Practice Field(s) at Championships in Atlanta?

[Ken Streeter]

Can a team that was at the Championship last year let us know whether or not there will be a practice field at the event? We would like to be able to do some testing of the robot on a practice field (there was a "half-court" one at the BAE Granite State Regional) but haven't seen anything definitive about whether or not there are any practice fields at the Championship.

Thanks!

[Joe Ross]

Can a team that was at the Championship last year let us know whether or not there will be a practice field at the event? We would like to be able to do some testing of the robot on a practice field (there was a "half-court" one at the BAE Granite State Regional) but haven't seen anything definitive about whether or not there are any practice fields at the Championship.

Last year there were 4 complete practice fields (one for each division). There is no guarantee that will be the case this year.

[Ricky Q.]

Last year there were 4 complete practice fields (one for each division). There is no guarantee that will be the case this year.

Weren't there only 2 complete practice fields, with 2 divisions each sharing one? Correct me if I am wrong, but that is how I remember it.

Either way, hopefully there is something. A half field at minimum.

[Matt Krass]

Weren't there only 2 complete practice fields, with 2 divisions each sharing one? Correct me if I am wrong, but that is how I remember it.

Either way, hopefully there is something. A half field at minimum.


I believe he is right, I only remember two, right down the middle of the pits.

[EricH]

Ricky's right, there were two. Two divisions to a field, with Archimedes and Curie sharing one and Galileo and Newton the other, IIRC.

[Ken Streeter]

Thanks for the answers to the question about practice fields at the Championship -- it's good to know that a practice field will be available.

How were the practice fields managed? Was it simply "first come, first served" on the field for one team at a time? Was more than one team able to use a single field at once? Was there a sign-up sheet with teams signing up for times in advance? With around 80 teams in a division, it seems like there might be a lot of contention for practice field usage, especially on Thursday. Any more information would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

[Liz Smith]

Thanks for the answers to the question about practice fields at the Championship -- it's good to know that a practice field will be available.

How were the practice fields managed? Was it simply "first come, first served" on the field for one team at a time? Was more than one team able to use a single field at once? Was there a sign-up sheet with teams signing up for times in advance? With around 80 teams in a division, it seems like there might be a lot of contention for practice field usage, especially on Thursday. Any more information would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!


There was a big sign-up sheet where you could sign up for a certain time. If the field was empty though, most of the time they would just let you practice.

[Justin M.]

There was no practice field at the philly event, but however their was one there last year. It all depends on the size of the venue.

[mtaman02]

I have a simple question with the 2 complete practice fields down in atl last year, did teams need to jumper the OI to get the extra channels or did the fields come with a system that would enable the OI and assign a channel to it (similar to the setup used for an actual event)

[DanDon]

Actually, it was set up just like most of the practice fields at regional events. Basically, you would just use a really long tether. :p;)

[Kevin Kolodziej]

By the end of Friday, other divisions started invading the practice field, but as long as no one was waiting, it was okay.

I am worried about flying balls in the pits with the practice setup...

Kev

[santosh]

We helped run the practice field at Peachtree and there were balls that often missed their targets and got off the field. I think it might be a slight problem. We also had teams accidentally shoot balls and get them stuck on ledges 30-40 feet in the air...

[Michael Corsetto]

You can download the official pit map here (http://www.usfirst.org/robotics/2006/site_info/GWCC_Pit_Map.pdf). Looks like there will be two practice fields, just like last year.

Mike C.

[The Lucas]

You can download the official pit map here (http://www.usfirst.org/robotics/2006/site_info/GWCC_Pit_Map.pdf). Looks like there will be two practice fields, just like last year.

Mike C.
Are these the same 2 halls (rooms in convention center) as last year?

[Pat Fairbank]

Are these the same 2 halls (rooms in convention center) as last year?
Yeah, and the whole set-up looks to be exactly the same as last year.