Site Requirements for ISFF

power: 240 VAC split phase (2 phase, two 110 VAC lines with neutral) minimum 100 amp drop is required for power. At the main power drop, a fused disconnect box with a [NEMA 14-60 R receptacle] and lightning arrestor should be installed. The power drop must be within 75 ft. of trailer(s) location. We also have used a generator when chemical emissions are not a problem.
space requirement: The one trailer 42 by 10 ft. With entrance steps installed, a rectangular space of 45 by 20 is needed. The ground should be a solid base (in all weather), relatively smooth and level. Gravel or plywood may be used to stabilize this pad.
access: Tractor/trailer access is necessary to install the trailers. The access should be evaluated considering the width and height of the trailers, including manuevering space and turns.
communication: Voice communication to the outside world is required both for safety and to facilitate operations. Either direct phone line, cellular, or radio will suffice. A separate phone line for data and internet provider service will be arranged if offsite data transfer is necessary. This will be arranged by SSSF if necessary. Reasonable use of phone and internet connections by the PIs usually is possible.
SSSF arranges for portable toilets to be installed if other bathroom facilities are not available.

power: Power is supplied by the main power drop back at the base. The distance between the array transformer and the base must be within 1000m. This limitation is due to the amount of power cable available.
space requirement: This will vary depending upon the configuration selected by the investigator. Limiting factors are communication and power cables. Under normal configurations, the maximum distance from the optical cable drop, located at the transformer, to the farthest ADAM is 500'. Since the footprint of each tower array is small, the terrain is not critical. However, there has to be the ability to provide anchor points for the tower guy wires, (three per tower at a 7 m radius). Typically, a 2 ft. stake is driven into the ground for each anchor plus a 6 ft. grounding rod.
access: It is convenient for setup and teardown to have vehicle access to each tower, in the form of 2-3 pickup truck loads. The truck can be backed along the same tracks to minimize crop damage. Tower servicing usually will be done by foot access along the same tracks. Requests to install towers with only foot access will be considered, depending on the amount of equipment and distance to travel.