Date:         Wed, 7 Sep 2005 13:21:37 -0700
Reply-To:     Matt Barclay <mbarclay@OPENFBO.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Matt Barclay <mbarclay@OPENFBO.COM>
Subject:      The Wasserputer
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed

http://gallery.openfbo.com/Wasserputer

I am a total geek.  The Asus WL-500G Deluxe access point is a computer
running Linux.  It has a wireless interface, ethernet, and two USB ports.
Other geeks figured out that we can hack the router and run our own
version of the Linux operating system (www.openwrt.org).  So I get one of
these and install it in my 1988 Camper.

Add a BU-303 USB GPS:

http://gallery.openfbo.com/Wasserputer/img_4069
(That's a sirius satellite radio antenna on the right, GPS on the left)

And add a Phillips Webcam (removed from its case):

http://gallery.openfbo.com/Wasserputer/img_4068

Then wire everything into the Vanagon electical system with a $12 5vdc
voltage regulator from Fry's electronics in a gutted computer power supply
case:

http://gallery.openfbo.com/Wasserputer/img_4060

Add a 7dbi external wireless internet antenna:

http://gallery.openfbo.com/Wasserputer/img_4064

And finally, run some Cat-5 ethernet cable to a second access point
mounted in the closet:

http://gallery.openfbo.com/Wasserputer/img_4063

That second access point provides local area wireless internet access
(Wireless ESSID: Vanagalan).

Ta Da!  Webcam images with GPS coordinates embedded in the JPEG headers.
All set for integrating into a Google Map.

The software to harvest webcam images is still in development, but the GPS
works great.  The GPS coordinates are served by a program called GPSD.

Email me if you're interested in recreating this in your camper.  Getting
software installed on the Access point was quite painful, but I have it
packaged for distribution.

Cheers,
Matt