Hints For FCS Success

(Note: on a 64 bit computer, the programs may be under "C:\Program Files (x86)" instead of C:\ProgramFiles" as stated below.)

1.      Make sure you have installed Program Chooser, and run it on your NXT brick to choose your TeleOp Program.

·         Labview:

·    "c:\Program Files\National  Instruments\LabVIEW 2010\examples\FTC Toolkit\Program Chooser 2.0\Program Chooser.vi"

·   If you don't have a FTC Toolkit directory, you can get the FTC Toolkit from: http://digital.ni.com/express.nsf/bycode/ftcsoftware?opendocument&lang=en&node=seminar_US

·   Program Chooser installs to the NXT under "Software Files"

·         RobotC:

·   "C:\Program Files\Robotics Academy\ROBOTC for MINDSTORMS\Sample Programs\NXT\Try Me Program Source\Program Chooser.c"

·   Program Chooser installs to the NXT under "Try Me Files"

2.      Make sure you are using this year's official FIRST Templates:

·         RobotC: "C:\Program Files\Robotics Academy\ROBOTC for Mindstorms\Sample Programs\NXT\Templates"

·         LabVIEW: "c:\Program Files\National Instruments\LabVIEW 2010\examples\FTC Toolkit\Templates"

3.     Read and follow the Samantha Mounting Best Practices:

·         In the picture below, find the little squiggly line near the top of the circuit board in the middle picture: this is the antenna.  This end needs to be pointed up and not buried in a bunch of metal.  The Mounting Best Practices explain the proper mounting position.

http://www.usfirst.org/uploadedFiles/Community/FTC/Team_Resources/Samantha_Mounting_Best_Practices.pdf

4.     Install the Wireless Diagnostic Utility: Samostat:

·         Labview: C:\Program Files\Samantha Field Control System\Labview\samostat.vi

·         RobotC: C:\Program Files\Samantha Field Control System\RobotC\samostat.c

5.    Install and practice with the Samantha Field Control System
http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/ftc/samanthadocs.aspx?id=17465 (scroll down)

·         Test under a variety of robot conditions, simulating a competition.

·         Test under heavy motor loads (changing directions, going up inclines, pushing things around, with low batteries).  You may need to have your motors coded to less than 100% power to help avoid drawing down the 12v battery voltage too much, causing Samantha to restart.

·         If you don’t have your own wireless router, (or even if you do!) get some real world experience by attending a Scrimmage.

FTC-Iowa Team Blast: Week #13

Good morning, Coaches!

You are receiving this e-mail because you are a coach or an assistant coach for an FTC-Iowa team.
(Have you missed a FTC-Iowa Team Blast? An archive of these messages are located on our blog: http://ftc-iowa.blogspot.com/)

1. November Status Reports
2. FTC-Iowa Championship
3. Getting Your Team Prepared for an Event
4. Optional Robot Survey
5. Experiences from the St. Louis Qualifier Tournament

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1. November Status Reports
Just a "friendly" reminder, the November Status Reports will be open until tomorrow (Wednesday, Dec. 8th) for teams to complete. If you haven't already done so, please take a few minutes to complete it.
The information provided really helps us determine which teams need help and how to assist them.
The form can be found at: https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?hl=en&formkey=dEdXTXVLY19tV2ZkbzFWcGZxeUlUc1E6MA#gid=0

Thank you to those teams who have already submitted their report!

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2. FTC-Iowa Championship
The FTC-Iowa Championship is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 25/Saturday, Feb. 26 at the Iowa Memorial Union in Iowa City. Tournament planning is coming together very nicely and its going to be a great event.
A link to register and information about the event can be found at: https://sites.google.com/site/ftciowacoaches/project-definition/ftc-iowa-championship

A few quick notes about the event:

• If you have not already registered, please do so prior to December 15, 2010 to guarantee a spot. (See link above) After Dec. 15, we will allow teams from outside of Iowa to register for the competition, and we will not be able to guarantee your team's registration.)
• The capacity for the tournament is 48 teams.
• There is a $275 registration fee to attend this tournament, which is different than the $275 FIRST Registration fee your team paid at the beginning of the season.
• If you received Rockwell Collins funding (94% of teams), you agreed to participate in an Championship event.

Thank you to those team who have already registered!

Additionally, we are seeking volunteers! If you have a fantastic parent/teacher/student (over the age of 13) who would like to be involved, please encourage them to volunteer at the tournament. Information can be found at:
https://sites.google.com/site/ftciowa/volunteers

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3. Getting Your Team Prepared for an Event
Getting your team (mentally) prepared for an event can seem daunting, especially for the new/rookie teams. A few things to keep in mind:

• Your robot will NEVER be 100% ready.
• Attend an event (scrimmage/championship event) regardless of how ready your team feels they are.
• Robots do not work 100% of the time.
• Scrimmages do not require completed robots. Scrimmages are opportunities for teams to learn from other teams.

