Automated Wireless File Transfers?

Maskirovka asks: "I'm in the process of designing a helicopter mounted compact flash reader/transmitter package to upload photos to a fileserver upon landing, probably using 802.11g. It needs to be idiot proof (ie, plug a flashcard into it, and it'll upload automatically as soon as it gets in range of the basestation), and should weigh less than 5 pounds so as not to affect the aircraft weight and balance. It could probably be built around a Via EPIA board using a PCI WiFi card and riser, but that almost seems overkill for the one specific task. Is there a more efficient way to do this with off the shelf hardware?"

Comments

Let me pop-up an answer

[orthogonal]

Is there a more efficient way to do this with off the shelf hardware?

Get a wireless X-10 camera, and mount it on your helicoptor. Then a model-quality blonde who wears nothing other than bikinis will move in next door, digging out a pool in one doesn't yet exist, and spend her entire life lounging by the pool, moving only in order to keep herself centered in the lens of your camera.

It's all true, I saw it in a pop add. And another pop-up add, and another pop-up add, and then in a pop-up add.

<script language="ECMAScript"> window.open("http://www.x10.com/annoyingflashingad ", scrolbar='no', closable='no', alwaysontop='yes', believable='no');</script>

I am really curious to know...

[TermAnnex]

What are you DOING?!

I can only imagine some sort of cloak and dagger digital image exchange with a gratuitous amount of trenchcoats.

Hmmm

[the_other_one]

Try using a charcoal pencil and a sketch pad.
Just before landing fold the image into the traditional paper aeroplane shape.
As you approach the base station launch the image.
The pilot may have to do some tricky flying to direct the rotor wash so that the image reaches the base station.

The Business Model

[E_elven]

1. Have some obscure technical business idea.
2. Ask gullible/nice slashd^H^H^H^H^H^H free consultants to do the hard part for you.
3. Profit!!!!!