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Power & Communication

Supply chain issues aside, we now have WiFi and power in our Nature Reserve. 

With the invaluable assistance and technical skill of our Network Manager - Mr Gardiner - the 30th May saw the installation of solar power, WiFi and a weather station. 

The day required that we establish a clear line of sight between the Nature Reserve container and the school building (a distance of around 2 football pitches).

The first series of tasks required the removal of the old external WiFi device and the location of the Ethernet cable and and connection points in the ceiling. If you ever wonder how water, gas, electricity and communications get to you in a school, lift up a ceiling tile and have a look. The ceiling is a very busy place!


Out with the old in with new WiFi access point


Now to figuring out the run of ethernet cables

Cable run eventually tracked down - time to feed to the nearest point


Once the building side of the installation was tested it was time to build our remote stations. Having a remote station requires more equipment than you might expect. Better secure a handy cart to move things around.

Check your equipment needs - 2 football pitches is a long way

Supplies on site, it was time to decide where to site the main equipment. Perfect line of site and solar position end left of the reserve store.

Choose the ideal point for power and WiFi

Ladder out and safe climb to the store roof. Check the position of the WiFi access point, and solar panel. Attach the weather station and feed the network and power cables to the power store and weather receiving station.

Solar panel securely in place at correct pitch for summer sun

Weather station in place - remember to orientate the WiFi


Check that power is being fed to the storage battery. Connect the WiFi switch and weather station. Even on an overcast day we are drawing less power than is being captured - result.

To minimise power draw, the ethernet switch uses POE. Also cuts down on power connections required.

View from the anemometer: 

Bird's Eye view

At this stage we now have WiFi tested - good speed of 50+ MBs some distance from the reserve store. All that with the early summer foliage doing its best to slow things down.

Systems in Place

Must remember to capture that precious rainwater. Water butt now connected to the roof of the reserve store. After the last two days I'm expecting to see a large amount of fresh rainwater.

Ready to capture

A busy and fruitful day. We now have our key infrastructure in place. Next steps, link wildlife cameras, identify bugs and check on the flora. All to come in Term 6.

Before we leave the reserve, time to check out this stage with the aid of drone technology: