Help! Radio not working

[Gamer930]

Right now our radios are not working at all. . . We tried to trouble shoot them best we can. . . Works fine with the tether, but once we disconnect it and hook up the radios we get nothing. . . . Both radios just flash standby. .
Tried re downloading the master code and user code and nothing. . .
Going to call IFI tomorrow but can't get to the robot during regular business hours. . . Would I be better off just to e-mail them the situation??

[edit]We did try different cables on the radios[/edit]

[aaeamdar]

Originally Posted by Gamer930

Right now our radios are not working at all. . . We tried to trouble shoot them best we can. . . Works fine with the tether, but once we disconnect it and hook up the radios we get nothing. . . . Both radios just flash standby. .
Tried re downloading the master code and user code and nothing. . .

We're in a similar situation. Our radio control seems to come in and out. Our biggest problem right now is a safety issue - the robot at some points stops getting data from the OI (I suppose) and just executes its previous command.

Now, I'll admit that I am not an expert at designing microprocessors, but how is this safe? We need our disable dongle to work to prevent damage to people, property, and robots. IFI talked about this issue in Updates 6 and 8, but as far as we could tell, their beta code didn't help one bit.

Also, if the beta version was released a week and a half ago, why hasn't there been a follow-up? If it works as intended for most teams (i.e. we're an anomaly), why hasn't it been declared a final version? If it doesn't work, why haven't they come out with a new version or at the very least acknowledged the problem?

I'm really puzzled by this. Does anyone have ideas/suggestions on how to fix this problem? We've tried normal and 14 beta master code, default code, the dongle, and switching cables. Any ideas?

Thanks,
Paul

[Bruno Inácio]

Ours radios are with same problem......Who knows how to correct them...?

Thank's

[legotech25]

A lot of people are having radio problems. Ours cuts in and out frequently, and some of the other teams that I talked to were having the same problem. We're going to switch over and use last year's transmitter/reciever for practice, but I don't know whats going to happen if this keeps up at the tournaments...

[Joe Ross]

Originally Posted by aaeamdar

Also, if the beta version was released a week and a half ago, why hasn't there been a follow-up? If it works as intended for most teams (i.e. we're an anomaly), why hasn't it been declared a final version? If it doesn't work, why haven't they come out with a new version or at the very least acknowledged the problem?

Have you called IFI and raised your concerns?

[Ultima]

For the past couple of days since we started to practice with our chassis we have noticed a very weird thing. Sometimes the robot seems to lose control, especially during the times at which victors supply a large amount of current to the motors. One time the robot accelerated by user input however when the joysticks were released the robot continued to proceed for the set of lockers at about 15 feet per second, once the robot hit the wall control was regained however our freaking frame was bent and the lockers suffered a terrible fate as well. After that incident there were 2 more not as dangerous but still leaving us with doubts about controlling the robot in the presence of people.

IFI - Please clarify on this issue.

[Eldarion]

I wonder if the new radios are more susceptable to multi-path interference, such as might be caused by a row of metal lockers across from the control station.

Why IFI abandoned the reliable radios from previous years is beyond me!

[Dave K.]

Originally Posted by Eldarion

I wonder if the new radios are more susceptable to multi-path interference, such as might be caused by a row of metal lockers across from the control station.

Why IFI abandoned the reliable radios from previous years is beyond me!

IFI's former radio vendor was unable to obtain parts to build more, so they had to come up with an alternative solution.


After receiving our radios back from IFI a few weeks ago, we saw an improvement, but still see quite a few communication dropouts. IFI has yet to offer us a solution so we have now turned to FIRST for help.


I see packet loss occurring at varying distances (5' to 50') and overall range appears to be good (150'-200') and for the most part seems to be coupled to demands on the electrical system, though Wednesday night we witnessed an event when the motors were not running. Neither a freshly charged, nor almost depleted battery seems to make any difference.

... and yes, radio problems have created some near misses with even my own toes.

Substituting old radios resolves the problem.