Need help. want to setup wifi connectivity for a kids robotics event
Posted by determined_warrior@reddit | sysadmin | View on Reddit | 20 comments
I coach a few school teams that participate in robotics events (FLL, WEX, FTC). those events typically attract 100 to 300 kids and coaches in some high school. the connectivity is usually poor as local cellular towers are overwhelmed and some event locations are in basement.
I want to provide wifi access for these people. I have some spare Unifi equipment (UDR7, UX7 and similar). I also have a starlink dish with a starlink plan (that I can upgrade). I also have a bunch of US mobile (t-mobile, Verizon, att) sims with unlimited 5g access.
My budget (to buy new equipment) is limited to less than $1000 (ideally less than $500).
what is best advise that this group can provide to set up wifi access.
We will be in different locations every weekend but will be in DMV (dc, md, va) area of USA.
miwi81@reddit
I’ll save you a bunch of time: this is strictly prohibited by FIRST.
determined_warrior@reddit (OP)
thanks. good to know. can you refer me to where it’s documented?
Ssakaa@reddit
In 2025GameManual-14EventRules.pdf at:
https://www.firstinspires.org/resources/library/frc/season-materials?view=calendar
determined_warrior@reddit (OP)
Thanks, I see. I think its specific to FTC because you need an adhoc network to communicate with the robots.
In any case, I will reach out to local FTC management and get clarifications.
LyokoMan95@reddit
It is the same E301 rule in FTC as well: “No wireless communication. Teams may not set up their own Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax/be) wireless communication (e.g., access points or ad-hoc networks), Bluetooth, or any other communications systems using 2.4GHz or 5GHz wireless in the venue.” https://ftc-resources.firstinspires.org/ftc/game/manual
zealeus@reddit
They do, but there’s a misunderstanding of what WiFi is needed for. Each robot connects to a drivers station to operate over WiFi. Teams set that up - events do not.
Events do set up a local, private WiFi network for scorekeeping. Just 1 router can be used and it is not for everyone connect to - it is just scoring devices.
IMplodeMeGrr@reddit
This is at the event level, not team level and should preclude the team rules. I would check with FIRST on event based services.
miwi81@reddit
Google
zealeus@reddit
Just to add to this - there is no reason for a team to need Internet access at an event. Anything they’re doing should be done ahead of time. FTC: The only person who may need access is the Scorekeeper to download field from FIRST. This is a very small 1 time download and we’ve always done it over hotspot with no issue. The entire event runs on a local, private WiFi (no internet) network.
Documentation also used to request a venue shut down all non-event WiFi. The robot devices communicate over WiFi direct, so setting up more WiFi can literally mess with teams.
stufforstuff@reddit
Arent personal plans tied to ONE specific physical address for the dish?
Apprehensive_Bit4767@reddit
It's actually sounds like fun maybe thought about DD wrt. And using a mesh Network
tech2but1@reddit
I think he wanted something that works reliably.
Apprehensive_Bit4767@reddit
Oh yeah that's right cuz all that stuff I'm mentioning is new technology and everything that we works perfectly all the time
KiloDelta9@reddit
Wifi engineer here who did VEX for 5 years once upon a time.
Those venues are almost always schools or stadiums. Places which necessitate careful and professional wifi design.
You do not have the permission, knowledge, or budget to do this without interfering with existing wireless networks that others at the venue are using, so this is a dead project.
notarealaccount223@reddit
I'm not an expert, but I've done some events and setup wireless a few times but never setup wifi for an event. So take this with that disclaimer.
Wifi density (users per AP) is something to consider. The number of APs needed is going to very much depend on the space AND where/how many people will be on the space. Don't forget to consider things like awards ceremonies where everyone is in one space and wants to send pictures to family.
I would probably turn off 5/6Ghz to make things easier.
If it's a school event, you might need a content blocker/filter.
A captive portal page, even if just accepting terms of service is a nice to have.
All the APs should be hardwired, mesh does not sound like you would have a fun time. Be considerate of cable run lengths and mounting locations for APs. Do forget power.
Logging of traffic might be helpful if someone does something stupid/illegal. Timestamp, Source IP, source MAC, destination IP, port & protocol would be my minimum.
OgdruJahad@reddit
Can you elaborate on turning off 5/6GHz. Wouldn't you want clients to use 5ghz (and 6hz on newer devices)
notarealaccount223@reddit
2.4 gives you more distance, better penetration through barriers and is supported by just about everything. Until you get the basics it feels like a distraction to try to optimize for two different spectrums when you don't need the performance it provides.
Though you are right, it may allow you to support more devices in a single AP.
kcornet@reddit
You have it backwards. when building for dense wifi, you want your wifi signal to have less distance and not penetrate through walls. You want to have lots of APs and you don't want them stomping on each other.
If you set your APs 5GHz radios to 20MHz channel width, you have 24 non-overlapping channels that the APs can use. 2.4GHz has only three. This, along with limited signal distance (via obstructions or lowered transmit power) allows APs to have relatively "private" airspace.
Not to mention that the 2.4GHz spectrum is just overcrowded from wifi, bluetooth, and various other sources of interference. when I was a network engineer, we had about 1000 APs and it was common to see 2.4GHz radios at 50% channel interference all the time.
notarealaccount223@reddit
Then I stand corrected.
Vast_Fish_3601@reddit
Is this a US school building? Brick? You are likely gonna need access points in each room basically unless they got glass.