Internet service to Canal Park area slow

Due to a large number of people in town for Grandma's Marathon, internet service to Canalcam and Bridgecam may bog down due to high traffic on the main service provider system. Speeds should return to normal by Monday.

New Hillside Cam Update!

It looks like it will be the end of next week (June 22) before the hanging bracket I need to install the camera arrives.  Everything else is ready.

Camera Update -- New Bridge Cam is installed

The new Bridge cam is installed. As usual, I will be tuning the setting over the next few days. I am hoping to get the new Canal Cam up tomorrow.

Hillside Cam repaired

I used some parts from an older cam to get the Hillside cam going again.  Happy boat watching!
Den

Boat Hotline

You may find the Boat Hotline helpful in tracking various boat traffic. The Hotline is managed by the Lake Superior Marine Museum Staff and is updated throughout the day. I have added the phone # 218 722-6489 to the Right Sidebar for your convenience.

Canal Cam Adjustment

Yesterday I tilted the Canal cam up a bit and increased the resolution of the video.

Let me know if you have any issues. My intent is the get all the cams streaming at the same HD resolution.

Den

Harborcam Update!

The generosity of harborcam friends never ceases to amaze me.  We started the Wisconsin Point Cam project two months ago when, after some coaxing from watchers, I decided to take another look at the possibilities.   After finally finding a location that had power available and an antenna system that had promise, I decided to give it a go!   Wiring modifications needed to made ($2400) a camera purchased, ($1800) and antenna system ($500).  

Along with this work, additional work needed to be done by the Corps of Engineers on the Lighting system.

Within a few days of starting the fundraiser (during the off-season) we had enough money to go ahead.  (amazing)

With some weather delays, the Wisconsin Point Cam Project was complete a few days ago. While we had to make a few compromises, such as not having the cam exactly facing the canal due to safety concerns of having to hang out over the canal to work on the camera, and the fact that boats block the transmission signal for a few minutes while they pass alongside the camera, overall I think it turned out great.   The video stream is stable and picture quality is very good. 

My biggest concern was the quality of the video stream over the 6.5 miles distance from the Superior Entry to my office (I call Harbor Hub).  The Wi-fi antenna was easy to align and so far so good.  We'll see how it works in fog.

Also, it should be noted that this is a joint project with the Lake Superior Maritime Museum and you - all of the 120 folks that helped raise the $4500 for the project and the daily visitors.  I am happy to have been part of this, it is unusual for joint efforts to go as smoothly as this did.

Besides the two cams in Two Harbors (Two Harbors Chamber and LSMMA) and the cams at the canal (LSMMA)  there are now six cams, an AIS antenna, and marine scanner) all streaming through the Harbor Hub).

So, I must admit, I love the cams, but mostly the fact that so many other folks get enjoyment from these little windows to the world and a small peek at the beauty of the Northland.

Thanks again,

Den

 Camera and Antenna at Wisconsin Point

Light Pole

Antennas on the Harbor Hub (my office)

It's beginning to look like a police station. 

Superior Entry Cam Update!

FYI,

Just an update on the progress of the Superior Entry Cam.

Wiring for power is complete
The antenna system is installed and tested
The camera is installed and tested

There is some router programming and set up left to finish.

We have made a lot of progress today and I am hoping to get the cam online by the weekend.

Thanks,
Den

Canal Cam Icing

FYI,

There is a small heater inside the case of the canal cam that will melt the ice, however, it is building up faster than it can be melted.  Once the winds change, it should clear up.

Camera Update

Just an update on camera stuff.
1. I was able to get on the roof of the GLA this morning and make some final adjustments to the new GLA cam.

 2. Work will be starting this week on the new Superior Entry camera.

 3. The Pier B cam is set up to auto change views.

Superior Entry Webcam Update!

With April here, I thought I would give a stutus report of the Superior Entry Cam project. The camera is ready and tested. The communications antennas have been programmed and are ready for further testing. Electrical wiring to upgrade and prepare for the camera installation has been delayed due to weather and judging by the forecast may still experience some delays. This has been a long winter and it is going to hang on for a bit longer. We have enough money to pay for the wiring upgrades, so, it is just a matter of a few more weeks, although, there is bound to be some glitches, especially with the communications. That's all I know for now. Den

Complete GLA Camera Failure!

Update: 17:30 - Thanks to the 25 people who donated to the GLA cam replacement. I just ordered the new cam and it will be here next week.

