SANParks.org Forums

Hi Danie

1. Any time frame regarding when Satara Webcam will be up?

2. Nossob down since yesterday 11:30?

3. The spotlight at Orpen does seem to have been changed, we used to be able to "see" things behind the waterhole? See Cam Chit chat by Chinirda.

JJ

Hi Jungle Junkie

Satara is up again - was a cable problem on the switch. Was fixed by technician from Phalaborwa this morning.

Nossob is also online at the moment - bear in mind that the power at Nossob is generated by a generator and the signal is wireless to the camp and via satellite back to us..so the problem could have been anywhere.

The light at Orpen..not aware that anything changed there? Will check on that..

All three cams up again....pheeeew

Dear Web Cammers

All three webcams are stuck at 05:28 (beautiful sunrise I must add )

All the webcams are online and all links are up to the webcams (I can see the images in Pretoria) but for some reason the images are not getting to our webserver in the USA for you to see

The network techies are working on the problem!

Please note that Nossob webcam will be offline for quite a while. Not possible to tell how long it will be offline but if will be at least for the next week.

There is a cable problem and the cable has already been removed and it is on its way to Pretoria for repair/replacement.

I'll keep you posted.

That is very strange! I have received the information directly from Nossob informing me about the problem and that the cable has been removed and sent (on Friday 19 Mar 2010).

This must indeed be a ghost . I'll check again with the staff at Nossob. Perhaps they have added a temp cable?

Any indication when we may expect the Nossob webcam to be back on line?

Hi PeterJ

Danie posted the above message on the 23rd

JJ

I know, but today is already the 26th? Hmmm...wonder how long it takes to replace a cable? posting.php?mode=reply&f=47&t=4090#

Hi Peter

In the middle of the desert, most technical things are a challenge. If the webcam was in Pretoria or Johannesburg, it would have been much easier. But hey, who wants to see traffic on a webcam We want the webcam there in the middle of nowhere to give our virtual viewers a window on nature!

It is a specialised cable with special connectors, etc that is not available in Nossob or even Upington (which is the closest town around 300km away). It goes from Nossob to Twee Rivieren (around 170km if I remember correctly), then to Upington via Kimberley with courier company and must then be repaired/replaced depending what the verdict is from the technical guys in Johannesburg).

Then it must go back to Nossob again via the same route and must be installed at Nossob.

The latest feedback I have from the tech team is that they have not received the faulty cable in Johannesburg yet (as at 09:51 this morning).

Will give feedback as soon as we have a better idea and timelines on the exact problem and spares availability.

So yes, to replace High Tech stuff in Africa does take time! Enjoy Orpen and Satara webcams for now!

I had a friend who worked in Nossob.

Every month they had to take three days leave just to go and buy groceries in Upington ...

I think a delay is quite understandable.

Thanks for a clear and understandable answer, Danie. Hope to see the webcam up and running soon. Good luck with the cable

I found the ghost! The cable that was sent back for replacement/repair, is the cable linking the wireless access point and the antenna in the camp at Nossob. Although the antenna is not connected at the moment, a faint signal is now and then pickup up from the webcam and then this is how the 'ghost' images get through when conditions are perfect and the faint signal reaches the WAP (Wireless Access Point) without the antenna (it is like picking up a TV signal without antenna connected).

That explains the ghost images!

Telecom Company fixed the fibre running to the Lowveld. Both webcams in Kruger National Park are online again! Thanks for your patience!

The telecom's company fibre broke between Gauteng and Skukuza and that brought down all comms (including voice and cellular comms to KNP as well...havoc!). All restored at around 21:15 SAST.

Nossob's ghost provides a glimpse of the Nossob waterhole now and then as well!

Hello Danie
Please could you install a winscreen wiper on the Satara cam? It may be worth considering doing the same for the other cams, since you can get bulk deals and stuff