pic: 5742: The Best Team in B.C.

[dtengineering]

I am pleased to announce that the title of "The #1 FRC team in British Columbia" has been passed to the Walnut Grove Gators, of Langley, BC.

I am somewhat less delighted to announce that the title of "The ONLY FRC team in British Columbia" has also been passed on to them as well... but it is awesome to have a team in B.C. again, and I have really enjoyed working with them. One team is better than zero teams... which is where we've been since 1346 shut down.

Although they have a few things to finish up on Monday and Tuesday (signal light, some shielding... team numbers) this afternoon they stacked two totes and a bin, and started coding some autonomous.

They are competing in Calgary, so the robot is going to sit in its bag for six weeks, but FIRSTWA teams playing in Mount Vernon might have a few of these folks coming by their pits looking for some tips.

Way to go rookies! (You're doing a heck of a lot better than 1346 did in our first year.)

Jason

[Mr. Lim]

YES!

Welcome back to FRC, BC!!!

[serenagh]

Looks great! What type of drive train have you guys got?

[Kyle_5955]

It looks good. See you in Calgary!

[dtengineering]

It's the kitbot chassis, running 4xCIM to 6" AM wheels. Traction in the middle, omnis on the corners. The jump from 4" to 6" wheels gives them an edge in speed over the standard kitbot, and allows them to climb over the various platforms on the field.

In keeping with the theme of the game (and a rookie team's budget!) there is a lot of recycled COTs stuff and raw materials from the team 1346 inventory on this machine. I think the van door motor on the lift dates back to '07 and the omnis are '06 and '08 vintage. It is definitely the least expensive machine I've ever been involved in building!

Unfortunately I won't be joining them in Calgary this year, but I know they'll be in good hands with some experienced teams to help them out if anything massive goes wrong.

Jason

[Navid Shafa]

Originally Posted by dtengineering

"The ONLY FRC team in British Columbia" has also been passed on to them as well... but it is awesome to have a team in B.C. again, and I have really enjoyed working with them. One team is better than zero teams... which is where we've been since 1346 shut down.

Jason, either there has been a terrible mistake, or the old hockey sticks are in your with-holding weight.

Originally Posted by dtengineering

FIRSTWA teams playing in Mount Vernon might have a few of these folks coming by their pits looking for some tips.

Looking forward to seeing you and your new team!

[Duncan Macdonald]

Looking good!

If anyone stumbles into this thread looking to start something a little closer to the North Shore let me know...

[dtengineering]

Originally Posted by Navid Shafa

Jason, either there has been a terrible mistake, or the old hockey sticks are in your with-holding weight.

A new team needs to find their own signature style. For 1346 it was only in our second year that we fell in love with plywood, and it wasn't until 2008 that we added hockey sticks to the mix. A good style, like a good nickname, has to be discovered, or earned, rather than assigned I think.

Besides, taking hockey sticks to Calgary isn't nearly as unique as taking them to Seattle or Portland... hmm... maybe they could take some fresh Tulips and Daffodils from the garden and have a little bouquet on the robot. They won't be seeing many flowers in Calgary at that time of year!

And Duncan... please feel free to track me down at any of our VEX events. I'm usually at the tech inspection booth in the morning, then pretending to be useful in the afternoons. We've got one this weekend (Feb 21) at Alpha Secondary, in Burnaby and the PNW Championships at BCIT on March 7. It ain't quite FRC, of course, but there are robot teams in the city and on the North Shore that would love to have some experienced mentorship.

Jason

[Navid Shafa]

Originally Posted by dtengineering

A new team needs to find their own signature style. For 1346 it was only in our second year that we fell in love with plywood, and it wasn't until 2008 that we added hockey sticks to the mix. A good style, like a good nickname, has to be discovered, or earned, rather than assigned I think.

Absolutely, I just have fond memories of them and it came to mind. I'm looking forward to seeing what 5742 brings to the table.