Mounting Platforms
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From the discussion of pixel resolution we see that the range resolution improves with camera height. Thus the range over which a camera can effectively sample is directly dependent on the camera height (you need to avoid looking close to the horizon since pixels become very long and thin). Selection of a high vantage point is very important although options can sometime be limited. We have mounted cameras in lighthouses, on rooftops, in a church steeple and on permanent towers.
A variety of camera mounts are available, but ideally you want to mount securely to something that is very solid to avoid camera movement. Since pixel resolution is often as small as 0.02 degrees, rigidity is needed. Even thermal effects can alter viewing angles measurably. The figures below show a variety of physical mounting locations and styles.
Stations require power, communications to the internet and a place to leave a small host computer, arrangements that must be made with the building owner. Sometimes cable runs from the roof can be tricky. Power requirements are small, mostly just what is needed for the host computer. Most stations run with the display turned off except when visited for debugging. Communications can currently be handled with a cell modem and purchased cellular data plan.
Fig. 2. Example camera mounts for (in order from the top): Barcelona, Spain; Camp Pendleton, California; Duck mid-tower; Palm Beach lighthouse, Australia; Waimea Beach Hawaii church steeple; and a hotel roof in Noordwijk, The Netherlands.