Build Your Own Combat Robot

FIGURE 8-4
Typical radio
frequency crystal
pair. (courtesy of
Futaba)
Chapter 8: Remotely Controlling Your Robot 165
When selecting a radio system, make sure it will allow you to change the transmitting
frequencies. Because it’s likely that at least one other person at a competition
will be using the same frequency that you want to use, you will want to be able to
change the frequency of your R/C equipment to avoid frequency conflicts. When
this happens at a match, everyone loses control of their robots. This is also why
you display the frequency number flags on your transmitter’s antenna so that everyone
else will know what frequency you are currently using.
At some matches, organizers control the frequencies that can be used and will
issue the appropriate frequency crystals prior to each match. Other organizations,
such as BattleBots, will impound your transmitter when you show up. Your transmitter
will be returned to you prior to a match, during the 15-minute testing session
and safety inspections, and after the event is over. Impounding transmitters is an
extreme, but effective, method for preventing radio frequency interference.
Prior to competing, you should have at least two different sets of crystals so that
you can change them to avoid frequency conflicts during the competition—especially
if you are competing in multiple-robot rumbles.
True Story: Stephen Felk and Voltronic
Stephen Felk had a wild ride on the wayto his most memorable fight—his veryfirst.
Although Stephen started out as an engineering student at Northwestern University
way back in 1970, engineering studies didn’t keep his attention. He soon switched
to the arts, and found himself in San Francisco dabbling with a variety of artistic
endeavors: sculpture, music, even acting. But then a chance event changed his life.