wifi?
 

will we be able to have wifi networks up this year? Our scouting database uses one. Will we have to go wired?

Re: wifi?
 

As far as I know wireless communications have never been allowed and is probably stronger this year due to the use of using WiFi routers and such.

-Tanner

Re: wifi?
 

I have never heard of such a rule. Our team has set up a wireless router several times. I looked through the rules as well and I didn't see anything against it. Unless someone has found a rule (and if you have please post it) then I'm sure its perfectly fine. It shouldn't interfere with the robot radios during competition. This also may depend on the venue, I'm sure the venue can restrict you. (Actually at our regional there is usually free wifi available)

Re: wifi?
 

My guess is this is one of the reasons they chose wireless n and not wireless g. The 2 should not interfere. Some of the venues have wifi that will not uninstall them just for first. So i think they had to make a system that will work around what alot of places already have.

The long ans short of it is i would ask in the q&a to be sure but according to what is published now i think that it will be allowed. Also I do not think they would have a reason to ban them.

Let me know if we find anything official.

Re: wifi?
 

More specifically, it seems that they're using the 5GHz band for Wireless-n. If they were using the 2.4GHz band, it would actually interfere _more_ with wireless G, due to the wider frequency use (which helps N signals get their advantages).

I'd say they chose 5GHz so that teams can still use 2.4GHz for Wifi systems, etc., especially considering many venues will have 2.4GHz band Wifi installed already, and would possibly cause interference. Not to mention that the 2.4GHz generally has a ton of interference in its vicinity from untold numbers of electronics (Bluetooth, etc.).

Of course, I'd still check. There were rules from previous years on this, and I believe there's a rule on using such wireless equipment, at least, in the arena. Don't quote me on that, of course.

Re: wifi?
 

As far as I know, FIRST discouraged WiFi, but as stated already, they can't stop venues which already use wireless internet. Buckeye, at least the two years I've been going, has allowed wireless, and you could usually find multiple networks during the competition, including 1676's famous scouting network. I've heard that some regionals completely disallow wireless at their venue in the past. This year may be different with the new control system, but I'll be watching Q&A, and have a plan for wireless and non-wireless scouting methods.