Internet at Competitions

[Steven Donow]

Originally Posted by yash101

Well, that is a possibility, though bluetooth is low-power and meant for short-distance communications. However, I'm pretty sure that you will be able to communicate with devices on the other side of the field!

I was thinking, if I can get this scouting application made, should I contact the event coordinator about if they would let me set up a low-power hotspot on the other side of the building from the stands, to allow teams to see the stats, but have no internet connection? I think that a 4mW Tx won't reach the stands if it is on the other side of the building!

That way, I can have teams ask for a password (I won't have it as a public AP), to get free inet? I think that could be an idea (as long as I can age FRC approval! Also, is WiFi allowed in the pits, to communicate with the robot?

They won't give you that approval. From what it seems like, this year they're simplifying the rule about no WiFi by saying no internet. The only WiFi that is allowed is the WiFi on the field. Robots in the pits have to be tethered(which has been a rule for a number of yours). No wireless anything at all is allowed; the way I see it is, treat the FIRST event like you're going to a sporting event; keep the internet to 4G/3G/Mobile networks on your phone.

Some past instances (aside from Einstein 2012) was one year at the Finger Lakes Regional, RIT's network was messing with the field, so they had to shut that down (I'm not sure the exact specifics; someone who was there can probably clarify). Also, I read reports that at Championship last year, FIRST had people with WiFi scanners to "track down" anyone who had a hotspot enabled. Plus the numerous times at competitions where the announcer says something like, "Whoever is running the WiFi network 'BlahBlahBlah' please shut it down".