Quote:
Originally Posted by 1885.Blake
Folks,
Maybe I am misunderstanding what you mean; but if you are talking about truly using two fields simultaneously, do the math.
(10 channels) minus (four robots multiplied by up to two channels per robot) = two crystals left for the second field....
|
Not true.
FVC competition crystals are different channels from the ten commercially available. This is done so that the commercial crystals can not interfere with FVC competitions. There are enough channels to run two fields simultaneously, with a small amount of expansion, too. If no one's noticed, the field controls are designed and built to be used by three teams per alliance.
Vex uses the standard hobby ground frequency of 75 MHz, channels 61-90. That's 30 total channels, minus 10 commercial channels, leaves 20 FVC competition channels. Fine for 2 vs. 2, but a little tight for 3 vs. 3.
If running two fields simultaneously, I would still recommend staggering the fields so only one field is active at a time to eliminate any possibility of interference between the two fields. It would still be faster than what was being run in Atlanta. If you have a 30 second window before and after the match to get radios turned on and off, you should be able to run on a 4-5 minute match cycle. We ran on a 5 minute match cycle at the Hartford regional with only one field, so two fields running staggered on a 5 minute cycle is within reason.
I understand a team's concerns. Paying a large amount of money to compete at Championships, then only getting 4 qualification matches, doesn't seem justified. It also left large blocks of teams with similar win-loss records. I would like to see the Championships split into 2 divisions of 50 teams which play to divisional winners. Then the two divisional winners could play for the overall title. Even with the extra matches needed for the elimination rounds, a faster field cycle should be able to get teams up to at least 6 qualification matches.
GDC This years game was great! Especially the atlas ball. I'll agree with previous posts, time for a new game piece. Give balls a rest for a year or two.
Also..... 3 vs. 3!
