[NBLUG/talk] theft deterrent / security system

[Christopher Wagner]

I don't have anything to add to the security camera part of this, but
regarding the wifi range part, I've used Engenius indoor/outdoor access
points to set-up long-range 802.11 "backhauls" at customer locations. 
With half-way decent line of sight, I've gotten up to 1 km without any
problems (haven't tried any further).  I know that the equipment
supports far more with external directional antennas.  Generally my
set-up has been two Engenius access points mounted outside, that connect
via ethernet to internal access points or routers.  It's a bit of set-up
and equipment, but has been extremely reliable for me.  I've tried
"range boosters" and that sort of thing, and they've always been
horribly unreliable or not really any better.

Anyway, my two cents..

On 11/11/2013 11:08 AM, Steve S. wrote:
> On Mon, Nov 11, 2013 at 10:24 AM, jezra <jezra at jezra.net> wrote:
>
>> I'm thinking the "shape" should be a home-made rustic birdhouse, or
>> something else that blends into the surroundings. Currently, the
>> property has a shed, a trailer, and a bunch of oak trees. If well
>> disguised, the probability of the security system getting stolen would
>> be dramatically reduced.
> Yeah, I was going to say:  having your whole system (including the
> recordings/evidence) stolen would be a possible problem (even a
> "likely" problem... in the UNLIKELY event the robbers are even
> semi-intelligent).  I presume you'd solar-power the thing, with
> battery-array for nights?  Your set-up is getting bigger... harder to
> hide.
>
> I would *NOT* use a "game-cam" camera -- I bet some of these guys are
> hunters, and would spot it in a cold second... and be glad to take the
> extra profit !
>
> Another possibility:  invest some in better lens(es) -- telephoto --
> and set your system off a ways where it just won't be seen (telephoto
> lenses WILL be bigger than normal; but not too huge, as the cam-sensor
> will be pretty small).  Camo-gear to cover your set-up.  A solar-array
> is harder to hide, though... buried power-line, so the array looks
> like it's powering your trailer (mounting it on the trailer)?  I'm not
> sure how big your solar-array would have to be, to power things
> through (for example) a multi-day-storm where "daytime" only provides
> a small part of its usual charge; looting is more-common after big
> storms like that.  A flash-disk for storage would help with both size
> and power issues.
>
> A "fake" antenna/camera(s) could work (or at least help), with a big
> sign saying "video monitored off-site".  Any chance of getting (or
> faking) an "official logo/label" from one of your regional
> telecomm's-providers, so it "looks like" you've had a "genuine"
> (instead of DIY) installation?
>
> Finally, as Steve suggests (err... the OTHER Steve (I am *also* a
> "Steve S" -- an excellent name! ;-) ) , internet *might* be available,
> with a bit of extra effort:  off-the-shelf wifi can be range-boosted
> without too much cost, as a fairly-simple DIY project.  I've seen
> claims of multi-KILOMETER range achieved from a simple 802.11g home
> wifi router...  Maybe you and some neighboring property-owners could
> collaborate in sharing a multi-hop configuration to the nearest
> access-point?
>
>
> - Steve S (but not "sjs")
>
>