[NE FIRST] 2014 Rhode Island District Event

[Joe Menassa]

I've come out of CD retirement to start a thread for the Rhode Island District Event (RIDE)! I’m really impressed with the current team list and am looking forward to seeing who else will be joining us.

As of 10/15 we have 24 teams:
61, 78, 121, 138, 190, 246, 663, 1100, 1350, 1517, 1757, 1973, 2079, 2168, 2621, 3623, 3719, 3780, 4048, 4176, 4474, 4761, 4905, & 4908.

The event will take place at Bryant University in Smithfield, RI on 3/21-3/22.

This will be the first FRC event ever held in RI! Make all the small state jokes you can but I assure you, this event will be a big hit.

Tell us your coming at the Facebook event page:
https://www.facebook.com/events/412282148874032/

Keep an eye the New England FIRST website for updates and additional information throughout the coming months:
http://www.nefirst.org/

[Rick]

Three important items for the Rhode Island District Event teams as we head into New England District competition week one.

Machine Shop: Due to facility power constraints, teams will not be able to use power-hungry tools such as drill presses and band saws in their pits. To give machining capability to teams, we have planned a team-sourced machine shop that will be operated by event staff. However, with less than four weeks to go, only one team has said they can bring tools. If we do not receive responses from teams to fill the machine shop, we risk not having one at all. Please visit http://www.nefirst.org/portfolio/ri-event/ to see what tools are needed.

Volunteers: To properly staff a district event, nearly 100 volunteers are needed. Currently, our event is short approximately 25 volunteers. Remember the team volunteer requirement for New England. Your volunteer does not need to be a team member. It could be a parent, sibling, or even someone who wants to learn about FRC! Visit https://my.usfirst.org/vims/ to register.

Playing Field Carpet: After each event, the playing field carpet gets retired and a team may request to take home one or both of the carpet rolls – free! The rolls are 15 feet wide by 75 feet long and would be the great to have for a practice field at your workshop. If any team (even those not attending the event) would like to take the carpet, please contact us on our website http://www.nefirst.org/portfolio/ri-event/.

[Rick]

The Rhode Island District Event Planning Committee is committed to bringing our teams the best possible event. However, we currently find ourselves with a shortage of volunteers for the event.

If you or anyone you know (another team member, parent, friend) is available to fill any of the following positions, please sign up now! It only takes a few minutes. Instructions available here: https://my.usfirst.org//FIRSTPortal/VIMS/VIMS_Step_by_Step.pdf

PS: I promise the food will be good!

No Experience Required Positions:
Day 0 A/V Setup: 1
Day 2 A/V Teardown: 1
Day 0 Setup: 4
Field Reset: 6
Pit Admin Assistant: 1
Practice Field Assistant: 2
Safety Glasses Personnel: 4
Team Queuing: 3

Experience Required Positions:
Machine Shop Personnel: 1
Referee: 1
Robot Inspector: 1
Safety Advisor: 1

[Chi Meson]

QUick question:

Are the pits 10 x 10?

And I'm putting out the word for more volunteers from our way, although we really exhausted our resources here at home!

[Chi Meson]

Playing Field Carpet: After each event, the playing field carpet gets retired and a team may request to take home one or both of the carpet rolls – free! The rolls are 15 feet wide by 75 feet long and would be the great to have for a practice field at your workshop. If any team (even those not attending the event) would like to take the carpet, please contact us on our website http://www.nefirst.org/portfolio/ri-event/.

A note on those rolls of carpet. The full roll of half the playing field is CUMBERSOME but moveable. Expect to use 6 strong people, or 8 robotics team members to move it (heh heh). Bring webbing (straps). SAVE the CORE to make the roll-up easier.

Alternative: cut the 75 feet in half and you will have 4 much more manageable rolls that will provide a very decent practice field for a few years.

We did both: kept 1 full roll, and made 2 half-rolls. Someone said I was "frickin' nuts," but I am going to be very happy when we finally get a full-length field, and have a seamless carpet to put down on it.

[Rick]

Thanks to everyone for the great response on our volunteer search! We are excited for all the new volunteers in New England.

The final pit map and floor plan are available on http://www.nefirst.org/portfolio/ri-event/

Brian, the pits are 10'x10'.

[NotInControl]

Hello All,

As one of the few Alpha Test Teams for FIRST (We were given the 2015 control system to help FIRST with test development) we would like to bring this hardware along with us to the RI district and set up a display to show it off to the teams there.

We think this will be a great addition to the competition. Allowing teams to interact with the control system they will be required to use next year.

The control system is currently set up on our 2013 robot, the best way to demonstrate its capabilities to teams is to show it in action.

I am writing to see how/who/what needs to be done to allow us to set up some space in a hallway or something (I am unfamiliar with Bryant University's layout) so that we can have an area to drive our Alpha Demonstration Robot Around, and interact with teams, answer questions, possibly shoot frisbees in a closed off space. Have a table with a few computers set up, and possible internet connection for the duration of the event.

I know some of the other members of our team have already tried to contact a few people via email. I thought a post here would catch more visibility.

Please let me know, I need to know if I am bringing the extra robot to RI with us by Wednesday night.

All of this is merely to benefit the people who will be in attendance at RI.

Thanks,
Kevin

[BrendanB]

Sounds like this is shaping up to be a really good event! Looking forward to coming down on Saturday to check some amazing robots!

[Nathan Streeter]

I'm really looking forward to RIDE this weekend! It's looking like it'll be another new and well-run event with a great list of teams! I'm just hoping I can make it through this week of school...

[Zuelu562]

Agreed Nathan, strong team list, in a brand new location with a good heading when it comes to getting it run. This is going to be fun! See you all there!

[Rick]

Originally Posted by NotInControl

Hello All,

As one of the few Alpha Test Teams for FIRST (We were given the 2015 control system to help FIRST with test development) we would like to bring this hardware along with us to the RI district and set up a display to show it off to the teams there...

Kevin, we are happy to display the new system. Please send an email to RI<at>nefirst.org to coordinate.

[PAR_WIG1350]

Originally Posted by Nathan Streeter

I'm really looking forward to RIDE this weekend! It's looking like it'll be another new and well-run event with a great list of teams! I'm just hoping I can make it through this week of school...

RIDE?

I hope I can make it on Saturday, but this week is being crazy so I might be asleep.

[Rick]

Please visit our official website for all the information you and your team needs for the event this weekend. See you soon!

[Chi Meson]

Day Zero

Load-in at 3

Pits open at 5.

So very there!

We have something new to show you ...

[Rick]

The webcast is live at: http://new.livestream.com/nefirst/ri-ride

Check it out!