Repairing a Wireless Monitoring Unit in the Outback

[@rogerbarr2671]

I personally found this episode very interesting! I’m a private pilot (fixed wing) myself, which drew my to this channel in the first place. I’m a techo for a major Australian communications company, but have never seen anything like your private network before. You’ve done a fantastic job setting it all up and keeping it running. I never thought it would be possible to live stream from the middle of nowhere back to your home. But we’ll done Jack, a fantastic outcome for Prenti Downs.

[@jack_out_the_back]

Cheers Roger! I'm glad you like the variety! We're working on getting more out there. So I'm keen to get the entire property covered!

[@collinhowell2064]

Great to see Jack not giving into people telling it can't be done, life long learning and experimentation will always win, you have a great technology setup on Prenti, real time data allowing you to see issues as they occur rather than travelling constantly to check on stuff. Far more productive use of your time!

[@michaelwebster6219]

Problem is it's kind of east to do this but some kit will be locked down or you can only do what they want u te able to do normaly licence n what not what a company will have with a service or something they offer like CCTV and all the lits you can do the camrah n whatnot what are brilliant but it's useless unless u pay them the whatever a months fir you to record or view the feed live I want 2 cameras but I want to just click on to the feed address n view it when ever where ever and it be free I dont want to use the crappy software what probs not had a decent update in a long time yet stil forced to pay 30£ a month microwave link to the wells is how I think u do it and as it's very flat u get miles out from your gff I bet and every well a hotspot and a another microwave link to another direction and a camera and hotspot I do love what your doing I bet where I am some of the kit your Usain is prob lot ok in the uk we are very funny about us the public havein our own tow wide wifi signal from mine I would get told off I bet lol from the dti ofcom I prob need a licence hahah

[@johnsebar7807]

This was extremely interesting. It answered many questions I've wondered about. Like in the horse days it would take weeks to check on all the windmills but the water tanks were much bigger to make it work. Must have been a long dusty trail for pack horses. The modern technology is amazing. You can check all your water systems before going to bed and sleep well knowing they are all OK. For sure keep your efforts confidential, you did the research, and the effort to set it up. Would be pissed if some company used your work to profit. Like your sense of humour. Well done from BC Canada

[@esther_monaco]

Building runs in your dna. Seen machinery built by your grandad and dad and you keep it going. Impressive! Beautiful countryside!

[@danvandertorre]

very interesting microwave transceivers coupled into one starlink satellite communications unit at home using commonly accessible separate units combining them for your own use brilliant good to see you have the technological savvy to get it all working together.

[@blocka58]

And they (Townies) say ,the outback is flat and boring! What a magnificent place you live in. If I was younger I would swap in a heartbeat. So much to learn, so much to see, amazing.

[@AllTerrainAction]

Some really good content here, I actually watched your Starlink Mount review video.. then started watching a bunch of your other content this is great, thanks for the time to upload this stuff, its a real eye opener to some things as simple as what you've had to do here.

[@richardbraybon3245]

wow wow wow how good and informative is this vlog thank you so much from the uneducated cheers to you

[@SleekredruM61]

Fantastic video. 👍🇦🇺🍻 36:33

[@reddo84]

very cool set up. Nice vid Cheers Jim

[@christay21]

thats good to see the tec out there good on seeing it

[@SollysOnTheRoad]

Wow very interesting mate great work 👍👍

[@sNEAKYnIGHTmUPPET]

Pretty sure I could tell you exactly what you're running in the box, and up on the pole. well done!

[@jack_out_the_back]

Yeah we've made it open now for anyone to learn how to build, and are planning on making a series on constructing one for yourself, plus the configurations.

[@andrewrobinson2869]

Nice work Jack.

[@peterzweck1763]

Hi Jack, thanks for the video! I originally started watching it to see how the Savannah went...I want to build one one day, but also enjoyed seeing your network. We cobbled together a similar solar powered remote camera over 20 years ago on our (small) farm. It had a solar panel and deep cycle battery powering a small (for the time) 12V computer running Linux, usb camera, web server and various open source software and shell scripts (my brother's in IT) grabbing pics at water troughs etc. The link was via 200mW PCMCIA WiFi cards and modified Pay TV microwave dishes. Range was a few km and we thought it was pretty cool at the time 🙂 Now that we have Starlink I'm gradually expanding our wifi footprint with Ubiquiti gear and want to set up cameras again. I'll be interested to see how you did it. Like you I avoid subscription based software and equipment like the plague!

[@einfelder8262]

It surprises me that there are so many doubters, since point to point and point to multipoint over long distances can be achieved with Ubiquiti gear at modest hardware cost. Not sure if the Ubiquiti gear would survive the outback conditions, but I have set up point to multipoint on a friend's 25 acre property so he has internet anywhere on the block, using the lower end Ubiquiti gear. It's been running faultlessly for about 7 years now. No doubt other manufacturers have similar gear which is even more powerful (and expensive).

