Mounting New Radio

[marshall]

Has anyone come up with a good method for mounting the new radios? They have feet on the bottom of them that prevent velcro from making great contact. Anyone come up with a good solution? Is there a CAD model for these things yet and is a custom mounting solution possible?

[notmattlythgoe]

Originally Posted by marshall

Has anyone come up with a good method for mounting the new radios? They have feet on the bottom of them that prevent velcro from making great contact. Anyone come up with a good solution? Is there a CAD model for these things yet and is a custom mounting solution possible?

Duct tape is a no go?

What about velcro straps similar to the battery mounts?

[marshall]

Originally Posted by notmattlythgoe

Duct tape is a no go?

What about velcro straps similar to the battery mounts?

I'm old school FRC; duct tape is always a no go with me.... unless it's zebra striped!

I do like the idea of a housing and strap system though similar to these battery mounts: http://www.andymark.com/product-p/am-0477.htm

[Joe Ross]

When we tested the new radio at IRI, we zip-tied it, just like we did with the dlinks.

[marshall]

Originally Posted by Joe Ross

When we tested the new radio at IRI, we zip-tied it, just like we did with the dlinks.

Any pictures? We've always used velcro to hold the dlink radios.

[notmattlythgoe]

Originally Posted by marshall

Any pictures? We've always used velcro to hold the dlink radios.

[SuperBK]

Funny guy, right here.

[jwfoss]

Open-Mesh does sell their own mounting enclosure.
In 2014 558 used a some standoffs and a piece of polycarbonate to make a sleeve for our radio, 2015 we just used Velcro.

[Mark McLeod]

If you leave the status lights exposed, I suppose you could mount the velcro on the smooth top instead of the bottom. Attached are photos of how we tried mounting it this way when it was being gang tested with a 5v switch. It's too unsteady for competition use though. We just wanted easy access to the ports and easy visibility of the status lights. The slightly rounded top worked better with an extra piece of double-sided tape under the "wings" so to speak.

We zip-tied and velcro strapped ours on when it was used in off-season competition matches.

I think for competition we might go with a 3d printed open sleeve emphasizing removability, ventilation, status light visibility, and port/power access.

[marshall]

Originally Posted by Mark McLeod

I think for competition we might go with a 3d printed open sleeve emphasizing removeability, ventilation, status light visibility, and port/power access.

Yeah, this is what I would like too.

[topgun]

Sounds like a challenge for CAD students to put their skills to use before the season starts. I look forward to seeing the many ideas that result.

[billbo911]

Originally Posted by Mark McLeod

... with a 5v switch. ...

How well did that TRENDnet switch work for you? Were there any issues with it at all? It seems like a good choice for adding additional ports.

[Mark McLeod]

Originally Posted by feverittm

... the version that is currently being tested by the Beta test teams is a 12V units and not 5V as it was in previous years.

Something I did was make sure to flag each barrel connector with the voltage it is carrying and the device it is to provide power to. I also flag the positive wire with a red flag at the VRM end to lessen the chance of a miswire there.

Originally Posted by billbo911

How well did that TRENDnet switch work for you? Were there any issues with it at all? It seems like a good choice for adding additional ports.

I haven't had any issues with it. It's nice and light.
It couples nicely with the radio and one shared VRM, since the radio takes from the 12v side and the switch takes from the 5v side.

[nuclearnerd]

Originally Posted by jwfoss

Open-Mesh does sell their own mounting enclosure.

Their indoor enclosure is a bit easier to pull the radio in and out, and it has cutouts for the indicator lights.

[s1900ahon]

Originally Posted by Joe Ross

When we tested the new radio at IRI, we zip-tied it

We did too, but the specific way we did it was probably not that good.

At IRI we noted that there were some features to wall mount the radio and used these to slide (slowly and gently) a zip tie through from one end to the other. We then used a second zip tie to form a loop and secure the radio to a 1x1 VEX tube.

Later inspection of a radio by Big Al showed that there are small coax segments that we could have damaged if we were more forceful. We lucked out.

So, we should be careful about how we zip tie. I'm thinking of tasking one of the team members to come up with a 3D printed connecting platform that uses 4 short barbs on the sides to grip half-way up the venting slots on the side. A bit like a phone case. If this is successful, I'll have the student share the design.