Off-Grid wireless network

Rokkprojekk · November 30, 2021

I am curious if anyone with more networking hardware and software knowledge can tell me if this is possible and how to best achieve it.

Want: A wireless network at my family's ranch that can link trail cameras/security cameras over distances of 0.3 miles, which is the current furthest distance we go to from camp, and up to a maximum of 0.5 miles.

Currently there are 5 points of interest to be monitored. Live Video would be nice but is not required.

These systems would need to be low power since they will probably be powered by a battery bank and charged via solar panels.

I would like for the cameras to send pictures/videos to a host system that will be located at camp, which also does not currently have electricity.

Is this possible with off the shelf hardware? It feels like more of a pipe dream at the moment but I would like to be able to throw this kind of project on my resume at some point.

I'm unfamiliar but willing to learn to work with embedded systems if programming a chip is necessary. Plus I think it would be cool/fun.

Falcon1986 · November 30, 2021

6 minutes ago, Rokkprojekk said:

Is this possible with off the shelf hardware?

Unlikely. This is going to require some specialized equipment.

Take a look at PtMP (point to multi-point) wireless distribution. You'll likely need one or more sector antennae to cover parts of the radius around the base.

As for powering everything, you'll have to figure that out separately. Most of these devices can do OK with solar.

jec6613 · December 1, 2021

Sure, it's pretty easy to do in fact, with COTS hardware even, trail cameras that use motion sensors to trigger recording are common and can run off of a built-in solar cell and battery consistently. The gotcha, is that you may need a license to do it all.

The license-free ISM bands used by most 802.11 implementations are very power limited, half a watt at most, and run in the microwave frequencies which don't penetrate foliage well, let alone any sort of tougher obstructions. 2.4 GHz is a line of sight frequency range, being enough to go through a few sheets of drywall and that's about it. That being said, with some high gain directional antennas, you may be able to make it all work with solar and battery, and it's certainly the cheapest.

What you will need to do it properly is something in the UHF ranges, 300-1200 MHz or so, to penetrate well through woods and the like. VHF would work as well, but ends up being super bandwidth hungry and VHF band space is at a premium. GMRS and Amateur Radio both operate in those spectrums, let you get the 5W or so of power you'll need for image transmission, and the hardware isn't available with GMRS. Amateur TV though, that's definitely something you can buy - I warn you though, it's not a cheap hobby.

73!