[@jack_out_the_back]

We are certainly giving the Ubiquiti gear a good test out here. And we have only had failures on second hand equipment. Because we have no other interference we are getting very good performance out of it. I looked into Mikrotik, we are using it for a different application, and it's doing well in this environment as well. I went the UI gear because the configuration is a little more intuitive. I would like to test out Mikrotik gear though, CAPSMan looks good.

[@nakorau]

converting the stock poe injectors to 12 volts (with buck convertor) was simple with unifi gear as well.

[@whatyourlifestyle998]

Hi all. Dom records were alternative so we were told just resent. So much to keeping our history weather records.

[@roberthocking9138]

Great video

[@kendalls.358]

impressive tech,!

[@michealsummers714]

Well done for challenging the “experts”.. I read somewhere that the Wi-Fi distance record is circa 137 miles achieved by a Venezuelan amateur, using mainly off the shelf tech. 😊.

[@jack_out_the_back]

All the Wi-Fi tech we use is off the shelf, just the configurations we are using is unique, we should be able to pull a 100km link with some of the gear, but we run into issues like the earth :P

[@67hr74]

Hello Jack, Loving your video's as a Retired Chippy who grew up in NZ and did a bit of shooting etc. Now living in the Great Southern. Just wondering why your plane 19-8308 doesn't have a VH- registration. I guess it's classed as an experimental but if you could clear that up it would be great. I'm catching up on the back log of your videos too. Cheers

[@noahjbarr]

So back at the homestead you have a fixed wireless nbn antenna hooking to a modem which then the modem is hooked up to your dishes that send singles around the station? And what brand are all your cameras around the station? Anyway, amazing what you have done Jack👍

[@jack_out_the_back]

It's all sattelite, so at the homestead we have a starlink unit and a sattelite NBN connection uplink. Around the station we have a fixed wireless network that we have made ourselves. We use a few different brands of camera here.

[@noahjbarr]

@@jack_out_the_back Sounds good, what sort of history did you have in Precision Ag (as mentioned in the video)?

[@jack_out_the_back]

@@noahjbarr I was an integrated solutions specialist for a John Deere dealership over in Victoria before I moved to the station, I had worked for a few dealerships in WA and VIC, but Cervus (now Brandt) were quite proactive in pushing towards more integration between real time data a d decision making.

[@dishiedog]

So I'm watching Jack live steaming in the middle of nowhere and my NBN in Brisbane starts buffering. Ironic!

[@JuliMeetup]

Hi Jack. I'm really enjoying your home grown videos. May I hazard mentioning something I noticed whilst watching this video? At around 17:42 (min:sec) it looks like a solar panel for the pump (are the panels wired in parallel or series) is in shadow from the box/solar panel for the radio network. Might it be more expeditious to move them (at least to the other side of the windmill) to help reduce the shadow they throw onto the pump's solar panels?

[@jack_out_the_back]

Thanks! Most of our monitoring panels aren't shading the solar pump systems (they are in series). Fortunately we are getting away with it at Packhorse as it is such a good supply and its "over-paneled" giving it surplus. Our new Rapid Deployment Kits (TAJ-RDK) which we will be filming this week have solved this and a few other issues we have.

[@goldfieldsbushpilots9917]

Great video Jack, mate what do you think of the E prop your running on your plane, and what size prop are you running.

[@jack_out_the_back]

I really like it, I'd have to grab the ML to check the size as I didn't fit it. It performs really well, we use to have a Bolle.

[@duncanm6589]

Another good update Jack and Ant, was wondering what the rubber skirt things are around some of your 44 gallon drums in the hanger shed? Also looks like your loosing a bit of solar at Packshorse from the small shadow overshadowing your other big panel. Good to hear if you can’t find Ant he will be out at Packhorse watching the footy😂. Or maybe not given the Mozzies. 🦟 Good on you for looking after your IP.

[@jack_out_the_back]

Yeah we've changed a few due to the overshadow, we're improving our designs. The rubber skirt is a tire tube, to protect them from rubbing when transporting them.

[@jack_out_the_back]

Packhorse is shallow enough and produces well enough that the shadow isn't impacting the production levels.

[@duncanm6589]

@@jack_out_the_back I am sure you would have had it sorted and guessed you must have had excess capacity.

[@alasdairhamilton1574]

What’s your cruising altitude and when does the stewardess serve the inflight meal? 🛩️🍱👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@jack_out_the_back]

Usually 1000ft AGL and he's been letting me down recently, but that's because I forgot to replenish the bar snacks!

[@salmonhunter7414]

How many water points do you have ??

