Bluetooth Headsets+Drive Teams=?legality?

[IndySam]

3.14.3 Pit and competition Safety
Two-way radios: Not allowed in the Pit or near the playing field since they may interfere with robot operation and cause accidents

[eshteyn]

Originally Posted by IndySam

3.14.3 Pit and competition Safety
Two-way radios: Not allowed in the Pit or near the playing field since they may interfere with robot operation and cause accidents

Even if the radios are of the amateur radio service and work at a much higher frequency than the robot radios?

[Dan Petrovic]

Originally Posted by eshteyn

Even if the radios are of the amateur radio service and work at a much higher frequency than the robot radios?

It's better to be safe than sorry.

[eshteyn]

Originally Posted by InfernoX14

It's better to be safe than sorry.

Point taken, thank you

[Dave Flowerday]

Originally Posted by eshteyn

Even if the radios are of the amateur radio service and work at a much higher frequency than the robot radios?

Standard disclaimer applies that all discussion here is based on the rules as they existed in 2006 and prior, which may change this year (though I'd say it's unlikely)...

The rule was as stated above. There were no exceptions mentioned. If it was a two-way radio then it was not allowed, plain and simple.

Now, to provide a little reasoning to that, even if you're using a radio that operates at a different frequency it can still cause interference. All radio transmitters create "harmonics" which are signals at frequencies other than the intended transmit frequency. For example, if you were using a UHF radio around 450MHz, the first harmonic would be right around the frequency in use by our FIRST robots (900MHz). Depending on the power output and quality of the radio, this could easily be enough to cause interference with the radios in use on the robots. The radios we're using are only outputting signals in the milliwatt range, so even a 5W handheld could easily dominate them.

Further, from an administrative point of view, I'm sure FIRST does not want to burden volunteers with having to inspect a two-way radio to ensure that it will not interfere. It's easier to just make a blanket rule disallowing any of them and then the volunteers don't have to understand which frequencies are OK and which aren't, they can simply ask anyone using a radio to stop.

[IndySam]

Originally Posted by Dave Flowerday

Standard disclaimer applies that all discussion here is based on the rules as they existed in 2006 and prior, which may change this year (though I'd say it's unlikely)...

The rule was as stated above. There were no exceptions mentioned. If it was a two-way radio then it was not allowed, plain and simple.

That is from this years manual.

[Dave Flowerday]

Originally Posted by IndySam

That is from this years manual.

Yup, that's right... I forgot that they have already posted the non-game specific stuff.

[Rick TYler]

Would it be legal for us to stretch a string from the coaches' station up into the stands for a tin-can radio? I mean, it's not actually forbidden in the rules...

[Lil' Lavery]

Originally Posted by Rick TYler

Would it be legal for us to stretch a string from the coaches' station up into the stands for a tin-can radio? I mean, it's not actually forbidden in the rules...

I'm going to guess that it's a tripping hazard, and therefor a safety issue. And once the game rules are announced, it will probably be illegal. There is typically a rule stating something along the lines of "Drive Teams are not allowed special equipment unless they can demonstrate the need for it" (basically only allowing crutches/wheelchairs/etc.).

[eshteyn]

Originally Posted by Lil' Lavery

I'm going to guess that it's a tripping hazard, and therefor a safety issue. And once the game rules are announced, it will probably be illegal. There is typically a rule stating something along the lines of "Drive Teams are not allowed special equipment unless they can demonstrate the need for it" (basically only allowing crutches/wheelchairs/etc.).

Maybe its just me, but have the rest of you noticed the more and more restrictions applied to the game in the past years?

[N7UJJ]

I remember a few years ago, even cell phone use was not allowed in the pits due to possible RF interference. A cell phone, after all, is a wireless tranceiver. I don't think anyone enforces that ban anymore (if it is still baned), certainly not in the stands, but a cell phone is a wireless device.

[Elpants]

Originally Posted by eshteyn

Maybe its just me, but have the rest of you noticed the more and more restrictions applied to the game in the past years?

Cause bending rules is the way to go

[JamesBrown]

Originally Posted by eshteyn

Maybe its just me, but have the rest of you noticed the more and more restrictions applied to the game in the past years?

I wouldn't say more rules, just more specific rules. Things that were in the gray area last year are specifically allowed or not allowed now. This will allow for better continuity between regionals. Over all I think it is better. It isn't fun to compete one weekend with out problems only to have to change things a couple of weeks later to adapt to different interpretations of the rules.

[Rick TYler]

Originally Posted by Lil' Lavery

I'm going to guess that it's a tripping hazard, and therefor a safety issue.

Heh, I already thought of that. All sharp edges on the can will be sanded smooth and covered in foam gaskets. The string will be orange, and "CAUTION" tape banners will be hanging from it.

[hallk]

It is going to be hard to see the other side of the Rack this year. Maybe having team members with dry erase boards or something on the other side would help. Note I don't mean on the field I mean that the other team members would still be in the stands. This will be hard depending on where you are sitting and the arena but in the past it has been easier because the human player wasn't always behind the alliance zone-like in the '04 or '05 game with the tetras.