FIRST Kickoff

This page is for information and planning about the 2009 FIRST Kickoff to be held at Georgia Tech.

TODO

• Shipping Details
• Workshop Details

Dates

• Occurs on the first Saturday of January.
• 2009 date: January 3rd

Space

• Need to accommodate a minimum of 210 people (35 teams with 6 people per team) ... need more
• On average 250-300 people show up
• Current plan is to hold the whole event at the Ferst Center for the Arts.
  • Space Sponsored by RIM@GT
  • Directions

Basic Agenda

Setup @ 7:30 AM

• Should aim to be done by 8 AM

Arrival @ 8:30 AM

• Sign-in (1)
• Direction Signage (Provided by Ferst Center)
• Food

Guest Speaker @ 9:30 AM

• TBA from RIM
• Bob Stargel (Georgia FIRST Advisory Board Chair/Judge Advisor, Kimberly-Clark Corporation)

Announcements

• Pre-Ship Scrimmage Feb 14th and 15th
• Kit pick-up, Missing parts, Field Elements, Workshops
• Introduce Georgia FIRST website
• Teams need to remain in touch with their sponsors
• Scholarships

Broadcast @ 10 AM

• Digital NASA TV
• Information about receiving the broadcast

Technical Information

• Digital Satellite C-Band Downlink for continental North America:
• Uplink provider = Americom
• Satellite = AMC 6
• Transponder = 17C
• 72 Degrees West
• Downlink Frequency: 4040 Mhz
• Polarity: Vertical
• FEC = 3/4
• Data Rate r= 36.860 MHz
• Symbol = 26.665 Ms
• Transmission = DVB
• "Public" Programming:
• Program = 101 (HQ1), Video PID = 0111 decimal = 0x006F, Audio PID = 0114 decimal =0x0072, AC-3 PID = 0115 decimal = 0x0073
• "Education" Programming:
• Program = 102 (HQ2), Video PID = 0121 decimal = 0x0079, Audio PID = 0124 decimal =0x007C, AC-3 PID = 0125 decimal = 0x007D
• "Media" Programming:
• Program = 103 (HQ3), Video PID = 1031 decimal = 0x0407, Audio PID = 1034 decimal =0x040A, AC-3 PID = 1035 decimal = 0x040B

Field Viewing @ 12 pm

• Field will be behind the stage
• Field size 26' x 26' plus
• Friday set-up need large cloak of invisibility

KOP

• Should be handed out at the same time as field viewing
• Could be delivered early
  • Needs a place to be stored (securely)
  • Arrives on several pallets
  • Inventory when they arrive

Other Plans

Control System Demo

• After the kits are released, a kitbot robot will be built by RoboJackets to show off the control system.

Workshop

• See document
• Keep them tethered, no wireless

Nov 24th Meeting

• 450 ppl total
• 31 teams
• Kit delivery
  • Getting the kits early
  • Could be dropped off at TSRB
  • Separate company could receive and ship kits.
• Broadcast - GTCN
• Make maps of where to pick up kits
• Google maps for foods
• Ask NI about tweakers
• Send out e-mail to campus asking for experienced FIRST volunteers