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Setting Up Your Own Wild Video Camera System

What do you need for a remote video system?

First, you need something worth looking at. Then you need legal and physical access to the remote site. Once you're sure of both, you need the technology. The basics include a surveillance video camera, microwave/UHF transceivers, power source (photovoltaic panels, wind generator, batteries), user controls and video monitors. Depending on the broadcast power of your system, you may also need a Federal Communications Commission license.

How do you assemble a system?

You'll need to have appropriate technical expertise or hire a consultant, engineering firm, or contractor who does. The Pratt chose to contract with a local firm, Alaska Industrial Security, LLC for development of the SeeBird camera system, but will now maintain and upgrade the system as required. Remote video systems can cost anything from several hundred to tens of thousands of dollars. The more cameras and other equipment you need, the distance you need to broadcast the signal, the complexity of your control and display components, and many other factors will determine your actual cost. The SeeBird camera system was built to provide an example of the middle ground. Anyone should be able to replicate it at a similar or lower cost (this kind of technology always grows less expensive with time).

What did it cost?

The total cost for developing the SeeBird camera system was $37,008 in 2002. This included all equipment, engineering, installation, and testing. The overall budget for the SeeBird Program was $80,000 but that included much more than the system itself. As a demonstration project, a large amount of staff time was devoted in researching potential vendors and service providers and communicating with other people and organizations involved in remote video applications. Costs were also incurred through exhibit modifications at the museum, video documentation of the project, and dissemination of information (like putting it on this web site).

What's Included In the SeeBird System?

The following is a list of SeeBird system components utilized in 2002. Except for televisions, television mounts, and time laps VCRs, costs generally include a 30% contractor's markup. While direct purchase of all components could save this amount, it might be offset by the cost of additional staff time. More specific information about individual components is available upon request.

Field Equipment

• 1 SeeMore Wildlife 300-T Camera Module
• 2 BP Solar 275, 75-Watt panels with cabling
• 1 Two Seas Side-of-Pole, Universal, aluminum two-panel mount
• 2 Concorde, 45 amp hour glass matte, non-hazardous batteries
• 1 Weatherproof housing for electronics
• 1 Premier Wireless B500-510, 2.4GHz 4-channel video transmitter
• 1 RF Neulink, UHF 430-470 MHz transceiver with cabling
• 1 California Amplifier, 24 db parabolic dish antenna
• 1 Maxrad, 11.3 db gain, 5 element, UHF antenna and cabling
• 1 Custom fabricated, aluminum batteries/regulator housing
• 1 Custom fabricaed, aluminum camera mount

Base Equipment

• 1 Premier Wireless B500-510, 2.4GHz 4-channel video receiver
• 1 RF Neulink, UHF 430-470 MHz transceiver
• 1 Weatherproof housing for power and electronics
• 1 Pelco KBD 300, joystick/push button controller
• 1 Assorted coaxial, BNC, and RCA cable ends and connectors
• 1 California Amplifier, 24 db parabolic dish antenna
• 1 Maxrad, 5 element, 11.3 db gain UHF antenna and cabling
• 1 Custom fabricated, aluminum antenna/Electronics mount
• 2 Sony KV27S40, 27" televisions
• 2 Peerless 27" Television wall
• 2 Sony SVTL200 time lapse VHS VCRs

Equipment Vendors, Engineering Firms, Service Providers

The SeeBird remote video system is a marriage of equipment from the security/surveillance and telecommunications industries. More firms are beginning to target the growing interest in application of this technology for research and educational purposes. This makes it increasingly easy to assemble a system that will meet individual project needs at an affordable price. We can only list some firms here. Other engineering firms and manufacturers or dealers of specific components such as surveillance cameras, solar panels, antennas, and transceivers can easily be found by searching the Internet. Because of staff limitations, it was not practical for the Pratt Museum to search out, select, and purchase individual components from various manufacturers. It was determined to be more practical for the museum to either purchase an equipment package or hire a contractor to obtain and assemble the equipment needed. We opted for the latter course.

After extensive review of the marketplace, the Pratt Museum settled on the following eight potential sources of equipment and services:

A contract was ultimately awarded to Alaska Industrial Security, LLC to select, procure, install, and test all components for the SeeBird System. AIS obtained specialized equipment from the following sources:

The weatherproof circuit boxes, cable and connectors, television and wall mount, time lapse VCR and other assorted components were obtained from ordinary, retail or wholesale outlets.

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