[Andy A.]

Arpus-

A point about the RC and signal loss.

I can't speak with complete certanity, but I belive that the older RC's (perhaps the newer models to) are pretty useless with out a radio link. All thier outputs will turn off, and the RC won't let anything happen till it hears from the radio again. The logic is that should something happen to the robot and the link is lost, it is difficult for the robot to go on a rampage, or hurt any of the refs. The RC can recognize it doesn't have a radio link, but it can't do a whole lot about it.

It is possible to get the RC to preform some simple actions after it loses a link, or is disabled. I'm not sure that this would really be feaseble though, since it requires some fancy programming and electronics or the use of pneumatics.

My first idea was to have a solenoid (perhaps a Spike?) controlled by the RC close the positive lead between the battery and the rest of the car. This way, if the RC loses the radio link, the solenoid will open, and the car will lose electrical power. This should kill the engine, and with the transmission in drive it outa stop quickly enough. The same result would happen if you had a disable switch hooked up to the compition port of the UI. It would be simple enough to use a Spike to controll a 12v solenoid. Bit of a multistep process, but I think it could work out well enough.

I would be very intersted in hearing how you plan on disabling this sucker if the RC loses it's link.