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You can't cut the cable on this wireless security system

You can, of course, set up a jamming signal to disable a security system based on 802.11 WiFi wireless. Normally, that's hard. So if you wanted to rob the house, you'd have to cut the power cable to the camera. Well, think again!Proxim has announced a solar-powered wireless surveillance solution.

It's called SolaCam, and that's what it is. A surveillance camera with an Internet client, talking over WiFi to a standard proxim Tsunami MP.11 access point - and the camera is entirely powered by sunlight.

Not much use for indoor surveillance, perhaps; but for traffic monitoring, or keeping an eye on that remote gate, or the roof of the building, it has obvious benefits.

And from what little people will tell you about the business, it seems that jamming the signal isn't as easy as it seems. And if you really do think someone will, then use a directional antenna (they say) at each end.

In addition to the solar-powered solution, distributor Hutton and Proxim are also offering a solution with battery back-up power. This provides customers a reliable redundancy solution for areas where power is available.

Naturally, a neat product like this isn't for the home experimenter - unless you won the lottery first. The solar package, SolaCam includes: a Tsunami MP.11 subscriber unit, camera with weatherproof enclosure, a solar panel, enhanced battery system, charge controller, integrated lightning protection, an antenna and RF cable. List price on the SolaCam starts at $2999 - plus a mere $999 if you want a base station.

For more details of how the product works, contact distributor Hutton for web seminar dates and signup methods. Alternately, visit Proxim's site.