Step by step
Insert the micro-SD card into the Pi, connect a keyboard, mouse and monitor and start it up. You’ll find that the RMS software will start automatically; work through the configuration script, entering your location and camera code when you’re prompted.
To set the camera and case up, begin by feeding the camera cable through the security camera housing. Then connect the PoE (power -over-ethernet) injector cable to it. Next, fit the camera inside the housing, close to the front glass; use hot glue, but don’t seal just yet.
On the Pi screen, double click on ‘RMS_ShowLiveStream.sh’ and select ‘Open in terminal’. Use the live view to help you focus the camera, then close and seal up the camera housing. Disconnect and mount the camera on an outside wall pointing it up about 45°.
Click the ‘Raspberry icon’ at the top left and select ‘Preferences > Raspberry Pi Configuration’. On the ‘Interfaces’ tab, ensure that ‘SSH’ and ‘VNC’ are enabled. Close the configuration tool, then click the ‘Wi-Fi icon’ on the menu bar and connect to your Wi-Fi.
Now plug the other PoE cable into the Pi’s ethernet port and then, using an ethernet cable, connect the Pi to the camera by connecting up the PoE injector cables. Meanwhile, plug the camera power supply into the PoE power input socket.
Power up the Pi, and it will now run automatically. Contact Denis Vida (details opposite) to create a ‘platepar’; copy this to the Pi and your camera will be ready to go. After the first night’s run, your system will upload data to the Global Meteor Network.