What a excellent bit of apparatus is Jon Wood's latest (Mk 10 ?!!) panning camera. Pity I don't have a boat on the moorings to watch these days, but am sure those who have much appreciate it. I believe the farmer on the far side of the Lune is using it to see his cows are OK.
How about one for the slip and view downriver next John/David! It would be great for the far-away members to see the comings and goings of boats etc - and without perhaps the pink grass we see on the stationery rather outdated current cam!
Well done John
AGRound - and that's really my apt name these days!
Moorings stream cam
Re: Moorings stream cam
Thanks for that Alan, glad it is appreciated. I must admit it is a labour of love though had a rest from it for a while.
The Mk11...
mooring software is under way and hopefully will have a bit more autonomy so that it does not pause on moorings that are vacant or miss pausing when they come onto the mooring.
I normally have to re-program it from home but with the temperament of computers sometimes caused a crash will all the ramifications of waiting until someone was available to kick them back too life... so even though the autonomy can not be 100% it will be better than the present system..
As for the view of the Jetty/dinghy racing and river traffic I have already built the cam, written all the software and got a computer ready (Thanks to Mick) , Idris has manufactured a fantastic bracket for the roof of the OD hut.
I wrote a quite complex software suite, in the really world may fall flat on it's face but certainly will need quite a bit of feckling. Hopefully if it get's near to it's design it should be nearly fully autonomous with light sensor, rain sensor, heater,thermostatic cooling fan,vertical, horizontal panning with auto variable zoom and boat tracking..
It will hopefully take a snap of the start and end of any dingy racing with time stamp along with occasional snaps of the race so should help the dingy racers, all these will be down loadable.
All tested and design was done using 10's of photos and movies I took, as you well know the waves, lighting, tides, poor visibility will be the greatest challenge to reduce false detection, not to add the ever changing background/ foreground that all have to be accounted for, sort of got to know it's limitations.
Just been so busy that I have not installed it as it will take quite a bit of time setting it up over a week or so, David has been also been very busy with family and the barge so the back burner has kicked in.
I am sure in the near future we may turn the back burner off!
It's a pity Michael Swarbrick did not join again as he was my inspiration and gave me advise on lots of dinghy formalities that are required as I know less about dinghy racing as I do about sailing..and that's not a lot..
so thanks Michael and I think I speak for loads of members you helped and directed in all dinghy matters and more,
Cheers
John
The Mk11...
mooring software is under way and hopefully will have a bit more autonomy so that it does not pause on moorings that are vacant or miss pausing when they come onto the mooring.I normally have to re-program it from home but with the temperament of computers sometimes caused a crash will all the ramifications of waiting until someone was available to kick them back too life... so even though the autonomy can not be 100% it will be better than the present system..
As for the view of the Jetty/dinghy racing and river traffic I have already built the cam, written all the software and got a computer ready (Thanks to Mick) , Idris has manufactured a fantastic bracket for the roof of the OD hut.
I wrote a quite complex software suite, in the really world may fall flat on it's face but certainly will need quite a bit of feckling. Hopefully if it get's near to it's design it should be nearly fully autonomous with light sensor, rain sensor, heater,thermostatic cooling fan,vertical, horizontal panning with auto variable zoom and boat tracking..
It will hopefully take a snap of the start and end of any dingy racing with time stamp along with occasional snaps of the race so should help the dingy racers, all these will be down loadable.
All tested and design was done using 10's of photos and movies I took, as you well know the waves, lighting, tides, poor visibility will be the greatest challenge to reduce false detection, not to add the ever changing background/ foreground that all have to be accounted for, sort of got to know it's limitations.
Just been so busy that I have not installed it as it will take quite a bit of time setting it up over a week or so, David has been also been very busy with family and the barge so the back burner has kicked in.
I am sure in the near future we may turn the back burner off!
It's a pity Michael Swarbrick did not join again as he was my inspiration and gave me advise on lots of dinghy formalities that are required as I know less about dinghy racing as I do about sailing..and that's not a lot..
so thanks Michael and I think I speak for loads of members you helped and directed in all dinghy matters and more,Cheers
John
' what you forgot is still there, it's just a matter of remembering where it is! '
Re: Moorings stream cam
Well done John & Dave (for the anemometer as well) now how about sneaking a camera on No.1 then we can see what conditions are like
I spent most of my money on Booze, Women and Boats. The rest I wasted.
We're born naked, wet and hungry - then things get worse
We're born naked, wet and hungry - then things get worse
Re: Moorings stream cam
New project sounds fantastic John - money (at least GSC's) couldn't buy this expertise. If its half as good as your expectations it will be an absolute gem for the deskbound sailors and more so for the actual racers.
