Re: Problem with losing communication while on the field.
 

Also, check the connection between your Classmate and the ethernet cable. Our plastic retention clip on the Classmate (not the ethernet cable) is broken off and any jostling of the cable will cause it to temporarily lose connection (hence, communication to the robot).

- T

Re: Problem with losing communication while on the field.
 

I should have left the crio part off in my post. Hotglue the RADIO side only. That's the side that normally comes loose. sorry.

Re: Problem with losing communication while on the field.
 

We trained them both ways. But not totally relying on the camera only. Definitely if they can look at the robot to get an AIM or if you have "auto aim" in tele-op is the best way to drive but to look at the camera to aim seems like it takes the driver longer to make the decision to kick verses looking at the robot and making the alignment shot.

Re: Problem with losing communication while on the field.
 

We were having this same problem A LOT at the Wisconsin regional. We were about to win the entire regional when our middle zone bot lost communications in the last two matches. (we won the first match of the final round 10-4). From what I saw almost everyone had these problems all day. I am trying to consolidate the issue so we don't have it again.

Before every match we:
log out and log in on the class mate
DO NOT close the lid on the class mate
make sure everyone's class mate wireless is off
check all Ethernet cables are plugged in
check for FMS connection and voltage before we give the judges the ok

Twice during our matches we lost connection in the middle of the match
Our alliance in the final rounds lost communications twice in a row AFTER autonomous mode. The judges told us it was NOT the field or FMS, it was the team's robot. Well then what is it? The bridge? Let me know if any of you have had this issue and what solved it. It sounds like people are replacing their wireless bridges and that solves the problem.


Thanks!

Re: Problem with losing communication while on the field.
 

That works until you have to use a practice field radio.

Our robot periodically lost communication (something like run for 10sec, lose comm for 2 2sec, repeat) in our last match SF 1-4 in MD. I think it was related to the critically low battery on the Classmate at the time. Also the wifi was on again, I am not sure when it got enabled (it was off when we started elims but I think the Classmate was rebooted).

Re: Problem with losing communication while on the field.
 

Must be nice to have practice radios at your practice field. We go to the same regional every year, and we tether always so only the crio side gets unplugged.

Re: Problem with losing communication while on the field.
 

I find the practice field radios annoying more than helpful, unless you're looking for wireless issues.

It just takes too long to setup the practice radio when you could be driving immediately on tether.

Re: Problem with losing communication while on the field.
 

Agreed, long tether cable and someone to hold it is best solution. Unfortunately, Championships will probably require practice radios again. Hopefully they will not run them like 3v3 practice matches again this year. Last year, it was completely useless. You would be trying to test auto routines and then another robot would ram into you and try to fill your trailer.

Who goes to the practice field for more driver practice? It is there to test programming and mechanisms that maybe having problems.

Re: Problem with losing communication while on the field.
 

We only used it for practice in two situations:
1) Testing our bump climbing on an official bump
2) No one else was signed up, or in line.

The practice field at Peachtree only had 2 practice radios, and no one was allowed to tether....

Re: Problem with losing communication while on the field.
 

Same. We would end up using half of our practice time waiting for the radio to connect. Wouldn't it be nice if the practice field could jump in on the FMS wireless and firewall the practice connections from the real connections.

Until then, our 50 ft ethernet cable is the way to go

Also, to many teams loosing communications, check that your ethernet cable firmly connects to the classmate. We found that the part that holds the cable in place is broken on ours, so we end up taping it down for the match