I have been interested in getting involved with something like Robowars for some time and the Ideas Festival gave me the opportunity to witness them first hand. Now the interest is enflamed and I am gunna do something about it.
I have no gear at all and not a huge budget. I am going to spend prob a month with a pen and paper before I purchase a thing, but will be looking around at what things there are to be purchased. First of which is RC gear, so my noob question is:
Should I get a std 4-6ch radio or one of these newfangled DX6 spread spectrum jobbies? I figure that at the 'bot end it'll be the same and I reckon I'd get an IBC too - is that the best thing?
ta muchly,
cj
Mon Apr 10, 2006 3:57 pm
Knightrous Site Admin
Joined: 15 Jun 2004
Posts: 8511
Location: NSW
Spend the extra and get a Spektrum... I drove Vertical Limits all weekend at the Ideas Festival without a single glitch using Spektrum, it even out performed Team KO's PCM radio which glitched a few times... There is nothing worse then sitting in the arena twiching because of the lack of radio, T2M suffered bad radio and lost two matches because it just simply couldn't move during the battle... _________________ https://www.halfdonethings.com/
Mon Apr 10, 2006 4:03 pm
andrew
Joined: 16 Jun 2004
Posts: 3110
Location: Castle Hill, Sydney. N.S.W
if u want get a IBC but it isnt critical especially for people starting out in this, mine and many others first machines when we wee first starting uses servo switch setups which only gave bang bang controll which was good enough but a IBc is very nice indeedy and certainly helps alot especially if u have a weopon to activate.
My robot Orbit (the one with the very large vertical disc) after its match against Jolt (overhead bar that is prob nastiest bot in Aus) after about 4 hits afrom Jolt and wheels propeed off ground the IBC box's top was sjifted and eveyrthing crooked and the cable ties that help Ibc in etc had snapped and it didnt skip a beat which was interesting.
But yeah as i tell all newbies into this thing if u ever wana chat or need any help or what not my msn is sir_welchalot@hotmail.com _________________ Andrew Welch, Team Unconventional Robotics
Mon Apr 10, 2006 4:37 pm
Philip Experienced Roboteer
Joined: 18 Jun 2004
Posts: 3842
Location: Queensland near Brisbane
Welcome, cj. You are in the same position as many of us were when we started.
You will find lots of useful robot type information by using the search function up in the top right hand corner of the screen.
I have never had any problems with my FM radio. You might consider PMing Nic, aka Original Carnage for a price on radios. He works at Wings over the Downs hobby shop. Marshal, Froggy au au, also works at a hobby shop.
I like using electronic speed controllers. They make controlling your robot much easier. Like Andrew, I also started with microswitching on/off controllers.
You might like to come to an event that is schedualed for easter Sunday. You can have a very close look at all of the robots and see exactly how they work. It is a friendly and relaxed event up at HoC. Nic is a great host. _________________ So even the rain that falls isn't actually going to fill our dams and our river systems
Mon Apr 10, 2006 5:30 pm
cj
Joined: 02 Apr 2006
Posts: 14
Location: Brisbane
Unfortunately I'm busy easter sunday, but am interested to come to the next QLD event - where is HoC?
cj
Mon Apr 10, 2006 6:27 pm
Philip Experienced Roboteer
Joined: 18 Jun 2004
Posts: 3842
Location: Queensland near Brisbane
28-30 King St, Goombungee. (40 mins NW from Toowoomba) _________________ So even the rain that falls isn't actually going to fill our dams and our river systems
Welcome cj that radio sounds ok from what ive heard there is a spectrum module thing just released for robot combat some one else can fill you in on the details but they are progrmed slightly diferent to the aircraft ones for fail safes etc .Some were haveing problems with the recievers that were deshinged for model planes.Hang off getting it until you get a little more info .
Tue Apr 11, 2006 9:39 am
cj
Joined: 02 Apr 2006
Posts: 14
Location: Brisbane
ta, won't be buying anything for about 2 months. wanna get all the info first.
cj
Tue Apr 11, 2006 10:55 am
NMO Experienced Roboteer
Joined: 16 Jun 2004
Posts: 486
Location: Melbourne
hi CJ, welcome to robot combat. The radio you are looking at is excellent from what we've seen over the past few months. However it currently has 1 majior drawback, it will bypass all the failsafe code in any addon or inbeded failsafe in either ibc or a module you add in between your radio receiver and speed controller (a failsafe shut's down all robot functions in the event of a loss of signal from the radio transmitter, and is required under the current rules)
The radio currently is supplied with the AR6000 receiver but the spektrum people will soon release the BR6000 receiver which solves this issue. Once this issue is resolved this radio appears to be the best solution currently available.
Tue Apr 11, 2006 4:45 pm
Knightrous Site Admin
Joined: 15 Jun 2004
Posts: 8511
Location: NSW
Or you can just buy the DX3 3 channel Wheel radio and not worry about the failsafing issue _________________ https://www.halfdonethings.com/
Tue Apr 11, 2006 5:19 pm
cj
Joined: 02 Apr 2006
Posts: 14
Location: Brisbane
I saw a 3 channel radio on eBay (#6049335682) for $360 and the dx6 appears to be around $430, so I reckon I'll just get a DX6. From other posts I have gleaned that the IBC is about the same cost as designing, building and destroying my own power drivers although there is a lot of 'learning' in that process. Also I have seen there is an Open Source Motor Control thing, it looks about the same price as the IBC, what's the consensus with that?
It seems to me that featherweight is the most popular, that's 13.63 - 27.27 Kg right? The rules mention a higher weight allowance for walking robots, is that the case. I haven't seen any - are they too hard to build?
cj
Wed Apr 12, 2006 7:42 am
Daniel Experienced Roboteer
Joined: 30 Aug 2005
Posts: 2729
Location: Gold Coast
Feather weights are 0 - 13.6kg (30lb). Lightweights are 0 - 27.2kg (60lb).
There is a 100% weight bonus for walkers. The reason why no one has built a walker is either because we arn't sure if we could build one that could survive combat or its because of all the discussions (arguments) about what is a walker. Have a look in the rules section and look for The Eternal Walker Debate thread and you'll see what I mean.
Wed Apr 12, 2006 7:54 am
cj
Joined: 02 Apr 2006
Posts: 14
Location: Brisbane
I had a look at that thread and now I have a headache Why can't it be that any bot that doesn't use wheels or tracks on the floor is a walker?
Cool on the weights, so I should aim for sub 13Kg.
cj
Wed Apr 12, 2006 8:10 am
prong Experienced Roboteer
Joined: 19 Jun 2004
Posts: 839
Because then you could just add little feet off the end of your wheels and get double the weight
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