I am a bit disappointed with response to my call on general forum, so I repeat this idea for out local area.

Wouldn't, be it nice to have constant picture from our favorite spots : Shearwater, Corrumbin, Wellington Point, Train, Manly ?

We could check out who is there , what conditions are before we decide "if" and "where" to go today.
There are only a few spots to cover and so many of us - users. Shouldn't be too difficult to do if we join our forces !

so here it is reprint of my proposal:

"Are there something like that already in existence?

So many mobile phones and tabs could take pictures and send by email.
If WE could find a cheap phone with internet access and camera, hang on street light post or something ( tree ), attach small , very small solar PV panel, battery will never get flat.
Phone could send a picture every 30 minutes to Seabreaze server from our favorite spots.
I think that finance could be easy raised among all us - wind and kite- surfers and shouldn't exceed $5 to $10 per spot. I think device shouldn't cost more then $200-400 including internet access per one spot.
We could write for formal consent to appropriate city council to hang our public equipment - web cam - on our public land.
I am first to offer $50 for webcam on my Shearwater, Gold Coast spot to our community pool rise money if that idea is do-able !

PS. Any problem with money? - ask you wife to sponsor - and she will be happy to see you still alive and in safe place ( not in the closest pub)"

The idea is nice Peter. Well, I dunno if you find someone who is willing to spend money on equipment that is 'hanging' in the tree ;) but indeed there have been proper attempts made already. Windsurfers tried to team up with hobby meteorologist as well:
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Windsurfing/Queensland/Wind-meter-at-Wello/?SearchTerms=webcam,wello
Unfortunately it didn't work out:
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Windsurfing/Queensland/Wello-Webcam/?SearchTerms=webcam,wello

However, services financially supported by the windsurfer community do not seem to work that well. Simon took his Manly weather station offline due to an increase in running costs (paid everything out of his pocket at that stage). Before doing so he asked around for financial support but not much response.

I reckon the best would be if Windsurfers use their smartphones to just post current conditions (as it happens from time to time). Btw. would be an easy, cheap and beneficial Seabreeze iPhone/Android App :)

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Macroscien said...

I am a bit disappointed with response to my call on general forum, so I repeat this idea for out local area.

Wouldn't, be it nice to have constant picture from our favorite spots : Shearwater, Corrumbin, Wellington Point, Train, Manly ?

We could check out who is there , what conditions are before we decide "if" and "where" to go today.
There are only a few spots to cover and so many of us - users. Shouldn't be too difficult to do if we join our forces !

so here it is reprint of my proposal:

"Are there something like that already in existence?

So many mobile phones and tabs could take pictures and send by email.
If WE could find a cheap phone with internet access and camera, hang on street light post or something ( tree ), attach small , very small solar PV panel, battery will never get flat.
Phone could send a picture every 30 minutes to Seabreaze server from our favorite spots.
I think that finance could be easy raised among all us - wind and kite- surfers and shouldn't exceed $5 to $10 per spot. I think device shouldn't cost more then $200-400 including internet access per one spot.
We could write for formal consent to appropriate city council to hang our public equipment - web cam - on our public land.
I am first to offer $50 for webcam on my Shearwater, Gold Coast spot to our community pool rise money if that idea is do-able !

PS. Any problem with money? - ask you wife to sponsor - and she will be happy to see you still alive and in safe place ( not in the closest pub)"

I did have a wind meter at manly with real time weather station, I did provide the service for free . But cost of internet plus hardware up keep was getting high so I sent an email/seabreeze note out, (also had donate button on website) to ask for donations of $10 a year to keep it going ( had three replys). Even though it got more than 400 hits a week . So I pulled the pin on it

check the seaway link!
it pans and focus on some spots

http://www.coastalwatch.com/camera/cameras_large.aspx?cam=1100&state=QLD

thanks to

www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Kitesurfing/General/kiteboarding-cameras-on-Coastalwach/

cant see much atm

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dafunk said...

check the seaway link!
it pans and focus on some spots

http://www.coastalwatch.com/camera/cameras_large.aspx?cam=1100&state=QLD

thanks to

www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Kitesurfing/General/kiteboarding-cameras-on-Coastalwach/

cant see much atm

Excellent, pity I need wait till morning to see how it works

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dafunk said...

check the seaway link!
it pans and focus on some spots

http://www.coastalwatch.com/camera/cameras_large.aspx?cam=1100&state=QLD

thanks to

www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Kitesurfing/General/kiteboarding-cameras-on-Coastalwach/

cant see much atm

Absolutely wonderful webcam. I had a glimpse on my favorite Shearwater today.
Imagine such webcam on every spot directly !! With zoom and real time details, panning left to right. One day such will be available on every spot, If not me my kids or grand kids at least will enjoy the view. In term of money and benefits I think that one extra overseas tourist magnetized by the view and brought here for holiday will cover a year of running costs.

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I did have a wind meter at manly with real time weather station, I did provide the service for free . But cost of internet plus hardware up keep was getting high so I sent an email/seabreeze note out, (also had donate button on website) to ask for donations of $10 a year to keep it going ( had three replys). Even though it got more than 400 hits a week . So I pulled the pin on it

One way to get web cams to pay for themselves is to charge a registration fee to be able to access the web cam. i.e. Pay $10 per user per annum to access the web cam. I would definitely pay this as the petrol I would use for one wasted trip is more than $10. (usually better than asking for donations)

If you get enough take up you can set up more web cams and so it goes on.

If you need help with this I can help

I found a website with some ok webcams for around Brisbane and weather stations for Raby Bay...
www.rabybay.org/

I have a gutter that whistles when it hits 20knots at Shearwater.

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evlPanda said...

I have a gutter that whistles when it hits 20knots at Shearwater.

I thought that was you farting with excitement.

would have been whistling this arvo then