[Al Skierkiewicz]

WoW! I go on vacation for a few days to Duluth and the thread goes wild. So first to a few answers,
Jon, We don't have as much storage as we used to and do have stuff that goes most of the way back. We're resourceful and nostalgic. (OK so I am)
Shorting out the pressure switch is the prescribed method for checking the over pressure valve as described by FIRST staff and that method has been used since the manufacturer stopped supplying the valve pre-calibrated. A good team member or inspector will check that the valve vents above 125 psi after calibration and tightening of the lock ring. It is not calibrated if it vents below 125 psi.
Shorting out the pressure switch, attaching another compressor or bypassing the robot control system to charge the pneumatic system in queue or on the field has never been legal. Do not listen to the team that tells you it is. There are considerable penalties in the rules (game, robot and tournament).

Now on to a few items that were issues during week one.
Latest, greatest firmware.
The most recent version of the Inspection Checklist has a great list of the all the firmware required for this week of competition. If and when that changes, the Checklist will be updated. Go to the appropriate website now and download the firmware versions for the PDP, PCM, RoboRio, Jag and Talon, and driver station. Bring those with you so you can load them prior to inspection. The version numbers are displayed on the Dashboard diagnostic tab.

Software Versions – Software/firmware for devices is at or above listed versions (As of March 2, 2015)
Driver Station – 08021500 or newer <R80> (Note the version number is a date in the format of, DD/MM/YY00)
roboRIO – v23 and 2.1.0f3 <R45>
Talon SRX – v.28 for PWM, v1.01 for CAN <R41, R59>
Jaguars – v109 <R59>
PCM – v1.62 <R60>
PDP – v1.37 <R61>

Team Numbers,
Must be 3.5 inches high or greater, 1/2" stroke or greater and must be black on white background with 1" (white) border all the way around. Nearly half of all robots at Duluth needed number adjustments.

We saw some teams show up with old, white pneumatic storage tanks. While the manufacturer was giving free exchange for tanks last year, that is no longer taking place. You will be required to replace any old tanks prior to competing.