Subject :Re:Summerfest 2012 "Bucket-Node" configuration/ construction Info Request
Hi Matt. What? You missed MY presentation at 10 and only came for Glenn's? :-( sheesh
(just kidding) The 'lollypops' are built as such: 5gal bucket, a 10lb barbell weight that fits the diameter of the bottom of the bucket, a couple 2x4 wood blocks (to stabilize the weight centering), and one of the Belkin UPS with a 12VDC output. THAT is the AC cable you saw. They last 12+ hours per charge with just a node attached, but we set them up Friday night, so plugged in where we could to keep them topped off. Below the weight is a piece of plywood cut round and has a 3/4" EMT connector drilled though, then the pipe fits through the weight's center hole and into that connector and comes up through the lid as you saw. Up through the pipe we run a chunk of CAT5 that has a PoE adapter on each end to get power from the Belkin up to the node. Reason for having the nodes up so high: Get the antennas above the ugly bags of water walking around, as water absorbs the 2.4Ghz energy.... They would work fine in setup with no one in the halls, but once the place fills up, signals would drop drastically. The original design/idea of the lollypops was a brainchild of one of the gents from the Plano Klub (PARK) for last year's HamComm. They worked so well, Brian KF5GAH built us up a set for down here.
Hope that answers the questions...
Jim K5KTF
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