mkv
12-08-2009, 20:17
Hi Lads,
I've come across a possible high sight, node #852 on wind.
Thoughts?
It's in one hell of a position.. It's currently used as a fire lookout hut during summer months, but it's owned by Sanparks.
I have already made contact, after lots of bouncing round :), with the man to speak to. He hasn't said anything negative yet, he just asked for pictures of other high sights, etc.
I thought there was power to the sight as there is what looks like some old cell base station equipment inside, but apparently there isn't. So the main concern is if a Jupiter type solution is on the cards.
The building itself is very secure, with huge locking gates and mesh covered windows. It's not very easy to get onto the roof of the sight, but it is probably do-able.
Below is my correspondence so far:
---------------------------------------
My email to Chris
==============================
From: Mark Vernon
Sent: 07 August 2009 10:42 AM
To: Chris
Subject: CTWUG: Access to Hut near Elephants Eye
Dear Chris,
I got your name through Hennie Delport of Table Mountain Nations Park, apparently you are the person to speak to.
My name is Mark Vernon, I am a member of the CTWUG (Cape Town Wireless Users Group). The CTWUG is a non-profit open-for-all wireless network spread across the entire Cape Town area. Currently there are around 200 active connections on the WUG, and it is growing fast. The WUG survives primarily on high-sites, situated at strategic locations around Cape Town, to which users connect using specialist wireless equipment. These high sights typically consist of a few different antenna of varying physical sizes. They are by no means an eyesore, and cannot be classed as monstrosities of any sort. In most cases it is very difficult to even spot high sights unless one knows it’s there. The first step in putting up a new high-site is obtaining permission from the owner of the building or landmark that the high-site will be constructed on.
In this case I am particularly interested in the fire-lookout hut located near elephants eye at GPS coordinates LAT: -34.062341, LONG: 18.397631
I am a trail runner, and on Wednesday I ran past this hut on my way to Elephants Eye and thought that this would be a perfect high-site, due to its great Line-of Sight to other high-sites and potential “wuggers”. Peering through the windows the site appears to have power. The WUG high-site requires minimal to negligible AC power as the entire high-site can be run on one AC adapter type plug. The site also boasts good security with its mesh covered windows and bolted door. There appears to be the remains of an old cell base station in the hut, as well as there being one or two old antenna cables around it.
Would Sanparks be willing to grant CTWUG access to this site to setup a high-site? Perhaps we could setup a meeting with myself and one or two members from our committee to discuss further?
Kind Regards
Mark Vernon
CTWUG Member: MKV
Our website address: www.ctwug.za.net
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Reply from Chris
==============================
Mark,
Can you send me a pic of one of your sites? What sort of equipment have you inside the building and how expensive is it and how sensitive for damaging and vandalism?
There is no electricity at the lookout. Removable solar panels provide charging for the radio batteries. The lookout is already rented out to a forestry company from 1 Dec to 15 April annually and for dry periods which might occur during the “wetter” season.
Regards,
Chris
---------------------------------------
Awaiting his reply
==============================
So there you have it!
Mark
I've come across a possible high sight, node #852 on wind.
Thoughts?
It's in one hell of a position.. It's currently used as a fire lookout hut during summer months, but it's owned by Sanparks.
I have already made contact, after lots of bouncing round :), with the man to speak to. He hasn't said anything negative yet, he just asked for pictures of other high sights, etc.
I thought there was power to the sight as there is what looks like some old cell base station equipment inside, but apparently there isn't. So the main concern is if a Jupiter type solution is on the cards.
The building itself is very secure, with huge locking gates and mesh covered windows. It's not very easy to get onto the roof of the sight, but it is probably do-able.
Below is my correspondence so far:
---------------------------------------
My email to Chris
==============================
From: Mark Vernon
Sent: 07 August 2009 10:42 AM
To: Chris
Subject: CTWUG: Access to Hut near Elephants Eye
Dear Chris,
I got your name through Hennie Delport of Table Mountain Nations Park, apparently you are the person to speak to.
My name is Mark Vernon, I am a member of the CTWUG (Cape Town Wireless Users Group). The CTWUG is a non-profit open-for-all wireless network spread across the entire Cape Town area. Currently there are around 200 active connections on the WUG, and it is growing fast. The WUG survives primarily on high-sites, situated at strategic locations around Cape Town, to which users connect using specialist wireless equipment. These high sights typically consist of a few different antenna of varying physical sizes. They are by no means an eyesore, and cannot be classed as monstrosities of any sort. In most cases it is very difficult to even spot high sights unless one knows it’s there. The first step in putting up a new high-site is obtaining permission from the owner of the building or landmark that the high-site will be constructed on.
In this case I am particularly interested in the fire-lookout hut located near elephants eye at GPS coordinates LAT: -34.062341, LONG: 18.397631
I am a trail runner, and on Wednesday I ran past this hut on my way to Elephants Eye and thought that this would be a perfect high-site, due to its great Line-of Sight to other high-sites and potential “wuggers”. Peering through the windows the site appears to have power. The WUG high-site requires minimal to negligible AC power as the entire high-site can be run on one AC adapter type plug. The site also boasts good security with its mesh covered windows and bolted door. There appears to be the remains of an old cell base station in the hut, as well as there being one or two old antenna cables around it.
Would Sanparks be willing to grant CTWUG access to this site to setup a high-site? Perhaps we could setup a meeting with myself and one or two members from our committee to discuss further?
Kind Regards
Mark Vernon
CTWUG Member: MKV
Our website address: www.ctwug.za.net
---------------------------------------
Reply from Chris
==============================
Mark,
Can you send me a pic of one of your sites? What sort of equipment have you inside the building and how expensive is it and how sensitive for damaging and vandalism?
There is no electricity at the lookout. Removable solar panels provide charging for the radio batteries. The lookout is already rented out to a forestry company from 1 Dec to 15 April annually and for dry periods which might occur during the “wetter” season.
Regards,
Chris
---------------------------------------
Awaiting his reply
==============================
So there you have it!
Mark