Amazing that we can raise nearly $1000 in 5 hours.  - Thanks so much. The new camera is the same model that was installed at the Two Harbors Boat Launch. I will hang on to the old one for parts.

12:00 - I was able to get on the roof of the Great Lakes Aquarium this morning after not being unable to access the camera remotely after multiple resets.

After testing the power supplies on the roof, I had to remove the camera for testing on the bench. It appears that after 4 years of continuous operation the camera has completely failed.
The GLA is a great location for a camera and I will start another fundraiser to replace this camera.

The good thing is that everything is in place for a new camera and it shouldn't take long to get a new one in service.

And so it goes!

p.s. - Wisconsin Point is stilll moving forward.

Congratulations -- Wisconsin Point Webcam funding complete!

In a few days we raises over $4200 for the new Wisconsin Point Webcam. 
Your generosity never ceases to amaze me.  Here is the plan for the cam!

• Next, I have to program and test the long range radio antennas.  
• The camera installation will be done in conjuction with a Corp of Engineers lighting upgrade project at the same time. Once the weather warms up, the upgrades can proceed.
• I have the camera on order and should be able to have it programmed and ready once the project begins.

My hope is that the installation will be complete sometime in April.  I will keep you posted as advances are made. I do expect some glitches with this project as it is a long distance to transmit a video signal.  However, I am confident it will work after some tweeks.

Thanks again, over 120 people contributed to the new cam---- simply amazing!

Den

Camera Cold Weather Operation

FYI,

With arctic temperatures moving in by the weekend, the cameras may experience occasional cold weather shutdowns to protect their electronics, intermittent operation, and frosted lenses.

While I expect these mainly to be in the overnight hours, with a high of -5F by Christmas day, there may be other issues.

I plan on running the cams straight through the offseason the best I can.

That said, some of the most beautiful scenes of the year will occur when the temperatures are below zero, so, hope for the best.

Camera Fundraiser!

The purpose of the current camera fundraiser is to pay for the 2018 internet access and streaming service.

We currently have 9 cameras that cost 360/year to stream, plus internet service to the hillside location where there are currently five cameras accessing the web at a cost of $1080/yr.

So, having the internet services paid for 2018 (total $4320) will cover a significant part of our 2018 operating budget.  Additional camera projects and upgrades may require another fundraiser when the time comes.

Thank you so much for your support in this effort, visitors to this site are very generous, and every cent donated goes into operation and maintenance of our cameras.

Happy Boat Watching!

Den

Maritime Visitor Center Roof Replacement

Roof replacement continues on the Visitor Center. Eventually the fence will come down.

Two Harbors Camera Update!

Two Harbors cams are ready to be installed, however, the weather just hasn't been good enough to crawl around on roof and mess around with wiring.

Just waiting for some good weather days so the installation can be done safely by the technician team.

Hoping for a May 15th startup.

Thanks for your understanding!

Two Harbors Camera Fund - Update

Two Harbors Camera Project
Update - 3/28/2017 - 14:30

A big thanks for the donations to the Two Harbors Cam fund. You folks never cease to amaze me with your generosity.

In less than 24 hours we raise over $1900.  More than enough for the project (I hope).

I will put any excess funds into the operating fund.

All the necessary material is on order and we'll get working on it soon. I hope to have it running by May 1 and will keep you posted.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3/27/2017
In a joint effort between the Lake Superior Maritime Marine Museum, US Army Corps of Engineers, Two Harbors Chamber of Commerce and duluthharborcam.com we will be installing two new cameras in Two Harbors.  One will overlook the boat launch and old lighthouse while the other will watch the breakwater lighthouse and incoming boats.

I have started a fund raiser to pay for part of the cost, while the LSMMA has graciously paid for one of the cams already.

Installation can move forward once the rest of the funds are raised.  I will keep you updated on progress throughout the project.

As you know, Two Harbors is a very active port and will be interesting to watch.

Thanks so much,
Den

P.s. sorry, I am not a 501c3 yet, so your donations are not tax deductible.

Video resolution increase

I have increased the video resolution a bit on the canal and bridge cams.  If it creates any major problems with your streaming, let me know as a reply on this post and I will scale it back.

I am just experimenting with the cameras.

Camera Operation Today!

FYI,

I will be down at the harbor all day and will not have access to the camera controls.  I hope everything runs OK, but, there has already been 15,000 viewers, which may affect operation.

I apologize in advance if something breaks, and I will do my best to keep thing running through the weekend.

I will also post images from my cell phone.

Happy boat watching,
Den