If the foundations of my efforts to place a video cam on the roof of the OD box are still there we made it to fit the bottom half of a plastic 45gallon drum with a slit cut in for the camera - which worked OK until it blew away in one of the winter gales. We may still have some of the grey drums around if any good to you, although I realize your camera may need something more substantial or be inside.
Best of luck, and keep up the good work, Alan
If the foundations of my efforts to place a video cam on the roof of the OD box are still there we made it to fit the bottom half of a plastic 45gallon drum with a slit cut in for the camera - which worked OK until it blew away in one of the winter gales. We may still have some of the grey drums around if any good to you, although I realize your camera may need something more substantial or be inside.
Best of luck, and keep up the good work, Alan
Re: Moorings stream cam
Don't get David started, I can see GSC's own weather, wave buoy being manufactured on the farm as we speak...
Alan, beer barrel I hope...
I think the case I have built may be OK though after seeing the gales go through it is more of a challenge than I first thought....
.
Idris's bracket would stand a hurricane with ease super job, hope my side does not let it down..sandbags to the ready...
John
Alan, beer barrel I hope...
I think the case I have built may be OK though after seeing the gales go through it is more of a challenge than I first thought....
.Idris's bracket would stand a hurricane with ease super job, hope my side does not let it down..sandbags to the ready...
John
' what you forgot is still there, it's just a matter of remembering where it is! '
Re anemometer
Hi Alan, I must come clean on this one - the new anemometer is still at home, I haven't fitted it yet. Last week the old one "fixed itself", so with no other reason to come to the club, I procrastinated, and now I fear it is faltering ( flat -lining) again. see here for a very full weather history. :
http://www.wunderground.com/personal-we ... ILANCASH53
I'm going to be up for the work party next weekend, when I shall definitely fit it, which reminds me, I probably need to send all the members an email to remind them about the sea wall repair.
cheers, David
http://www.wunderground.com/personal-we ... ILANCASH53
I'm going to be up for the work party next weekend, when I shall definitely fit it, which reminds me, I probably need to send all the members an email to remind them about the sea wall repair.
cheers, David
"People who can breathe underwater when knocked unconscious dont need life jackets"
Re: Moorings stream cam
I've been making good use of this recently, now that Lydia is on her mooring and I am away. I think it is really useful for my peace of mind seeing her sitting out there waiting for me...
But... Have the settings changed John? I have not checked in for a few days while without internet access (am on a vessel in the North Sea off Norway, so not so easy!) and just checking this morning as we mooch up a fjord, I see no sign of Lydia (gulp), but if I am not mistaken, the pan seems to not reach where she should be, hopefully.
Would if be possible to get it panning that far again? I know she is right at the extreme end of the sector, but I would very much appreciate being able to keep an eye on her while I am not able to get there myself.
All the best, Jem.
FFPV Stornes, Sandnessjoen.
But... Have the settings changed John? I have not checked in for a few days while without internet access (am on a vessel in the North Sea off Norway, so not so easy!) and just checking this morning as we mooch up a fjord, I see no sign of Lydia (gulp), but if I am not mistaken, the pan seems to not reach where she should be, hopefully.
Would if be possible to get it panning that far again? I know she is right at the extreme end of the sector, but I would very much appreciate being able to keep an eye on her while I am not able to get there myself.
All the best, Jem.
FFPV Stornes, Sandnessjoen.
Re: Moorings stream cam
And lo and behold she's back!
Thank you... or maybe this is some intermittent thing? Not always panning so far?
Cheers, Jem.
Thank you... or maybe this is some intermittent thing? Not always panning so far?
Cheers, Jem.
Re: Moorings stream cam
Unfortunately the video stream is inconsistent, one minute we get 2 fps which seems about the best then can drop to 1 frame per 10 seconds.
I will have a word with David as he looks after this side of things and see if it can be improved or knows the reason this inconsistency in stream speed.
It frustrates me beyond belief as the camera is working great and is doing full pans with the programed pauses 24/7 .
Sadly the effect you see is it does not pan far enough or boats are not displayed or the cam is stuck showing the same view...arrrrggg.
More to the point,moored boat owners quite rightfully worry about their boats, especially after Springs or gales as I have in the past.
Rest assured the cam is working perfectly and is programmed to see all moored boats so lets hope we can improve the stream and your restless sleep....
cheers
John
I will have a word with David as he looks after this side of things and see if it can be improved or knows the reason this inconsistency in stream speed.
It frustrates me beyond belief as the camera is working great and is doing full pans with the programed pauses 24/7 .
Sadly the effect you see is it does not pan far enough or boats are not displayed or the cam is stuck showing the same view...arrrrggg.
More to the point,moored boat owners quite rightfully worry about their boats, especially after Springs or gales as I have in the past.
