Mounting New Radio
 

Has anyone come up with a good method for mounting the new radios? They have feet on the bottom of them that prevent velcro from making great contact. Anyone come up with a good solution? Is there a CAD model for these things yet and is a custom mounting solution possible?

Re: Mounting New Radio
 

Duct tape is a no go? ;)

What about velcro straps similar to the battery mounts?

Re: Mounting New Radio
 

I'm old school FRC; duct tape is always a no go with me.... unless it's zebra striped!

I do like the idea of a housing and strap system though similar to these battery mounts: http://www.andymark.com/product-p/am-0477.htm

Re: Mounting New Radio
 

When we tested the new radio at IRI, we zip-tied it, just like we did with the dlinks.

Re: Mounting New Radio
 

Any pictures? We've always used velcro to hold the dlink radios.

Re: Mounting New Radio
 

Re: Mounting New Radio
 

Open-Mesh does sell their own mounting enclosure.
In 2014 558 used a some standoffs and a piece of polycarbonate to make a sleeve for our radio, 2015 we just used Velcro.

Re: Mounting New Radio
 

If you leave the status lights exposed, I suppose you could mount the velcro on the smooth top instead of the bottom. Attached are photos of how we tried mounting it this way when it was being gang tested with a 5v switch. It's too unsteady for competition use though. We just wanted easy access to the ports and easy visibility of the status lights. The slightly rounded top worked better with an extra piece of double-sided tape under the "wings" so to speak.

We zip-tied and velcro strapped ours on when it was used in off-season competition matches.

I think for competition we might go with a 3d printed open sleeve emphasizing removability, ventilation, status light visibility, and port/power access.

Re: Mounting New Radio
 

We did too, but the specific way we did it was probably not that good.

At IRI we noted that there were some features to wall mount the radio and used these to slide (slowly and gently) a zip tie through from one end to the other. We then used a second zip tie to form a loop and secure the radio to a 1x1 VEX tube.

Later inspection of a radio by Big Al showed that there are small coax segments that we could have damaged if we were more forceful. We lucked out.

So, we should be careful about how we zip tie. I'm thinking of tasking one of the team members to come up with a 3D printed connecting platform that uses 4 short barbs on the sides to grip half-way up the venting slots on the side. A bit like a phone case. If this is successful, I'll have the student share the design.

Re: Mounting New Radio
 

Yeah, this is what I would like too.

Re: Mounting New Radio
 

Sounds like a challenge for CAD students to put their skills to use before the season starts. I look forward to seeing the many ideas that result.

Re: Mounting New Radio
 

Their indoor enclosure is a bit easier to pull the radio in and out, and it has cutouts for the indicator lights.

Re: Mounting New Radio
 

How well did that TRENDnet switch work for you? Were there any issues with it at all? It seems like a good choice for adding additional ports.

Re: Mounting New Radio
 

Does anyone have a CAD model of the new radio? I haven't been able to find it anywhere. It would make designing a case much easier (especially because my team will likely not have a radio until we get one in the KOP at Kickoff).

Re: Mounting New Radio
 

Just a note from what I read so far on this thread...

I don't know about the version of the radio that was used at IRI or other off-season events, but the version that is currently being tested by the Beta test teams is a 12V units and not 5V as it was in previous years.