Before entering the forest

Before entering the forest to begin the deployment, follow these preparation guidelines to ensure you have all that is required beforehand to deploy devices in the Site locations.

Warning

When installing the devices, always work in teams of at least two people when walking through the forest to locate the planned GPS coordinates of the devices. Ensure the ladder is safely leaned against the tree and is stable. Have a helper securely hold the ladder.

Note

Besides following the necessary precautions when entering a forest, make sure your smartphone's battery is fully charged. We recommend bringing a powerbank.

Preparation guidelines

Note

Prepare a plan to deploy the sensors in the forest. Prepare your walk through the forest beforehand to install the sensors in the most efficient manner.

Guideline	Description
Smartphone	Ensure you have a Smartphone fully charged with working GPS and a backup charger like a powerbank.
Install the Silvanet Deployment app.	Ensure you have installed on the Smartphone the Silvanet Deployment app and have one or more Packets assigned to you.
Start the Dryad Deployment app while you have a good wireless connection.	Before you enter the forest, ensure you have downloaded your assigned Packets to the Deployment App while you have good mobile connection. This allows the app's local database to be updated with the device information such as GPS coordinates in your assigned Packets.
Cache the Map page to the Deployment app	While connected to the mobile network, load the Map page to cache the map to ensure you have access to the Map view should a mobile connection become unavailable (offline usage).
Ensure you have the correct amount of devices.	Before going to the forest, ensure you have the correct amount of devices, spacers, treenails and crop wire (if required) for deploying your Packet. Use a waterproof box with a handle to keep the devices safe and dry while in the forest.
Be prepared to install devices at the correct height and direction.	All devices (sensors and gateways) must be installed at a correct height, which is at least 3 meters above the forest floor. They also need to face in a southerly direction for maximum irradiation on the solar panels. This means bringing a ladder high enough for this purpose.

Required deployment tools

You may need one or more workboxes, depending on how many devices are planned for a day's deployment.

Use one waterproof box for carrying sensors/gateways and a second workbox containing the following tools:

Compass (analogue or digital)
16 foot (5 meter) ladder
Cordless drilling machine
10 mm wood drill bit (an optional 6mm drill bit to begin drilling into hardwood trees)
Hammer
Pencil
17mm wrench (for U-clamps)
Small Phillips screwdriver
Small axe
Knife and shears (or snips) for cutting branches and crop wire (if required)
(optional) Crop wire for temporarily deploying devices
Bring several rolls of reflective bands, tape or some other method for identifying trees with installed sensors.

Tip

When drilling into a hardwood tree, start with a smaller drill bit then drill the final hole with the 10mm drill bit. Also, ensure you are using a drill bit for wood.