[CHS] Northern Virginia

[JesseK]

Here's to hoping the weather plays along nicely...

There are 6 teams which aren't mentioned here or in LF, probably becomes they haven't posted pictures of their robots. These teams have won multiple events over the last 4 years. It should also be mentioned that 116 figured out something non-obvious and yet insanely useful for 5-stackers to do last year, nearly winning them the DC regional. There are very creative people on that team...

I'll see you guys in my Black and White on Saturday.

[JesseK]

By the way - Saturday night dance is up to 150 kids...

Will post results of the dance-off once they're known.

[annzabelle]

2186 is pleased to announce that for the first time since stop build day 2013 our robot can both drive and manipulate the game piece. (Sidenote - do not use 80/20 for your chassis...)

We can bring a wooden low bar and a low goal to add to the practice area, if there's space. Also, I noticed that PW county is closed for snow tomorrow, including activities, but the fine print says that exceptions may be granted. Is an exception looking likely?

[kjohnson]

Originally Posted by Statement from FIRST Chesapeake

INCLEMENT WEATHER NOTIFICATION
Prince William County Schools have closed for Friday, March 4.
We are waiting for confirmation from the school on venue availability regarding the FIRST Chesapeake Northern Virginia Event.
Please check back later for additional information.

Updates will be posted to http://www.firstchesapeake.org/

[kjohnson]

Originally Posted by Statement from FIRST Chesapeake

INCLEMENT WEATHER NOTIFICATION
Prince William County Public Schools have closed for Friday, March 4.
Update, 10:00am March 4: The FIRST Chesapeake Northern Virginia Event is continuing as scheduled.

Event is a go.

[1629GaCo]

Weather, what weather!!! 1629 is pumped to be attending this district event with so many of our friends there, as we are excited to make new friends as well! It's almost go time!! Kick the tires and light the fires!!

[engunneer]

Crazy final matches! Glad the refs took the time to make the scores right.

Watching the F2, you can see a robot radio on the low bar platform, as it promptly gets run over!

Can't wait to see F3!

[notmattlythgoe]

I want to start of by saying that 1885 ILITE Robotics ran a fantastic event. The facility was very nice and logistically I have no complaints about the event at all. Thank you Gail for all of the hard work you and your team put into making the event run smooth.

Congrats to team 116 Epsilon Delta on their Chairman's win. There was some stiff competition at the event so this was a huge win.

Congrats to 1629 GaCo on the EI win. You guys deserve every bit of it. Fantastic team and one of my favorites in FRC.

Thank you to 1731 Fresta Valley, 1629 GaCo, and 5338 RoboLoco(fantastic 2nd pick btw) on some great finals matches. I'm sick about all of the scoring issues that happened through the final 2 matches. I never like to see alliances think they won just to find out they lost because the live scoring was so poor. Nobody feels good when those situations happen, including the field volunteers. You are some fantastic teams and we will most likely see all three of you on week 6 at the DCMP.

I for one very much enjoyed the first district event of the CHS district. I hope everyone is already seeing the benefits of the change from the Regional model. I know the switch can be difficult with the lack of Thursday practice day and the quick match turnaround, but it is well worth it in the end. Good luck to all of the teams at their second event.

[wjordan]

I watched primarily through the stream, and FMS issues aside, it seemed like a really well-done event. Major props to 1885 for putting the whole thing together.

[JesseK]

Does anyone have footage of elims - in particular the full field? The 'field' issue in F2 stemmed from a bad design detail or improperly-assembled ramp for the high goal boulders. This caused them to jam up, and apparently 5 of them did so in F2.

[wjordan]

Originally Posted by JesseK

Does anyone have footage of elims - in particular the full field? The 'field' issue in F2 stemmed from a bad design detail or improperly-assembled ramp for the high goal boulders. This caused them to jam up, and apparently 5 of them did so in F2.

2363 has a playlist of all of the elims here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...dA19_1d_C20itm

[1629GaCo]

2363, 1418, and 2421, great district win, we made you all earn it, and that you did! Great run.

2363 - Triple Helix - again, it was a please competing with and against you, we always have fun with you all, and you are a great team, dare I say, our favorite team to compete with!!! Great students and mentors.

116 - Congratulations on your CA, that is a great accomplishment!

*DISCLAIMER* - These are my opinions, and may not reflect the entire team!


As far as the District model, I am not a fan. There seems to be too much crammed into 2 days, and I think it takes the fun away from the competition. It could have been a product of the how long the field reset took (in which they did a great job with what they were given, the GDC will have to take a long hard look at doing that again). Teams should not be forced to play in a district if they would rather play in a regional. I know I will get some rebuttal about the forcing statement, but essentially you are forced to participate or take a chance at getting into a regional after everyone else has selected.

The venue was hard to see unless you were way up in the stands since it was on the same level as the playing field, I like the arenas much better. The only thing I liked about the venue was the parking! Zero security, zero organization, and wayyyyy too much deliberation on any tough decision!

[fnsnet]

Originally Posted by JesseK

The 'field' issue in F2 stemmed from a bad design detail or improperly-assembled ramp for the high goal boulders. This caused them to jam up, and apparently 5 of them did so in F2.

The tower ball counter was assembled as designed. The jam was the starting point of the issue, but it was caught and was handled properly post match. The issue would have ended there, except for some confusion over the FMS UI on the part of the scorekeeper. The UI has been adjusted to avoid this confusion in the future.

[JesseK]

Originally Posted by fnsnet

The tower ball counter was assembled as designed. The jam was the starting point of the issue, but it was caught and was handled properly post match. The issue would have ended there, except for some confusion over the FMS UI on the part of the scorekeeper. The UI has been adjusted to avoid this confusion in the future.

I reviewed this a bit last night and again tonight. I agree that the field was assembled correctly but for one thing, and it may have been related to a few missing field pieces that were rumored to have not shipped or misplaced(such as the capture indicator flags).

In GE-16097 (page 158 of the 'latest' field drawings) there are two diagonal-based polycarbonate panels called out. Item 4 (GE-16101) was correct and in-place on both sides of the field. Item 6 (GE-16103) was completely absent from both sides of the field. Item 6 would have prevented the boulder jams. You really have to zoom in on the main assembly drawing (GE-16097) to see that there are 2 polycarbonate panels that are supposed to be there.

[PayneTrain]

Originally Posted by notmattlythgoe

I for one very much enjoyed the first district event of the CHS district. I hope everyone is already seeing the benefits of the change from the Regional model. I know the switch can be difficult with the lack of Thursday practice day and the quick match turnaround, but it is well worth it in the end. Good luck to all of the teams at their second event.

Can you comment on stuff like inspection process, how many teams were ready or not ready, any difficulties or ease in getting all 6 teams on the field, etc.? Did y'all have any connection issues? When was the driver meeting; Friday night or Saturday morning?

Glad to see y'all won!