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Fixed Wireless Equipment

Anybody Got a Light?

Who knew? In the wireless space, a strobe light or disco ball could be vital to your operation.

[November 30, 2004]

On the ISP-Wireless list in October, BR asked:

Has anyone been able to setup something that can turn on a flashing light or strobe and then turn it off again with out having to go to the antenna site? There is only power at the location, no phone or anything like that. A homemade option would be great.

Asked why he'd want to do this, BR responded:

To see it. This one site is very hard to see. Would make it a lot easier to be able to turn on a strobe when you're doing a survey and then off when you're finished.

[RS asked] "Could a remote power reboot unit be modified? First reboot turns strobe on and second turns it off, as in a CMOS flip flop circuit. Any techs know if it can be done?"

[JH suggested] "This is a possibility, if you can hook up an IP connection to the unit. It costs $275 though..."

BR replied:

I would need to put up an outdoor NEMA to house it. I would prefer a homemade setup. $275.00 would be just a little much. Someone mentioned a pager setup that could be used to re-power a site, how about to turn it on long enough say 5 - 15 seconds and then off? That's all that would be needed to find it.

[RS replied] "I would think you would only need this in daylight hours but would you be able to use one of those crystal balls they use in dance halls and let the sunlight sparkle off it. I have often been distracted by light reflecting off a window being opened. Just a thought but it would not need any equipment to switch on or off."

[BR disagreed] "With the winds here the thing would be wore out by the end of the day."

[TM suggested] "Get an old pager with a relay send one pager to turn on and another page to turn off. The pager needs to be an old numeric pager. If you wanna spend a few more dollars without having the monthly fees get a two way radio from radio shack (you got questions ... they gaze at you) and use the speaker as the trigger for the relay and mod the battery pack to a reliable power source.

A good pair of two way 5 mile radios would cost you $50 - 100 a relay. You can also get from radio shack for $10 some wire and solder (also $10), and to pay someone to do it ~ $100. That way, you have no recurring cost and can turn on and off the light until you are blue in the face."

[ML added] "Actually I called our local paging company and they suggested 'PAPA Pagers'. They ring once when called, vibrate for one minute and then go back to dormant. They are used for expectant fathers."

[PT noted] "APC makes something called a masterswitch. You assign it an IP address. It has 6 outlets I think. You can http into the unit and control each outlet separately. You could turn an outlet on and off. I can't remember what it costs."

[BR replied] "All good, but if you are only doing a survey with out accessing the unit yet.....Cost is also another factor. As to radios, to use it you have to be close. Ours can be up to 8-10 miles."

[IB wrote] "APC makes a 6/8 outlet switch but I believe the one you want is called a PDU (power distribution unit ) instead of a masterswitch. We use them in all our tower sites and they work great. I am assuming you are not alone and could call someone at office to turn on and off which just seems a lot easier than paging/celling/etc and /or monthly costs. That is really the easiest part.

The trouble we have had (and still have) is finding a cost effective bright light. For most of the day, the strobes and lights that I have tried are at best way to weak except in best situations. They work fine for night though. So if you find a cost effective really bright light (300,000 candlewatt is not enough), let me know."

Go to page two: Solving the problem