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Barn Cams Let You Monitor Remote Sites, Livestock On TV, Computer
Remote monitoring of livestock, pets, valuable crops, workers, and even baby sitters via the Internet is getting easier and more affordable all the time.
  Prices for equipment have plummeted in recent months, so anyone who understands the basics of computers can now get live video of anything you want to monitor onto the Internet.
  To get started, you can go online and find all kinds of systems. Or you can call Bill and Susan Thiel, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. They operate Saddlebrook BarnCams, LLC, which assembles and sells turnkey Internet monitoring systems.
  The Thiels run a network of "BarnCams" that transmit live video of their 15 Appaloosa horses to the Internet, where anyone who wants to can watch what's happening in their barn (www.appaloosa.com). Thousands of Web surfers have "stopped by" to check out the horses, especially during foaling season.
  Bill put their first BarnCam together five years ago because Susan was attending a meeting in Georgia at a time when three of the couple's registered mares were due to foal. She didn't want to miss the births. He put an old video camera in the foaling stall, ran a cable from the camera in the barn to the computer in their house and sent the images to a Website. Though she was nearly a thousand miles away, Susan could log onto the Website and watch.
  The Saddlebrook BarnCams now offers cameras no larger than a quarter and wireless 2.4 Ghz transmitters that can send signals right through floors and walls. They offer an extra high power transmitter that can send clear signals to your TV, VCR or computer up to a mile away. Systems can be purchased for $250 and up. They're selling to livestock producers, veterinarians, kennels, and even homeowners who want to check on things in the barn or at home when they can't be there physically.
  Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Saddlebrook BarnCams LLC, N76 W36096 Saddlebrook Lane, Oconomowoc, Wis. 53066 (ph 920 474-7776; E-mail: sales@BarnCams.com; Website: www.barncams.com).


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2003 - Volume #27, Issue #2