ICTworks by Inveneo

So I had the thought this morning that RadioMobile (the software we use for planning long-distance WiFi networks) could probably be pretty good for choosing sites to watch the fireworks in San Francisco - other than the tourist chaos right down by the piers. The terrain and satellite imagery data for the US is way higher than anything we ever get to use in the places we work, so this was kind of fun.

I asked RadioMobile for all the places a 2 meter tall person could stand to be able to see an object 15m above both Municipal Pier and Pier 39 (the two sites they launch from). I know fireworks are much higher than 15m, but to have a good view, you don't want to be staring at the side of a hill and just barely seeing the fireworks over the top.

Here's what it came up with (click on the image for a closer look):

The image shows the areas in red that Radio Mobile thinks would make good fireworks sites, and this Fireworks Viewing KML has Google Earth waypoints at three of those places that open in Google Earth to check out buildings and trees in the surrounding area.

This gives you a few interesting possibilities up in the Presidio, and some spots on the side of Russian Hill.

Happy July 4th!