Live Weather

Do you have a sailboat? Then check out our new live weather station on camera 2 before you are heading out of the marina! Ok, owner of motor boats can do the same ;-)

All relevant weather information like wind speed and direction, temperature, barometric pressure, humidity and the amount of daily rain is updated every 2.5 seconds and is displayed in the lower part of the camera image.

We are using a semi-professional weather station from Davis Instruments, the VantagePro2 Plus with UV and solar sensor. If you are interested in a weather station for your own home let me know.

The weather station's data logger communicates directly via the serial interface with the MOBOTIX M10 network camera. There is no other equipment (like a PC) involved. Pretty straight forward...

Cameras 3 and 4

Most of you have probably seen our latest addition. Apart from the re-installed camera 3 for the MacDonald Bridge we installed a fourth camera about 30 kilometers south of Halifax at Bald Rock.

The camera is overlooking Sambro Harbour in westerly direction. Just in case you want to go to Crystal Crescent Beach... this is a perfect view the see the weather conditions there. It could be a little bit foggy sometimes when you already get sun-burned in Halifax.

It is not sure if this camera will be permanent at this place. Maybe I find a better spot with a bit more traffic.

Incredible

Thank you for all you feedback. Even if I am not able to respond to each and every email I appreciate your comments and suggestions.

As of today, almost 1,400 emails arrived since the camera went online in September 2005. I would say 99.9% are positive and encouraging to extend the webcam network in the future.

I am only wondering what the 0.1% of the visitors think when they send me their feedback. Just to remember: I do all the work volontarily and I have no obligation to do it. This website and the cameras are more a hobby than a service. Obviously, other webcam operators enjoy similiar feedback. Look here.

Some examples? Here they are:

"I noticed the camera's have been updated for the worse, where I used to refer this website to many for a great view of halifax harbour (as I work in a call center for US res 'where are you" "oh I'm in hafliax" etc), unfortunately the picture has degraded and actually makes the city look dull and worse then before the update. This is only because of the darkened city scape in the day time which seems to be a simple contrast problem. Anways, I was just disappointed and wanted to mention it, since I now don't refer people to this website for a quick look at halifax."

Funny, eh?

"You need better quality equipment that doesn't break down"

Oh, I see, you know what you are talking about! Any suggestions?

"Why are your camera views dissappearing? First the McDonald bridge and now the harbour entrance. Whassup?"

Whassup? Sorry, did I take your toy?

Ok, enough. I have to admit I really like reading all the emails. Keep writing, I am going to bring the two cameras back online next week. Promised.

Camera Killer

Yesterday evening we had a really bad thunderstorm here around Halifax. It lasted for at least three hours. Result at the end? One camera and the power supply died. Shit happens.

The picture here is the last transmitted image before all three cameras went offline at 9:08 p.m. It was taken by camera 1 (entrance to the harbour) and it is pretty bright for that time of the day, isn't it? I was very anxious to get on the roof as early as possible the next morning to see what happened.

There were not obvious damages on the cameras or the other equipment. Looks like power surge. I don't know why the other two cameras and the router are still working but I am happy that they are. Otherwise this project is going to be too expensive and I have to look for cheaper hobbies.

New parts are already ordered and will arrive begin of next week.

I don't need thunderstorms anymore...

That's what it looks like

We are on the 7th floor of Alderney Gate in Dartmouth. Our installation consists of three MOBOTIX M10 cameras on a non-penetrating roof mount connected to a Linksys router (in the grey weatherproof box). The internet connection is provided by AirFire, a local internet provider. They use the Motorola Canopy system to distribute wireless high-speed internet to their customers.

The MOBOTIX cameras are weatherproof without additional housing or heating.

Everything is remote configurable and low maintenance. Life can be so easy.

Cruise Ship Season

Since last week, cruise ships come to Halifax again on a regular basis. They arrive normally between 7:00 and 8:00 a.m. and leave in the late afternoon. Camera 2 shows the cruise ship piers 20 to 22 on the left.

The Cruise Ship Schedule is published on the Port Authority's website at http://www.portofhalifax.ca/AbsPage.aspx?id=1016&siteid=1&lang=1

Here we are!

After some weeks without live camera from Halifax harbour our three new cameras are online. Thanks to Peter Kelly, Mayor of HRM and his team we were able to install our webcams on top of Alderney Gate in Dartmouth. The three cameras cover major parts of the harbour south of MacDonald bridge.

As I can see in all the emails I receive, 99% of the visitors like the new setting. No question, the old location on 99 Wyse Road was more an overview than the new spot. But it was also very affected by fog and heavy rainfall when we still get good images on Alderney Gate.

Over the next weeks you will find more information on halifaxwebcam.ca here.

Cheers

Ralf