Hello Maryland FRC teams,

I will be on vacation from October 13^th-20^th so there will be no newsletter next week.  I will be accessible by email if needed though my response time may be slower.

Initial Regional Event Registration
Initial event registration is open!!! Please take the time to get your team registered for your first choice event.  Registration for second events will begin on October 25^th and spots will fill quickly at that point.

There is a great resource on the NEMO site to help you choose your event (here).

Upcoming Training Opportunities
There are several local workshops coming up this fall for all teams.

1. Saturday, October 6: Maryland FRC Mentor Workshop Sessions at Capitol College
Thank you to those of you who attended the mentor training sessions on October 6^th.  The presentation material has been posted to the MarylandFIRST website, here.

2.  Saturday, November 3:  BAA Workshops at JHU APL
The Baltimore Area Alliance will host an Education Day on Sat. Nov. 3, 2012 sponsored by the JHU/APL STEM Program Management Office. The workshops are free, but registration is required. A $5 pp donation is requested to cover lunch. The workshops will be held from 8:30am – 4pm at the JHU/APL in Laurel.

To see the tentative agenda and location, and to register, visit: http://www.eventbrite.com/event/4463482396

These workshops are open to students, mentors, parents, and supporters of FRC in Maryland.

Kickoff Registration
Kickoff registration has begun.  The Chesapeake Regional Planning Committee is planning a local kickoff event at Capitol College again this year.  Teams can register through TIMS.  You’ll also be able to choose your delivery method for your kit of parts.  Keep in mind that if you elect to have your Kit of Parts shipped directly to you, you are responsible for the cost and you will receive your kit well after kickoff.  It is highly recommended that you choose to pick up your kit of parts at your local kickoff event.

NASA Grant Application
The NASA grant qualifications and application have been released.  Teams have until October 23^rd to submit their application.  As in previous years, there are grants for both rookies and veteran teams.  Please take the time to read the sponsorship descriptions to see which grant type is best for you.  All teams qualify for at least one type of grant and I urge you to apply.

2013 Kit of Parts KitBot Selection
NEW FOR 2013 – Veteran teams have the ability to choose to receive either the KitBot or a Product Donation Voucher (PDV) worth $450 of AndyMark products.  Veterans have until October 18^th to make their selection in TIMS.  Rookie teams will receive the KitBot in their Kit of Parts at Kickoff; rookies are not allowed to receive the PDV.  Here are the 2013 KitBot specifications released to date by FIRST:

• The 2013 KitBot will include the AndyMark C-Base chassis system and material needed to make a full six-wheel drive system with wheels similar to those from 2012.
• The gearboxes included are the ToughBox Minis with a 10.71:1 reduction which combined with the included wheels would result in an estimated final drive speed of about 10 feet per second.
• The 2013 KitBot will be driven by belts and pulleys instead of sprockets and chain.

Some things to consider before you make your decision:

• An estimated value of the KitBot components included in the kit of parts is approximately $600 if purchased directly from AndyMark
• Retrograding the included KitBot with sprockets and chain would cost just under $200.
• Independently making the recommended changes per the team 1114 KitBot on Steroids design (which would include changing the wheels to traction wheels and adding two additional CIM motors) would cost about $300.

Summary: Choosing to receive the KitBot and upgrading it to the KitBot on Steroids with chain = about $500 out of pocket but you get all the extra components including wheels and pulleys/belts for your use.

• Purchasing the KitBot on Steroids  with chain directly from AndyMark would cost about $750 (this would include the traction wheels, 4 CIM motors, and the C-base chassis, but none of the extra parts from the 2013 kit)
• Can use the $450 PDV to offset cost

Summary:  Choosing to purchase your own KitBot on Steroids starting with the 2013 KitBot = about $300 out of pocket.

Speed Controller 2013
Per the FRC blog, it has been announced that the Jaguar speed controller will continue to be an option available to teams for the 2013 competition season though it will be manufactured and distributed through IFI.  Several changes have been announced including the addition of conformal coating, which should help protect the Jaguar from metal shavings and dust, and a modification to remove the current limit protection to improve performance near the 40 amp breaker limits.

Based on the post, Victor Speed controllers will also continue to be legal though there is no word yet on the legality of the upcoming Victor 888 or the Talon speed controller.