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India trip
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Daniel
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Joined: 30 Aug 2005
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Location: Gold Coast


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India trip

While looking at the RFL forum a few months ago I saw that David Calkins was asking people who would like a free trip to India to compete in a robot compitition. The applicants needed to be able to bring 2 feathers or 2 lightweights. I was feeling a bit bored that day so I applied for my brother and I to go. Well I was just told that we have been given a spot on the trip but we only get one free ticket. So only one of us can go but they must take both Devastator and Avenger.

Anyone know of a good way of getting enough money for a return plane ticket to India in about a month?

Post Thu Dec 21, 2006 9:08 am 
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Spockie-Tech
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Ah, so those guys are going ahead with their event !

I was talking to them a while back about the possibility of doing a RoboWars show in India, but they had no budget of note to work with and airfares from Australia to Inidia at the time of their festsival where huge (peak season), so the idea died.

They needed an Arena shipped over, and about 20 or 30 competitors over a period of 3 or 4 days, but unfortunately where right in the middle of a huge gap in Robot Activity planet-wise. they were about equally distant from all the current centers of robot combat activity, so it was going to cost them a fortune in airfares no matter which country they went with.. and the idea died.

Good to see they found a way of pulling it off.. Asking the competitors to pay airfares to India was a bit steep I thought though.

How to rustle up $2000 gratis ? Find a sponsor who want to put his name in front of the projected audience (Uni students ? not likely, they have no money), think about who else will be at this trade show, why they would want an Australian Product/Service, and then find someone who can do business with them, then offer to sticker your bot, wear their clothes, plug their company and do the usual corporate whore thing.. Smile

If you had a year or two to go through paperwork, you might be able to get an Australian Government Grant for "International furthering of Australia's technological Artwork" or something.. but you'll wear out $2000 worth of pens and forms applying for it though.

Hmm.. Company you work for as Tax Write off as a training expense, or Internation Promotions ?

Thinking of reasons why other people should pay for you to have fun is hard.. Wink
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Post Thu Dec 21, 2006 9:39 am 
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Nick
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Local sponsors = anyone who wants outsourcing staff in India Laughing. I can see return flights under $1K on Flightcentre, still a big ask though.
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Post Thu Dec 21, 2006 10:41 am 
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Daniel
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The Indians have built their own arena. I beleive the reason why we now only got offered one ticket instead of two was because they didn't realise how expensive polycarb is.

Post Thu Dec 21, 2006 4:38 pm 
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decalkins



Joined: 31 Aug 2004
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FYI: The event is TechFest - http://www.techfest.org/ I don't think it's strictly a Uni. event, but I'm not sure.

They DID build their own arena. I get to go inspect it before the competitors arrive.

I'm not sure how they got the money, but the airfares are upfront, so the show must go on.

Hope to see you all in SF in June.

Post Sun Dec 24, 2006 3:17 pm 
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Totaly_Recycled
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couldnt find any thing on that site about combat robots

Post Sun Dec 24, 2006 8:14 pm 
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decalkins



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Yea, I dunno why.

Post Thu Dec 28, 2006 3:35 pm 
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Daniel
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Well the Indians didn't send through the money but brought the plane tickets instead. Now Andrew is deffently going and we have 7 days to fix two robots. Shocked Confused

Post Tue Jan 16, 2007 10:12 am 
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kkeerroo
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For those who want to know why I havn't finished uploading my videos from last weekend or done up a damage report for Devastator it is because of this India trip. It has been a hassle, with many e-mail back and forward to Mr Calkins, Mr Rajat in India, the Indian consulate in Brisbane and Qantas. To give you an idea here is the latest e-mails from Mr Calkins:

" Andrew:

I'm in India now. I broght 4 30 lbers, and paid the US416 as below...

Can't speak for Quantas. Usually in'tl airfare lets you take 2 bags
up to 40kg total (100 pounds). That's always been my experience. Are
you sure she wasn't thinkg 20kg per bag?

All:

VERY IMPORTANT.

Write up a letter on letterhead (even if you make up the letterhead)
from your Univ./company.

Just a short para saying ex\ssentially the below:

Indian Customs:

{name} is brining 2 robots to India of the Internatinal TechFest.
Toatl value of the robtos and parts are {amt}. These robots are for
demonstration purposes n INdia, and are not being imported into India.
Thery werehomeb-built in {country} and will be brought out of India
after the event. They are not for sale in INdia.

Sign in. Doesn't hav to be perfect. Make sure you bring this with
you. Rajat should also be sending you a letter from Techfest. VBring
both with you!
"

and

" If you have any probelsma t customs on arrival, talk to teh customs
guy and show him your letters. If this still doesn't work, ask him to
go out teh front door and get your contact - Rajat. This is what I did.

I spent an hour+ in customs, they originally wanted $750 as they were
convinvced I was bringin the robots into India to sell. Once they
were convinvced they weren't for sell, they let me out.

I'm sorry about all the pain here guys... It's pretty typical of
Int'l travel as I've experienced it (I'm sure Joe knows...). It will
be painful, but rememebr to be patient. It WILL be fun, but it's like
building a robot - there are always pains you have to go trhough first.

Patience, politeness, and calm will work at custsoms - just like
building robtos.
"

This is going to be an interesting trip!
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Post Mon Jan 22, 2007 10:34 pm 
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Spockie-Tech
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Good luck with the trip guys Cool

Do we get the Kero next-best-thing-to-live-video uploads from India as well ? Wink (I'm sure you'll have plenty to do - 1 person running two bots for a 1 day event in another country ? eek)
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Post Mon Jan 22, 2007 10:40 pm 
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kkeerroo
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I am trying to pack as light as possible so the cameras might have to stay at home.
As far as I can tell the actual robot "show" will start at 6:30pm on the first evening and is a one night only type thing. It doesn't sound like much time.
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Post Mon Jan 22, 2007 10:50 pm 
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kkeerroo
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I'm off to India and will see you if I get back (or if I find an internet connection while I am over there).
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Post Wed Jan 24, 2007 6:40 am 
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Ajax
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Good luck and have fun.
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Post Wed Jan 24, 2007 11:52 am 
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Daniel
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where's my brother? He better not have lost my robot.

Post Thu Jan 25, 2007 2:25 am 
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kkeerroo
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I am here. The locals are very friendly. I am here with mister Calkins but no-one seems to know what is going on. I am going to look for some breakfast.
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Post Thu Jan 25, 2007 12:28 pm 
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