I’m sure those cameras need a ready and reliable power feed. That’s kinda hard to come by along about 95% of the Arizona/Mexico border.
I’m not sure what Glen’s using for power, but commercial power is scarce.
American Border Patrol president Glenn Spencer stands next
to solar panels that power the remote Internet-controlled
camera located beyond his left shoulder Wednesday. The
camera is approximately 50 feet from the U.S.-Mexico border.
(Mark Levy-Herald/Review)
I’m not sure what Glen’s using for power, but commercial power is scarce.
They're now using solar powered electrical equipment for railroad train control systems and safety equipment in rural locations where running power lines is cost-prohibitive or otherwise impractical, as with some sections of the Central Oregon and Pacific.
It might require additional power cells or greater battery storage for the remote TV equipment, but it's certain;y do-able, not even a new equipment generation away.
Three miles south of the last signal we arrive at the first dragging equipment detector in the canyon. This one is solar powered as evidenced by the collector array mounted near the case. The "paddles" are visible between and on either side of the rails in the right side of this picture.
Inside the equipment case are the batteries at the bottom and a few electrical components above them. The voice of the "SP Lady" which announces "No Defects, no defects" or "Engineer, Stop Your Train" is housed in the blue box. Part of Rick's inspection routine is to electrically shunt the rails and kick the paddles to activate the "SP Lady". He also checks battery electrolyte levels and voltages and records it on cards seen here slightly below and to the left of the blue box. On top of the case is a Sinclair antenna to broadcast the SP Lady to train crews.