Have you burned your reciver?

[Jim E]

Rule R59. Thanks for bringing this to my attention.

I agree with the rule of changing the configuration of the component, but simply opening the case forces you to buy new units to use in the competition? No. I do not agree with that.

We currently have an Analog breakout module with a blown 5V 3A regulator. Nothing against AndyMark, but they want $24.00 for a replacement. The faulty IC can be bought for $4.

If a local shop were to repair this module, then the part isn't legal in competition? No modifications were made to the circuitry.

An exception should be added to this rule. A team that declares a component was repaired, and has documentation that the circuitry wasn't altered from the original design should be allowed to compete with that component.

Again, I stress that opening the cRio, or one of those plug in modules is a terrible idea and is asking for trouble. These are too complex and should only be handled by NI. The same goes with the drivers station, the game adapter, the camera, Digital sidecars,and the Linksys router.

Everything else should be loosened a little to take into account for custom circuits. I may not want to use the analog breakout, but design my own interface with a 8 to 1 multiplexer on every input pin. This should be allowed. I have no intention of doing this, but just throwing it out as an example.