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Welcome to Chicago RAM Cam
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What is Chicago RAM Cam and Why do it?
What it is
Simply stated, Chicago RAM Cam is a mobile camera in my Dodge RAM truck that records images. It sees what I see as I travel. Scroll to the bottom of the page for the technical details of Chicago RAM Cam.
A benefit of the equipment I'm using is that I am my own rolling Hot Spot. We use this feature when we're traveling with our RV to stay connected to personal and work email and networks.
Why I do it
"I do it because I can" would be an easy answer but I think it's more than that.
I've had a webcam interest since 1999 or so. I've done a lot of things with them. A friend of mine has a mobile cam he uses to spotlight sunny Southern Florida. I guess all of these influences combined, compelled me to do it. I already had the camera and a mobile PC. I only needed to add the router, AirCard and antenna.
Technical Details
Image Capture:
Axis 2100 Network (IP) Camera, PanaVise xxx Suction Cup Mount, DC power
cable, Ethernet jumper
Transmission Gear:
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Junxion Box JB110b | Mobile Router | The Junxion Box™ wireless WAN router uses a patent-pending software platform to create an easy yet sophisticated, enterprise-grade, flexible and low-cost means of connecting fleets of computing devices like laptops, desktops, retail point of sale terminals and remote monitoring systems with the latest cellular data services from wireless carriers. |
| DC Power Cable & Outlet | |||
| Sierra Wireless 580 | AirCard | ||
| Wilson Electronics | Cellular Antenna | ||
| Wilson Electronics | Pigtail | ||
Recording
Gear:
With the Axis 2100 Network camera, comes Axis Camera Explorer (ACE).
ACE has a feature in it that allows the recording of frames as jpg still images
at whatever frequency is chosen. These frames can then be stitched
together as a video file or as an animated gif and put online on the
archive page.
Broadcasting
Gear:
As of 2-Jul-2006, I am not yet broadcasting. By the end of July, it is
my plan to be broadcasting from the camera, to a server at home, then out onto
the Internet. Bookmark this page and check back later for an update on
broadcasting.
Hot Spot:
As mentioned above, a benefit of Chicago RAM Cam
is that we are our own rolling HotSpot. We accomplish this by virtue of
the Junxion Box. The "b" model of Junxion Box indicates the router has a
built-in Wireless Access Point (WAP). The rubber ducky antenna was
replaced with a Sharper Concepts xxxx 3db gain Wi-Fi antenna that is mounted on
the roof of the RAM. An RF Industries N-Male to SMA Male adapter is used
to mate the antenna to the router.
| All Cams | Image Archive | RAM Cam Main | Still Image | Stream | What/Why |
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