[Yaaarc] Hack the Vex controller

[Keith Mc. (Route-To YAR)]

"George Albercook" <Albercook at yahoo.com> wrote:
> The programming kit for the Vex is something like $100. Has anyone seen a
> hack to make your own programmer and cable?

AFAIK, Not yet <darn>... 

FYI, here's the programming kit, and the download site, which contains
the default code and the Loader code:
http://www.vexlabs.com/vex-robotics-programming-kit.shtml
http://www.vexlabs.com/vex-robotics-downloads.shtml

The programming package bundle also includes MAPLAB, Microchip C18, 
Intellitek's Easy-C, and the IFI/Vexlab loader.  If you skip Easy-C
(and use a C compiler that generates similar output), the rest of
the code is available at the above site.

But the problem with cloning it is that the dongle is basically just
a pre-programmed PIC (PIC12 series if I remember), and both the firmware 
AND the protocol between the dongle and the Vex MPU are unpublished 
by IFI/Vexlabs.  (I haven't checked, but I assume the dongle PIC's
readback fuse is blown. Might be worth investigating, though! :-)

FYI, FIRST teams already have MAPLAB/C18, and the VEX MPU is identical
to its big brother that we all use (the IFI RC), so we are ALSO 
interested in obtaining just the dongle.  But so far we've all had to 
buy the full Programming Kits to use Vex as an RC emulator. So if you 
DO find a way to obtain JUST the dongle (or create a compatible one), 
please let me know!

OOC, do you HAVE a programming kit now?  FYI, I have one you can 
look at, at if you wish.  (Call me.)

-Keith Mc.