# Quick Start Guide

{% hint style="danger" %}
**NOTE:** All teams should update the firmware on their radios to version 1.2.9 or later before doing anything else. You can find instructions on [updating your firmware here](https://frc-radio.vivid-hosting.net/overview/upgrading-firmware). 
{% endhint %}

## Quick Start Guide (Robot Radio)

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

### Remove Radio From The Box

Remove the radio from the box. 
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Connect The Laptop To The Radio

Run an ethernet cable between the laptop and the DS port on the VH-109.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Power The Radio

There are three ways to do this: 

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="PoE Wall Adapter" %}
You can use a VH-117 PoE Wall Adapter (or an equivalent) to run power into the RIO port on the VH-109. 

<figure><img src="https://4239402461-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FzaDthb1gXvbj84qIfOUE%2Fuploads%2FpfzwOu3YOIfvgQoAMghh%2F1.png?alt=media&#x26;token=def92ce1-1f82-4d4a-839d-32958f9643a1" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="12V From Robot" %}
You can power the radio by connecting 12V from your robot's power distribution system to the 12VDC input (Weidmuller connector) on the VH-109.

<figure><img src="https://4239402461-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FzaDthb1gXvbj84qIfOUE%2Fuploads%2FaqhHefpkWz2W6x2KObig%2F2.png?alt=media&#x26;token=a7d9c5af-c65c-4180-9086-694af31aa070" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="12V/2A Power Supply" %}
You can connect a 12V/2A power supply to the 12VDC input (Weidmuller connector) on the VH-109.

<figure><img src="https://4239402461-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FzaDthb1gXvbj84qIfOUE%2Fuploads%2FzLzRqjzbrhvF2kby0whc%2F3.png?alt=media&#x26;token=bb4ed478-01da-4e33-943b-71d6eeb211f1" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Run Network Assistant Tool On Laptop

[Download and run the Network Assistant Tool](https://frc-radio.vivid-hosting.net/overview/programming-your-radio-at-home/network-assistant-tool) on the laptop.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Update Firmware

If the firmware is not the [latest version](https://frc-radio.vivid-hosting.net/overview/firmware-releases), you should [update your firmware](#upgrading-firmware).
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Configure Radio

Once you're running the latest firmware version, it's time to [configure your radio](https://frc-radio.vivid-hosting.net/programming-your-radio-at-home#programming-your-radio).&#x20;
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Mount Radio On Robot

Once your radio is configure, it's time to [mount the radio on your robot](https://frc-radio.vivid-hosting.net/overview/mounting-your-radio).&#x20;
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Wire Radio Into Robot

The last step is to [wire the radio into your robot](#wiring-your-radio).&#x20;
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

## Quick Links

### CAD Files & Drawings

A STEP file and drawing can be found here:&#x20;

{% content-ref url="../tech-specs/cad-files-and-drawings" %}
[cad-files-and-drawings](https://frc-radio.vivid-hosting.net/tech-specs/cad-files-and-drawings)
{% endcontent-ref %}

### Mounting Your Radio

Since the VH-109 radio uses 6 GHz, the location of the radio on your robot is extremely important. We suggest all teams review our section on mounting your radio.

{% content-ref url="mounting-your-radio" %}
[mounting-your-radio](https://frc-radio.vivid-hosting.net/overview/mounting-your-radio)
{% endcontent-ref %}

### Wiring Your Radio

The VH-109 has many robust options for wiring it into your robot. You can see a list of the recommended methods here:&#x20;

{% content-ref url="wiring-your-radio" %}
[wiring-your-radio](https://frc-radio.vivid-hosting.net/overview/wiring-your-radio)
{% endcontent-ref %}

### Upgrading Firmware

Vivid-Hosting regularly releases firmware updates that improve the performance and reliability of the VH-109 radio. It's important that your team keeps your radio up to date to ensure peak performance.

{% content-ref url="upgrading-firmware" %}
[upgrading-firmware](https://frc-radio.vivid-hosting.net/overview/upgrading-firmware)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="firmware-releases" %}
[firmware-releases](https://frc-radio.vivid-hosting.net/overview/firmware-releases)
{% endcontent-ref %}

### Programming Your Radio

How you program your radio has changed. We suggest that all teams read this page to better understand how this process works now:

{% content-ref url="programming-your-radio-at-home" %}
[programming-your-radio-at-home](https://frc-radio.vivid-hosting.net/overview/programming-your-radio-at-home)
{% endcontent-ref %}

### Practicing At Home

Since the VH-109 radio is a 6 Ghz device, the setup you will need to drive at home will need to change. Learn more about the different ways you can use the VH-109 at home on this page:&#x20;

{% content-ref url="practicing-at-home" %}
[practicing-at-home](https://frc-radio.vivid-hosting.net/overview/practicing-at-home)
{% endcontent-ref %}