Also, FIRST has created a website to help teams as they prepare for events. Check it out at: http://usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/ftc/content.aspx?id=18432
Good stuff!

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4. Optional Robot SurveySeveral students from Cedar Rapids Jefferson, a FTC and a Project Lead The Way school, are asking for your help in gathering some feedback.  The feedback provided will help them as they work on a PLTW project. All responses will be anonymous.
Please help these students by completing the following form: https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?hl=en&formkey=dHVFUFF1b2NZd3JwU2NEM0ZsSzhsWkE6MQ#gid=0
It will be open for one week, until Dec. 14, 2010.

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5. Experiences from the St. Louis Qualifier TournamentAs mentioned in last week's e-mail, a group of wonderful volunteers attended and volunteered at the St. Louis Qualifying Tournament this past weekend. Overall, it was a great event and the teams did great!

However, there were some items we'd like to pass along. As a coach, please remember:

• The referees have final calls. Do not argue with them, as your behavior could lead to your team's disqualification from the tournament.
  A team was almost disqualified for their coach's behavior. (Ironically, this particular team ended up competing in the final matches of the game.) The other coaches, parents, and volunteers were noticing this not-so-nicely behavior and expressed their concern.  In summary, he was not a positive representative of his school/organization and team.
  

• Question box
  Near each field will be a taped-off area for teams to ask a question to the referees about a particular call from the previous match. Please keep in mind, this area is for one student to ask the referees a question - coaches are not allowed in the question box area.
  
• Team judging time
  The judging time is a the best opportunity for teams to "toot-their-horn" about their robot and the overall season. If your season hasn't gone the best, but in the end you pull through, please let the judges know. Keep in mind, awards are not determined solely on the robot performance - the awards are determined based on the journey of the team during the season.
  
• Samantha Mounting GuidelinesDuring many matches, several teams were losing their connections to the Field Control System due to poor placement of the Samantha Wi-Fi module. Keep in mind, if your robot loses connection, there is no a guarantee the match will be replayed. As you prepare for an event, please review the guide FIRST distributed about proper mounting of the Samantha Wi-Fi module. It can be found at:
  http://www.usfirst.org/uploadedFiles/Community/FTC/Team_Resources/Samantha_Mounting_Best_Practices.pdf
  Please review the FTC Team Blast (from ftcteams@usfirst.org) dated Nov. 18 for more information about Best Practices with Samantha. An archive of team blasts can be found at: http://usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/ftc/content.aspx?id=18132

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Thank you, coaches, and please do not hesitate to ask if you have any questions.
Rebecca Whitaker & FTC-Iowa team

FTC-Iowa Team Blast: Week #12

Hello, Coaches!

You are receiving this e-mail because you are a coach or an assistant coach for an FTC-Iowa team.
(Have you missed a FTC-Iowa Team Blast? An archive of these messages are located on our blog: http://ftc-iowa.blogspot.com/)

1. November Status Reports - Now Open!
2. FTC-Iowa Championship Registration
3. Scrimmage Registration
4. Check out Ken's Blog
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1. November Status Reports - Now Open! The link to complete a November report is now open. You can find it at:
https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dEdXTXVLY19tV2ZkbzFWcGZxeUlUc1E6MA

We would like 100% of the teams to complete this report. Remember, if you are a coach of multiple teams, please fill out one for each of your teams.

This report will close on Wednesday, Dec. 8th.

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2. FTC-Iowa Championship Registration
If you have not already done so, please register for the FTC-Iowa Championship at:
https://sites.google.com/site/ftciowacoaches/project-definition/ftc-iowa-championship 

The deadline for Iowa teams to register is Wednesday, December 15, 2010. At that time, we will open the remaining spots to out-of-Iowa teams.

Please remember, if you received a Rockwell Collins grant (94% of the teams), you agreed to participate in a tournament with your team. There is a $275 registration fee to compete in FTC-Iowa tournament. (This is different than the $275 FIRST registration fee at the beginning of the season.). Teams may attend up to three tournaments during the season. Please keep in mind, other tournaments may have a lower registration fee, but the travel accommodations may be more expensive. 

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3. Scrimmage Registration
Attending a scrimmage is one of the best opportunities for teams to learn. These events are free and we encourage all teams to attend at least one scrimmage.

Due to various facility capacity requirements, we must have an accurate count of the teams to attend. Please register for the scrimmages at: https://sites.google.com/site/ftciowacoaches/project-definition/Events

Our first scrimmage is on Saturday, Dec. 18 at Kirkwood Community College!

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4. Check out Ken's Blog
We encourage you to check out Ken's blog at: http://firsttechchallenge.blogspot.com/
Good stuff!

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This weekend a group of us will travel to St. Louis to check out the St. Louis Community College - Florissant Valley Qualifier. We'll be taking many, many, notes. Just as a heads up, next season, FTC-Iowa will be implementing qualifying tournaments.

Thank you teams and please do not hesitate to ask if you have any questions.
Rebecca Whitaker & FTC-Iowa team