Bluetooth Headsets+Drive Teams=?legality?

[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.

[Protronie]

Originally Posted by eshteyn

Hey guys, here is my question, i have an amateur radio license and so does the mentor of our team, was it allowed to use a hand held amateur radio to communicate between the pits and competition floor between matches in the past years??

There is a rule about no walkie talkies ...rather that extends to you handheld ham rigs?
I would think so...

Nice thought .

[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.

[finni]

2007 FRC Manual 3.14.3: Two-way radios: Not allowed in the Pit or near the playing field since they may interfere with robot operation and cause accidents.

[Noah Kleinberg]

Originally Posted by 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.

This is sort of stretching the rules... I think if you have some member of your drive team watching the projection screen, presuming that there's a real time scoring type of thing up, you should be able to get enough information to at least tell where there are tubes.

[Pavan Dave]

Originally Posted by Noah Kleinberg

This is sort of stretching the rules... I think if you have some member of your drive team watching the projection screen, presuming that there's a real time scoring type of thing up, you should be able to get enough information to at least tell where there are tubes.

Maybe giant mirrors???? hehe. Just joking guys. It is not in the spirit of FIRST to bend the rules, and find loop holes, but in the real world loop holes and technicalities are the way to get the job done efficiently. So do we listen to real world survival techniques or Dean and Woody's booster speech?

Pavan.

[k3`]

Aren't they supposedly the same?