighbor's WIFI when Verizon sold FIOS in my area and Charter F'ed it up for a week.

The problem I have is lack of room for equipment. I shoot from a bench so there is only enough room for a laptop on the bench and a spotting scope beside me. The ideal situation is to use an I-pad for the monitor. A small laptop will fit on the bench but that is all the room I have. The transmitter of the signal needs to be able to fit in an ammo can 9" high 16" long 9" wide. A small dipole antenna is unobtrusive siting on the can as well as the pan/tilt camera. This environment has bullets going downrange which means if you get the antenna higher than 18" off the ground it could be hit by the bullets going down range. This system has to be small or they will not allow it on the range. Those are the parameters I have to work in. There is a short range system for 300 yds and a long range system for ranges up to a mile. Both use an ammo can and the long range includes a Base Station Receiver all this in a 14" x 8" x 10" case that weighs - 7LBS. They have made this system work without all the bulk we are talking about. If they have made it work I figured there was enough of a knowledge base here to figure it out as well.

 

[maverick 5582]

After much studying and consideration it seems like the Ubiquiti Nanobeam M5-16 Wireless Bridge (NBE-M5-16) would be a better setup than the ENS202. The guys @ EnGenius are proposing something similar in the EnGenius Technologies 2.4 GHz High-Powered, Long-Distance Wireless N300 Outdoor AP/Client Bridge (EnStation2).