POSTED to EE&T ALUMNI 11 APR 2026

Sections: -- EMU Robotics in NYC -- Feedback for UNSW Engg -- Solving for the Unknown -- Story: Flat Car Battery

== EMU ROBOTICS in NYC ==

Thu-Sun, Apr 9-12, 2026

AUS: 10:30 PM - 8:00 AM

Teams: Azerbaijan, Australia, India, New York, Turkey New York City Regional

https://www.firstinspires.org/event-detail?eventId=76251

Event Info & Webcast

https://frc-events.firstinspires.org/2026/NYNY

GoFundMe page

https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7447810479181242368

NYCFirst

https://www.nycfirst.org/

== FEEDBACK for UNSW Engg ==

Dean Julien Epps' LI post

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/julien-epps-068a354a_unswalumni-progressforall-share-7441959108066525184-tP9N/

Alternate link to survey:

https://survey.alchemer.eu/s3/91066255/UNSW-Survey Brief: Survey Questions

1 - Name and email

Your Views on UNSW

2 - Connection to it

3 - Connection to faculty or school 4 - What matters most - choose 3

5 - Perceptions - 6 parts

Communications, service and events 6 - Preference to receive news & info 7 - Response to statements - 4 parts 8 - Interested in ... - 10 parts 9 - Areas of interest - 4 parts 10 - Awareness of Alumni activities - 7 parts 11 - Attendance frequency

12 - Event interest - 10 parts

Volunteer and philanthropy

13 - Likeliness

14 - Mostly interested in - 9 parts 15 - Perceptions - 5 parts

16 - Description of support - 4 parts 17 - Other supported areas - 11 parts Final comments

18 - Achievements or time - 2 textboxes 19 - Comments or advice - 1 textbox 20 - Update personal details

Text: From Dean Epp’s post on LI: UNSW Engineering alumni - we'd love your input.

As part of a new University-wide alumni survey, we're seeking to better understand alumni experiences, impact and how we strengthen connections with our global alumni community.

You should have received a personalised survey link via email, please use this where possible. If not, you can complete the survey via the link below.

Your input will shape how we strengthen connections, support our alumni, and create future opportunities for engagement with the Faculty and UNSW.

Thank you in advance !

https://lnkd.in/grgvKE4M

== SOLVING for the UNKNOWN ==

If you recall the story of King Arthur and his Knights, each one had to complete a journey before joining the round table.

Each had a quest (search) for something important to them. They needed to be aware of the present situation and to decide on a path to find it.

They also faced unexpected challenges but sometimes they came across an unexpected ally or helper on the path.

When the Knight adapted, the outcome magically appeared and their quest was solved.

This approach has helped me out in quite-a-few illogical situations at work with hardware, software and peopleware. The following story is a recent application.

== STORY: FLAT CAR BATTERY ==

Quest - - Adjust partner's car dash clock to normal daylight time for Sunday.

Present - - Evening before DLS change. No carport lights.

Path - - Use manual in the glove box once a year. Find right button menu to decrease hour. Use cabin light to shine on the buttons.

Challenge - - Car wouldn't start after three days of no use when she needed to pop-out on Tuesday evening.

My car was used as an alternative.

Ally / Helper - - The multi-meter to help diagnose points in the electrical system with Thevenin and Black-box system ideas.

Stepping stones: a) The battery voltage was 4.32V. Expected just over 12V.

b) Disconnected leads had 2.1 ohm resistance. Expected open circuit. Possible culprits: ignition switch, starter motor solenoid winding, alternator diodes, wiring to body.

c) Investigated while battery charged.

d) Waited for big spark after reconnecting battery. Interior cabin lit up. Car started first go.

e) Forehead slapped myself. Words & emotions settled after the 40 seconds.

f) Alternator voltage was 14.32V while idling. Expected 14.4V. Much better than 0V.

g) Encouraged partner to start her car.

Outcome - - 15-minute drive to fortify charge. A local battery supplier has a replacement in case we suddenly need one.

// Posted to EEnT Alumni (LI), Elsoc-Alumni (FB) and own space (LI)

// 11 APR 2026

// Ctee: @Kaveh, @Luke, @Edmund, @Shakthi, @Vijay

// Prv Ctee: @GaganSK, @SomanshA, @SimonB, @MatthewR

// Heads: Dean @JulienE; EEnT Prof. @JinhongY

// School: Mgr @ElizabethGT; Projects @KlaraJ

Post - EEAlm 260411.docx

Robert Smith

== 7-day View Alumni Response ==

18 APR so far

Not including the 'untouchable' profiles.

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