using your phone as a hotspot for scouting
 

hello guys,
can you use your phone as a hotspot for multiple ipads?
if so, how is the connectivity?
also, which data plan company is the best to use? like Verizon, AT&T..etc.
we're worried about this rule, does it make this illegal?
Do not arrange for Internet access or phone lines from venue service providers or attempt to use venue internet connections
reserved for event purposes (e.g., FMS or streaming).
thank you

Re: using your phone as a hotspot for scouting
 

You cannot create a wireless hotspot of any kind at an FRC (or FTC) competition.

Re: using your phone as a hotspot for scouting
 

It's in the rules
T4 Teams may not set up their own 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (2.4GHz or 5GHz) wireless communication (e.g. access points or ad-hoc networks) in the venue.
A wireless hot spot created by a cellular device is considered an access point.

Re: using your phone as a hotspot for scouting
 

That being said, you can tether phones to iPads or computers through bluetooth. This will share internet to one device at a time. If you have enough phones, the iPads will all have connection.

Also don't even try to make hotspots at competition. They have wifi wands to find hidden networks and they yell at you.

Re: using your phone as a hotspot for scouting
 

The reason: the field management system runs on 802.11. There is enough difficulty keeping FMS working smoothly with twelve hosts (six robots and six driver stations) cycling in and out every five minutes that they don't need any unintentional interference on top of it. I understand (before my time in FRC) that there were cases of wifi setups in the stands that intentionally jammed other robots through packet flooding and spoofing.

No Bluetooth I think either. Check the rules though.

Yes, you can use Bluetooth.

Sorry. On the floor at Southfield there were signs by the field that said no Bluetooth beyond this point. In the stands, it is legal.

Re: using your phone as a hotspot for scouting
 

Wifi wands? Please embellish.

Re: using your phone as a hotspot for scouting
 

http://i.imgur.com/K2Isydy.jpg

Re: using your phone as a hotspot for scouting
 

One solution we're planning to use for a few devices is a USB LTE modem plugged into a router with all wireless radios disabled (many routers are equipped with USB ports and support USB modems). The devices are connected over Ethernet and can utilize the LTE connection.

I don't own an iPad, but I assume USB Ethernet adapters will work (a quick Google search says yes). I have used them before with Android tablets.

No WiFi or Bluetooth involved, so this is a compliant solution.

Re: using your phone as a hotspot for scouting
 

The fewer signals the better the regional. Dallas was delayed multiple times due to people running hotspots.
You think, "Oh I'm in the stands, it won't affect the field" you're wrong. As a Signals Intelligence SME, your phone, in an open room like an arena, will effect hundreds of feet around you. The only safe way to not interfere with the Field is Wired. I know many tablets don't have a ethernet port. Sorry about that. Find an old Linksys router (without WiFi) run it as your DHCP and wire everything. Oh power...yea, :ahh: that's why paper still rules. Old School!

Re: using your phone as a hotspot for scouting
 

http://www.cnet.com/how-to/clever-ad...ndroid-device/

http://www.amazon.com/BobjGear-Ultra.../dp/B007RTACDM

USB On-The-Go capable devices can often have Ethernet access using the USB port (bandwidth limited as a result of course).

It is tricky to determine which devices are actually compatible.