[@RhondaArmstrong-y3y]

Why not helicopter 🚁 Jack , glad Ant is enjoying your plan

[@craigpalmer9196]

Texan here, automated wx stations are out there and they are connected to the net. motives no no i will not go further

[@whatyourlifestyle998]

Like riding horses. Your not a horseman till you've had a 100 Buster's. So I was tolded by my Dad. Bless his sol

[@richardrogers7339]

Like a Rolls Royce they ever break down , just cease to function for a while 😊

[@StuTheFarmer]

I want to put wifi to my shed for a camera and internet access. Some of the quotes I’ve had are insane! The shed is 500 meters away. 2 cameras and a recorder 8k 😮

[@jack_out_the_back]

We have been working on releasing the simple design. But for a pointer have a look at our 100th episode where we are doing "finders keepers" As we build more we will record and make it easier for people to follow along 🤠

[@snafu22]

jack, can you start a live stream/cam channel on this or a new channel of different locations on the station. I’ve seen many on you tube from everything like zoo/animal farms to wild life to beaches etc. just thought it may add another level to what you want to achieve and possibly income as well? i don’t believe it an expensive or difficult exercise but it would give us viewers and the public more insight. anyway. just a thought love your work.

[@jack_out_the_back]

Yeah I'll have to check out options to do this! Could be fun

[@lizchatfield692]

Fake news so funny Jack. Good to see your part of the world thank you .

[@simonspooner2482]

I'm in Jack

[@bigunone]

I am confused is Ant a relative, guest or worker

[@jack_out_the_back]

He fits into all three categories. He's my dad's cousin, he's working with me, and he's been a guest here before.

[@bigunone]

@@jack_out_the_back Three for Three 🤣

[@williamsmith5514]

Jack , Jesus was told it could not be done , I dislike it when your not required to do that !

[@TheXaelem]

Funny how anyone can doubt the network can work. Hell, I make a living out of doing exactely this.

[@marksherwin9110]

Well I was going to ask what equipment your using for your solar panels, solar reg, charge controller, inverter, wifi transceiver.. The only thing you gave away is that your using 5GHz.. I guess there's no point asking that question now is there.. :) "Humour" I'm doing something similar. The solar system is built and operational with 700 AH of battery storage at 48volts, 5Kw of 230volt 50Hz supply to the shed with lighting and GPO's etc, all safe and approved. 4gx internet service via a 10m tall tower which is also distributed via WIFI to the shed and house.. I've guess I have a little advantage over many farmers in some ways.. I've a trade background and have worked in tech for the past 30 years.. Although on the other hand I take my hat off to you old school and new school farmer.. bugger you know some stuff, soil, fertilizers, grass, animals, fences etc. etc. Me I'm a textbook farmer but we'll give it a go.. The next "Tech agriculture" centric project is Solar in the paddock which will charge a couple of batteries and supply a diaphragm pump pulling water from the creek pumping to a header tank. The WIFI piece and camera are something I still need to investigate, test, fail, test and hopefully succeed on.. Like you Jack. I have not bought any off the shelf solutions, it's all been plenty of reading, asking advice, forum chats, you tube. Then design, purchase components and implementation. (and some arduino action and code cutting in the works) Saying that I'm not a gluten for punishment, where I could purchase a piece of equipment rather than invent it I did.. eg.. don't buy cheap internet solar regulators, inverters etc.. they don't last.. For example In my case I chose the Chineesium combined unit for a solar regulator, charge controller and inverter in one box of the Growatt SPF 5000ES with WIFI. It works beautifully with some limitations. Yes I would like Victron but the Growatt was 25% of the cost of the Victron equivalent.. Anyway I'm just banging on.. Bloody great video Jack and Ant.. Since Ant's appearance on the scene your video's have improved.. more comical, more interactive.. Ant your worth more money.. Maybe you could have a KZbin income % share deal with Ant.. That will get the old bloke even more reved up.. kzbin.infogaming/emoji/7ff574f2/emoji_u1f600.png If you want to talk tech Jack. Let me know. Thank you guys..

[@michaeldallimore8590]

I note the warning. Persons fly in this aircraft at their own risk. This airccraft is not required to comply with safety regulations for standard aircraft. That would fill you with confidence. I think Ant's description of a morotised kite is close to the truth? BTW are you running a 5GHz WiFi network over a large area with focused antennas or is there more to it.

[@jasonsullivan1000]

Did you look into LoRa for the sensors before you had 5g and starlink? I can only imagine that the biggest draw on power is the camera and switch...do you have any compute modules at each site? Sorry propeller headed and I'm getting a vicarious kick out of thinking how I would do something like this with time, money and motivation. Image / animal recognition, animal condition prediction, sensor data aggregation reporting and alerts...instumentation up the wazoo...I'd be a shit farmer though ;-) I wonder if there's a way to mark the animals individually when you bring them in so that when they travel to a water point the camera can see it classify it ...monitor its drinking maybe...bar coding a cow so it can be seen by a hd camera 30ft in the air and 50 meters away...dumb idea when I think about like that but....bluetooth? The animal would need a power pack...then you have to worry about collar maintenance...another dumb idea...but it could run on a schedule.. nano compute module takes a daily sample of skin temps and moisture...try's daily to send info as they come to the water point...too much power required...impossible maintenance...impossible conditions.....fun to think about though ;-)

[@salmonhunter7414]

The fuel will get you to the landing site whereever that is.