Rumor or Real: RF Tether product

[Alan Anderson]

Originally Posted by russell

Basically, there is a way to use the radio modem to actually send bytes to the RC isnt there? If so you write your own dashboard type interface, which sends the program one byte at a time to the RC,...

The dashboard is a "listen-only" interface. You cannot send bytes to the RC using it. The only data you can control via the radio modem link is what the OI reads from the four joystick ports (and the two sanctioned pins on the Competition Port). If you want to send specific bytes, you'll have to control the joystick switch inputs to do it.

[Mike Soukup]

Originally Posted by russell

Obviously not. If wireless communications to or from the robot was illegal then why is only 15 seconds of the match autonomous? Think this through. You push the joystick forward... The robot goes forward. How do you think the robot knows to go forward? (hint: the robot does not watch you with a camera and see when you push the joystick forward so it knows to go) Just for the sake of keeping this thread short I will just tell you. It uses this little thing we in FIRST call a radio modem, which uses what is commonly known as wireless communications to send and receive data to and from the robot. If you read my post, the system I described simply utilizes the perfectly legal connection that is already there. Sorry, Im getting sleepy.

I'm confident that Mike Betts knows what wireless communication is, he's been around FIRST competitions much longer than you have. Nor does he need a lecture on how FIRST robots work, he knows more than you do. The insulting attitude of your post was uncalled for and added nothing to the discussion. If you want to prove how smart you are by belittling Mike or anyone else, take it to PM or email.

And by the way, there is still wireless communication between the OI & RC during autonomous mode. Maybe you should get your facts straight before attempting to be a know-it-all.

[Mike Betts]

Mike,

Thanks for coming to my rescue but it is not necessary... I have a pretty thick skin.

If anything, I am guilty of losing my temper (not a good thing)...

I just get a bit perturbed when people post on subjects which a passerby may interpret to be "cheating".

FIRST made it very clear that communications between the robot and operators must be exactly the same for everybody. This is why they do not give you the Master source code. This is why the dashboard is one way communication. And this is why no other communications device is allowed.

It is the spirit and the intent of the rule which is at stake here.

At least half of the teams have team members with the technical competence to install a two way communications device onto their robot and most would be able to make it so stealthy that a FIRST inspector would never find it.

At risk is the other half of the teams (mostly rookie) who read these threads and say "It's OK! Team 1430 is cheating so we can too!" or "I saw a post by Russell who says that this is legal!".

At risk is a mentor or sponsor backing away from a program like this because they do not want to be involved with less than ideal ethical issues.

At risk is what people like you and I have worked so hard at for so many years being undermined when people post about ways to circumvent the rules.

Thanks anyway...

Mike



Russell,

My apologies for snapping at you in my post. You are not the only person who is tired this time of year...

Regards,

[russell]

Ok, now im in a much better mood and, apology accepted and returned.
And I guess my idea wouldnt work.... Unless you did like Alan said and used the digital or analog inputs for joysticks to transfer the program...(As if the other idea wasnt slow enough) Is there a rule against plugging your computer into the joystick ports? I am gonna look that up in a second, in the mean time I am gonna delete that other post. Sorry about that.

[steven114]

You can't hook the computer up to the joystick ports - there is a rule (don't remember which one) expressly prohibiting this.

[russell]

Blasted rules. Someone should start a FIRST without rules. Except maybe weight, size, and build season limits. But other than that you are free to destroy, reprogram wirelessly, or otherwise do fun stuff. I think im getting tired again. Id better shut up.