Update #8

[EricH]

I'm somewhat surprised at CD in general. I'd have thought this update's existence would have been announced here hours ago...

http://usfirst.org/uploadedFiles/Rob...Update%208.pdf

The good news: FP motor pinion replacements are being handled through FRC, plus info on replacement cRIOs

The bad news: no setting up any 802.11 a/b/g/n wireless communication at the events.

[Brandon Holley]

Everyone's busy building robots Eric!

Glad the FP pinion confusion is being taken care of...

-Brando

[Alex Cormier]

We are now allowed to use two way radios?

[rsisk]

Originally Posted by Alex Cormier

We are now allowed to use two way radios?

That's the way it looks to me.

[MrForbes]

The pinion confusion is just starting....we built a gearbox that uses the 15 tooth pinion gears that we recieved in the KOP.

Is it legal to use either pinion? or do we need to redesign and use the 19 tooth?

[Mike Betts]

Originally Posted by squirrel

The pinion confusion is just starting....we built a gearbox that uses the 15 tooth pinion gears that we recieved in the KOP.

Is it legal to use either pinion? or do we need to redesign and use the 19 tooth?

Jim,

If the motors themselves are identical, there should be no issues. If different, FIRST could require replacement or allow both.

Inspectors will normally accept a motor on its markings and not on the pinion gear.

I would definitely post your concern to the official Q&A.

Mike

[ATannahill]

I checked it yesterday at 5:40 and it was not up, I thought they had nothing to say and didn't put one out.

[GaryVoshol]

Originally Posted by Alex Cormier

We are now allowed to use two way radios?

Still prohibited by <T27>.

[Jonathan Norris]

Originally Posted by GaryVoshol

Still prohibited by <T27>.

Prohibited to have on the field, but for stands to pits communication we will probably be using one. Especially when we are in Pittsburg, international calling is expensive...

[PaW]

Originally Posted by EricH

The bad news: no setting up any 802.11 a/b/g/n wireless communication at the events.

That's too bad, but understandable. It's going to be hard to enforce. Anyone in the crowd NOT associated with a team and/or unfamiliar with the rules can come into the venue with a Cradlepoint or a MiFi and set up a hotspot without knowing that doing so is prohibited. Imagine the already inconsistent pat-down procedures at the venue entrance, now with the added responsibility of checking for mobile hotspot devices.

[EricH]

Originally Posted by PaW

That's too bad, but understandable. It's going to be hard to enforce. Anyone in the crowd NOT associated with a team and/or unfamiliar with the rules can come into the venue with a Cradlepoint or a MiFi and set up a hotspot without knowing that doing so is prohibited. Imagine the already inconsistent pat-down procedures at the venue entrance, now with the added responsibility of checking for mobile hotspot devices.

The field guys can figure out what networks are around pretty easily; they were checking last year. Then it's just a matter of finding the source router and politely requesting that they shut down the network.

Just a smidge harder than checking for IR coming from the crowd back in 2008...

[ATannahill]

There are a few interesting things in the twitter feed information at http://usfirst.org/uploadedFiles/Com...ter%20Feed.pdf.

1. They are prepared for scores to go to three digits.
2. They talk about bonuses that the referees give to teams, I expect these are points from the finale hanging.
3. Goal penalties are seperated from ref penalties (I would prefer them to spell out some of the words instead of doing this).
4. Ref penalties go into double digits and goal penalties go into triple digits.
5. I believe final score for the example should be 0 (-1) for red and 5 for blue.

[Karibou]

Originally Posted by EricH

The bad news: no setting up any 802.11 a/b/g/n wireless communication at the events.

Hasn't this been a rule for the past few years, though? We used to run a wireless network to share our scouting system/"website," but I think that the last year we were allowed to use it was 2008, and even then, we may have been asked to turn it off (I can't remember).

[DonRotolo]

Originally Posted by Karibou

Hasn't this been a rule for the past few years, though? We used to run a wireless network to share our scouting system/"website,"

Yes, my memory agrees. We were also given special permission several times to run an AP which shared our scouting data with anyone who wanted it. This was requested several weeks in advance. In one venue we had to run this service wired; people would come over every so often and just download the data file. Real busy at the end of the day Friday...

[keehun]

In regards to Wifi connectivity, what about some venues that have Wifi installed? Like at Minnesota 10,000 Lakes, we're in middle of the University of Minnesota campus and we get 5-bars wifi. I have a student ID at Minnesota which means I get all the internet I want. I guess I don't really have any point but wanted to bring it up.