Update #8

[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.

[Kingofl337]

I think the wifi thing is a bad rule and because most venues have wifi and because the field runs at 5GHz/802.11n and most people use b/g 2.4GHz.

A better rule would be:
No robots running wireless in the pits, all robots must be tethered.
No 802.11n wifi hotspots
Wifi cards on DriverStation and Dashboard Computer must be disabled
All teams running WIFI in the pits must register with the event desk.

That or FIRST should provide a single 802.11b/g wifi hotspot for teams for scouting.