SouthLoop Weather Camera Network 2019+

In 2014 I put an old AirCam I had managed to repair at one of my huts to look over a spot in the South Coast, data to the hut wasn't the cheapest but it was nice to see a wee place of paradise from afar. A year later I added another wee spot which overlooked the Waituna Lagoon breakout which required internet, a solar setup and another camera. In 2016 I set up one near Bluff Hill overlooking Foveaux Strait after some interest began to gather. So far under the umbrella of SouthLoop where extra core equipment to expand was gifted to, we have 8 cameras in Southland (2 low quality) and options for more sites where we can have them hosted.

Unfortunately so far it has been a relatively expensive exercise to get to where we are today with some sites needing Wireless or 4G connections for access and the odd trip to remote spots to repair older cameras or to clean the lens (spiders love the older plastic cameras). Our goal is to update all the sites to High Definition cameras (1080p) or 4K with zoom for prime spots and maybe eventually be able to stream video instead of just photos. Some of the existing sites need extra Solar power to stay on or keep battery levels up.

We hope to also add extra cameras to other areas around Southland (hilltop views over the Southland plains and recreational coastal spots especially) and are in talks with some interested parties about this if we supply the cameras.