RC Car Remote Basics

If you are considering taking up the hobby of operating radio controlled vehicles, familiarize yourself with RC car remote basics. This knowledge enhances your enjoyment of this fun and interesting hobby.

Grades of radio controlled vehicles

Radio controlled (RC) vehicles are generally categorized into two broad classes or grades. The first class, toy-grade RC vehicles, is generally sold at mass market retailers such as Target and Walmart. Suitable for children and beginners, toy-grade RC vehicles usually are sold in a pre-assembled state and are basic, without extra features or with only a few extra features. Most toy-grade RC vehicles operate on battery power. The second class of RC vehicle, the hobby-grade, is usually sold at hobby stores as opposed to mass retailers. Hobby-grade RC vehicles are sometimes sold with little or no assembly required, but are often sold with total assembly required. Generally powered by nitro or electricity, hobby-grade RC vehicles have many features and are frequently upgradeable as well as customizable. Hobby-grade vehicles are often used in professional RC and other racing competitions.

Kinds of RC vehicles

RC vehicles include cars, trucks, airplanes, boats, blimps, motorcycles, bulldozers, tanks and many other land, water and aircraft types. RC vehicles even include walking models such as animals and robots.

Control of RC vehicles

Despite the name, not all radio controlled vehicles are actually controlled by radio signals. Some are operated by wires or optical remote control options that actually use infrared. The operation of RC vehicles requires an antenna on the controller or transmitter that sends messages to the vehicle and an antenna on the receiver in the vehicle that receives those messages.

By understanding RC car remote basics, select the RC vehicle that is best for you, taking into consideration cost and your experience.