Rest assured the cam is working perfectly and is programmed to see all moored boats so lets hope we can improve the stream and your restless sleep....
cheers
John
' what you forgot is still there, it's just a matter of remembering where it is! '
Re: Moorings stream cam
Great stuff John.
Was looking like a beautiful morning, with what looked like a light mist rising and a flock of Canada Geese passing the cam, but... no boat. Now showing and I am happy again.
Cheers, Jem.
Was looking like a beautiful morning, with what looked like a light mist rising and a flock of Canada Geese passing the cam, but... no boat. Now showing and I am happy again.
Cheers, Jem.
Re: Moorings stream cam
Would you Adam n Eve it, just looked at the stream and back to 2 fps..great..
While it is running OK does anyone know if Curlew and Suzi are back in the park as I can program their pause out.
I do know they went to Piel so not sure if they may still be up there.
cheers
john
While it is running OK does anyone know if Curlew and Suzi are back in the park as I can program their pause out.
I do know they went to Piel so not sure if they may still be up there.
cheers
john
' what you forgot is still there, it's just a matter of remembering where it is! '
Re: Moorings stream cam
I think they are both back John
How about cameras in the park for web users?
How about cameras in the park for web users?
I spent most of my money on Booze, Women and Boats. The rest I wasted.
We're born naked, wet and hungry - then things get worse
We're born naked, wet and hungry - then things get worse
Re: Moorings stream cam
Hi Mick,
Funny ground..not hardcore.. Just that some members may want privacy and may not like the idea of people watching them...you know how PC the world has become...
I personally would not mind people looking over my boat, I suppose a slow panning cam would not cause voyeurism and perhaps pausing on members boats that agree and may put some peace of mind that their outboards/ hatches etc are OK, not to mention gale damage, loose sails etc.
Could be put to members and the committee to see what the consensus of opinion is.
I think we may have enough bandwidth.
Cheers
John
PS hope to be up this Saturday if the weather is OK...Working on an underwater Magnetometer to hopefully help Idris find his chain, early days but breadboard seems to work with a few snags to try and sort out..
Funny ground..not hardcore..
Just that some members may want privacy and may not like the idea of people watching them...you know how PC the world has become... I personally would not mind people looking over my boat, I suppose a slow panning cam would not cause voyeurism and perhaps pausing on members boats that agree and may put some peace of mind that their outboards/ hatches etc are OK, not to mention gale damage, loose sails etc.
Could be put to members and the committee to see what the consensus of opinion is.
I think we may have enough bandwidth.
Cheers
John
PS hope to be up this Saturday if the weather is OK...Working on an underwater Magnetometer to hopefully help Idris find his chain, early days but breadboard seems to work with a few snags to try and sort out..
' what you forgot is still there, it's just a matter of remembering where it is! '
Re: Moorings stream cam
Don't everybody have a gradiometer sitting in their sheds?hinasmoon wrote:PS hope to be up this Saturday if the weather is OK...Working on an underwater Magnetometer to hopefully help Idris find his chain, early days but breadboard seems to work with a few snags to try and sort out..
http://www.seatronics-group.com/equipme ... ometer-484
Re: Moorings stream cam
Hi Alan.
Mine will be much simpler, requiring a person with not quite neutral buoyancy ( you would be ideal with your metal knee) to be towed along the bottom with a compass in your hand. Upon a magnetic deviation you would be required to switch an led on which is displayed on the towing boat, Idris would then note the GPS position.
This may take a couple of hours or so to extract the most accurate lay of his chain, I therefore suggest perhaps taking a packed lunch and some liquid refreshment. At the very least two slices of bread as there would be quite a few fish down there to place between the slices and perhaps a cordial as there will be quite a bit of water to dilute it.
So how are you fixed? Only got to work out the air supply, a minor problem compared with a design to stop you bouncing along the bottom as you are towed...any ideas or input would be appreciated...
Cheers
John
Mine will be much simpler, requiring a person with not quite neutral buoyancy ( you would be ideal with your metal knee) to be towed along the bottom with a compass in your hand. Upon a magnetic deviation you would be required to switch an led on which is displayed on the towing boat, Idris would then note the GPS position.
This may take a couple of hours or so to extract the most accurate lay of his chain, I therefore suggest perhaps taking a packed lunch and some liquid refreshment. At the very least two slices of bread as there would be quite a few fish down there to place between the slices and perhaps a cordial as there will be quite a bit of water to dilute it.
So how are you fixed? Only got to work out the air supply, a minor problem compared with a design to stop you bouncing along the bottom as you are towed...any ideas or input would be appreciated...
Cheers
John
' what you forgot is still there, it's just a matter of remembering where it is! '