DIY Big-Screen Target Cam System with High-Gain Antenna
Forum Member Okey developed a cool, low-budget, long-range target cam system that displays target views on a large, flat-screen TV. Initial testing shows the system works very well. The TV monitor is installed in a Shooting Shack that allows year-round shooting, even in cold weather. The big monitor allows shooters to easily see their groups from any shooting position in the shack.
Okey tells us: “Here’s a system my buddy and I put together. He is the brains behind it. I had the charge card. This is a home-made wireless target cam for long range shooting. It runs off a motorcycle or car battery. It uses a plain old camcorder camera, and a 2.4 GHz wireless digital link. The goal was to design something that has at least a 1000-yard range with good battery life. The transmitter puts out less than a watt, and runs on 12 volts. The camera runs on 7 volts, so there’s an on-board voltage regulator. The system draws a little less than one amp, so battery life estimate is simply the amp-hour rating of the battery. Everything was done to permit fairly rough handling, but it’s obviously not bullet-proof. It will last until somebody puts a 6mm hole in it.”
Back at the shack, there’s a high-gain receiving antenna, the receiver, and a wall-mounted flat TV. Okey notes: “Since the transmitter is fairly low power, we needed lots of antenna gain. We cobbled the system together and tested it at 100 yards before the conversion to DC power. It had lots of headroom, and should perform well without adding any more antenna gain. The system has worked well at 600 yards, with a reliable signal and good image. Look below for the image of the targets at 600 yards. We had the image zoomed to eight sheets of paper and could still see the hits.”
Recommended Equipment Sources
The 700mW 2.4 GHz A/V transmitter and receiver were sourced from ProtectionDepot.com. Combo price for both transmitter and receiver was a reasonable $179.00 (NOTE: it is $159.99 ON SALE right now, November 2013). The 2.4 gHZ, 24 dBi antenna cost only $57.99 from L-Com.com.
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Tags: 2.4 GHz, Camcorder, High-Gain, Remote Camera, Target Cam, TV monitor
NICE This will make it sweet for L. D. John
Great idea! Antennas to big for my range bag though! LOL
Guys
What would be required to have the image displayed on a laptop
Leo
Looks like mine, except for the antenna I use.
Good going!
Also at http://www.security-cams.com/pd24-700.aspx
Leo, you would just need a video capture card or device that is compatible with your laptop/OS.
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Guys
What would be required to have the image displayed on a laptop
Leo
<<<
This is not my field so if my question sounds crazy well understand. When you say you can take the system described above, buy a video card. I’m not familiar with video cards. What card? Can I move it from one laptop to another? Is there specifications to sync with the system above?
It sure would be nice to be able to go to the range set up and get parctice when I wanted to vs waiting for someone else so I can shoot 1000 yds.
Jimbo,
SD video cards are something new cameras use. THey can range from 256mb to 32gigs. You can find them at any store. ADam
Thats the same as I built a few years ago and it works very well at 1k. I believe it would work up to 1500 yds but have not tried it past 1k. I don’t use the high gain antenna. I use just the ones on the transmitter and reciever and show it on a portable dvd player. I use black and decker portable jump packs for power because they have 12v AND 110v power for the camcorder. Everything works great! I carry all but the jump packs and tripod in a laptop case. Fairly portable.
I bought this system. Now what cable do i ask for to connect the antenna to the receiver? The connections are not the same.