Help on programming.

[vlad]

Hi guys, I'm currently a project student assigned to work out on a VEX program. My school usually holds competition every year for the juniors and they wish to improve the competition. I've worked out a default code on my own and now im assigned to modify it in such a way that when the timer starts, i could use my own transmitter to send out a Radio Frequency so that the Robots built by the students could than move and when the time is up, my transmitter would automatically send another signal out to stop all the robots. Any idea what codes could i add to make it happen?

[basicxman]

you could hook extra recievers into everyones port 2 and all have the same crystal as yours
then they can run a function whenever a button is pressed from port 2 (your controller) use the 'rx input' command to read the button values

or i think you would be able to use this:
http://www.vexlabs.com/vex-competitions.shtml
The Vex Field Controller Kit

[vlad]

alright. i'll try. thanks alot.

[Kingofl337]

In easyC you could use a competition template. Once the transmitter is turned on the timer will start.

[Billfred]

If all you want is start-stop, IFI's put out the way to do it (PDF link) with hardware. Hack up a few handset cables, connect them to the tether ports of the radios, and you're rolling.

[whytheheckme]

Billfred's solution seems really simple. I like that one the best.

The Vex Field Controller Kit would probably be optimal, because its prebuilt, but I don't see any reason why building one yourself should be a problem.

If you wanted to go wireless, basicxman's solution is good. The only issue that I forsee with this is that everyone needs that bit of code in their program to compete. Furthermore, if their program malfunctions (gets stuck somewhere it shouldnt be), then maybe it won't shut off on time.

My 2 cents.
Jacob

[vlad]

thanks for the comments. having some problems trying to program it now. help any1?