Radios not working...

[E Jones 234]

We changed the team number on our OI to our own team number and now the radios don't work. If we tether the RC to the OI, then the controls work, but without the tether, we don't have a radio signal. HELP!

I'm thinking its the programmer's fault...

[mtaman02]

you set the team number on the OI plug the tether into the RC wait a few seconds after connecting the tether then unplug the tether but make sure you have the Power supply for the OI and plug it in. Everything should work.

and make sure the OI and the RC have the right modems attached (not reversed)

not trying to say what you did was wrong but you may have over looked something.

you didn't drop the OI or RC or modems on the floor did you, try a different db9 cable for each setup.

[E Jones 234]

modem?? What is the 'modem'? and when you change the team # do you need the robot on or off or does it matter? Our electrical engineer is not with us this year, so i'm on my own quite a bit and wish i had been more anal about watching everything he did last year...

[edit]It works now, Thanks so much! [/edit]

[mtaman02]

modem would be the rectangular piece about 3 - 4 inches long and about 2 inches wide.


whats was the problem and how was it resolved so that anyone else that has the same issue may take the same steps to fix their problem


when programming the team # via tether cable the OI (user interface) must be on, connect the tether cable to the tether port on both the OI to RC and turn the robot on,

-------------------INSTRUCTIONS READ ME FIRST-----------------------
***Note: the OI gets power from 3 sources,

1) the Tether port - the robot powers the OI for mobile use, the AC Adapter for the OI is not needed for a tether connection. - Use this connection for Competition when in the pits or at any other events. esp those such that require multiple robots in one area. A tether connection is basically by passing the need for radio modems because the OI and RC are always in Direct Connection.

2) The Competition Port - when at the competition the field area controller controls both power and communication to the robot - this port is used during game play at any off season - FIRST sanctioned event. The OI recieves not only a seperate channel (apart from the one thats default to work on) but power and the disability of the robot. at the touch of a button the field controller can disable / enable your robot. the AC Adapter is not needed for when you are using the competition port.

3) The AC Adapter plug - is used all the time for any other things you may wish to do with your robot.

***note: your robot can work on 4 or 5 different channels that have been put aside by Innovation FIRST for the user not in Game play to work off of your competition port controls what channels you can and cannot work on,

How to Make a Channel Adapter, - you need a DB 15 Male connector and its housing, and a small piece of wire, solder and soldering iron. All you do is solder the wire from Pin 12 to pin 8

You may also use a paper clip and short pin 12 to pin 8, BUT its a little bit more fragile,

once that is completed set the channel dipswitches to those specified in the Manual and you can have 5 robots going at the same time.

---------------------END OF INSTRUCTIONS--------------------

The robot will recognize the team number by either flashing blue or red on the LED clusters (if there attached) other wise refer to the OI to see if the robot is talking to the OI, it should only take but a few seconds for the robot to get the team number, once you unplug the tether cable plug in the OI directly to a wall outlet. with in a few seconds you should be able to tell if the robot is talking or not,