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Target Cams

longeye51

Private
Full Member
Minuteman
Jul 29, 2011
25
0
Collin County, Texas
I am looking for plans to build an <span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-weight: bold">affordable</span></span> wireless target cam system with a range of 1 1/2 to 2 miles. Has anyone made one, have plans for one or know where I could find plans for one? There are retail target cams on the internet, but the longest I could find only garunteed a 1000 yd range. I want more than that without having to break the bank. Any input would be appreciated.
 
Target Cams

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Re: Target Cams

That's a pretty long distance to try and bounce a signal with a limited budget. You can try some directional antennas (I've dabbled, but am not an expert) that can get close to that distance, but they can be finicky and lo-res.

How about an iPhone and iPad setup on Facetime or similar?
 
Re: Target Cams

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Redmanss</div><div class="ubbcode-body">That's a pretty long distance to try and bounce a signal with a limited budget. You can try some directional antennas (I've dabbled, but am not an expert) that can get close to that distance, but they can be finicky and lo-res.

How about an iPhone and iPad setup on Facetime or similar? </div></div>

Heck of an idea but you would still need access to Wifi to make the Facetime call. You would need two separate mobile hotspots for each device to piggyback off of and at $40/month each plus the cost of an ipad and/or iphone, it would get pricey.
 
Re: Target Cams

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: longeye51</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I am looking more in terms of traditional audio/video signal transmission than Wifi, i.e., video camera on one end and monitor on the other with a wireless connection. </div></div>

Don't mind me, just eating me words...
smile.gif
 
Re: Target Cams

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Dr. Phil</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Here ya go:
http://www.6mmbr.com/targetcam.html

As long as you don't mind a little DIY...</div></div>


Thanks for the link. I have seen stuff on Forrest Foster on the internet before. I tried to e-mail him, but the address is no longer good. I called the phone number and left a message and never got an answer.

This site has enough information that a person may be able to figure it out on their own. It would be better if it told what the transmitter/receiver Ghz is and the antenna gain. Anyone with any thoughts on that?
 
Re: Target Cams

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Max Owner</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Be interesting to get a reliable set up that the average schmuck can afford. That would work out to 2500 yards ish. </div></div>

That is my goal. If I can figure it out, I will share it. The cost secret might be to have a company so you can get the components wholesale (once you figure out the most cost effective, reliable components).
 
Re: Target Cams

just do the DIY setup. It's cheaper and you can get what ever high res camera you want...all it needs is a video/audo out.

Get a lower watage unit and add the proper directional antena (or a parabolic reflector behind the one it comes with) and you'll be able to get what you want.

http://www.vfmstore.com/tr24.htm
 
Re: Target Cams

As far as I can tell by the Forrest article, it is a very simple setup. Basically you need a video camera with a regular RCA output (they all have them), you connect it via an RCA type cord to the transmitter and apart from an energy source for the transmitter, that is it on the transmitter side.

On the receiving side, it is pretty much the same thing. The signal comes on to the receiver, comes out on its RCA output and directly to a TV which again has the RCA inputs. Again, you have to have a power source but that is it.

Apart from the video transmitter/receiver and the power source for them and the monitor, it is simple off the shelf items like video camera, monitor, and tripod.
 
Re: Target Cams

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: seanh</div><div class="ubbcode-body">just do the DIY setup. It's cheaper and you can get what ever high res camera you want...all it needs is a video/audo out.

Get a lower watage unit and add the proper directional antena (or a parabolic reflector behind the one it comes with) and you'll be able to get what you want.

http://www.vfmstore.com/tr24.htm </div></div>

This site looks good. If I can figure out how to make an inexpensive, but functional parabolic reflector, the cost should be fairly low as well. I would just have to add a camera as I can plug the receiver into my laptop. I take it with me for FAA weather information and ballistics software anyway.
 
Re: Target Cams

Think RC Planes....

Some of these guys use systems where the camera is used to fly the plane so they need good stuff.


http://www.raidentech.com/miwispyca.html

http://www.nitroplanes.com/wosmlora24gh.html

I had one of these in my plane, had the plane up 700 or 800 feet and when the directional antenna was pointing at the plane it was good.

Because you are using a fixed sy stem, the 12"x12" long range receiver antenna would be best, that's the ticket - I'll see if I can find that setup.

Save a few bucks, get a decent system and be happy.
 
Re: Target Cams

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ArcticLight</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Think RC Planes....

Some of these guys use systems where the camera is used to fly the plane so they need good stuff.


http://www.raidentech.com/miwispyca.html

http://www.nitroplanes.com/wosmlora24gh.html

I had one of these in my plane, had the plane up 700 or 800 feet and when the directional antenna was pointing at the plane it was good.

Because you are using a fixed sy stem, the 12"x12" long range receiver antenna would be best, that's the ticket - I'll see if I can find that setup.

Save a few bucks, get a decent system and be happy. </div></div>

Thanks, Arctic Light. I'll wait to hear from you on the antenna setup.