Has anyone here set up their own web cam at a gate?

[EFerrari]

I can't afford an alarm company and have to put something up at the gate to make sure these boarders don't leave it open at night and let their own horses loose. It's either that or murder and I don't want to go to jail. lol

The gate is about a quarter mile from the house. We have wifi up here but the range isn't great.

[HereSince1628]

1. Here's a link to how Cowboy Frank did it...

setting up a webcam
http://cowboyfrank.net/webcams/HowTo.htm

[EFerrari]

4. My installation would have to accomodate a camera outdoors.

I could use the same camera but would need an enclosure for colder or wet weather. We don't get snow here and rarely near-freezing temps.

Also, there's the problem of range. Somehow I'd have to boost the wifi range to make it go 1/3 of the way down the hill to the installation. The view is a straight shot, which is nice, but the installation would be about 150 feet outside of our present range. Maybe I should walk it with my laptop to double check that.

I'd love to hire someone to do this but all of our big appliances are timing out at the same time, so that's right out for now anyway.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

2. Here is an an alternate very low cost solution

Get an inexpensive wireless path light from a home improvement store. Wire a magnetic switch to the gate and have it interrupt the battery wire. Mount light where you can see it. This should be about a $20 solution.


I have done cameras. Good wireless cameras are more expensive than alarm systems. If all you want is visual confirmation the gate is closed, this kind of approach is much cheaper and reliable.

[EFerrari]

3. The problem with that is that people go in and out all day.

If I get a switch that tells me the gate is open but I can't see, it's not telling me enough.

I believe you completely about wireless cameras and also have monitored silent alarm systems.

However, there is no way for me to see out there from this part of the house. I'd have to get up and physically check it at some interval. Although, I'm not sure a pair of binoculars isn't the best solution. :)

[shinyhead]

5. wifi yagi.

Look up wifi yagi antennas. Set up right they can extend range as long as you have some kind of clear line of sight. I use a homemade cantenna to connect the main house to the outbuilding where my home office is several hundred feet away. Find a ham radio geek to help you if you can, they know a good bit about what you need to know to pull this off.