Radio-controlled models, or “RC models”, for short, are becoming more popular than ever as hobbyists are buying them up to fly the skies, race them across the ground, or even zip across bodies of water. If you’re not familiar with these, then this article will tell you how to get started in radio-controlled models.
These models are controlled by radio transmitters and receivers. The operator uses a handheld, tuned transmitter to send radio frequencies to the receiver that is placed inside the model. The receiver “reads” the signals and then tells the radio-controlled model what to do. This remote control system allows the operator to be as close as he wants to the model, or many yards away. That’s part of the fun of running RC models. If you watch this type of model, it looks like it has a “mind of its own” since the operator is usually a pretty good distance away.
There are a variety of radio-controlled models you can buy. They are readily available at your local hobby store, at many department stores, and on several online retail websites to find the right radio-controlled model for you.
There are On-and-Off-Road cars, trucks, Jeeps, boats, airplanes, and helicopters. “On-Road” cars, are, of course, meant to be run on smoother, bump-free areas of land like pavement. “Off-Road” radio-controlled cars, on the other hand, are built with suspensions that can handle the ruggedness of most any terrain.
If you visit a store and browse through their selection of radio-controlled models, you’ll find they are powered by one of two ways. Either they are “electric” or “gas powered.” The “electric” models are equipped with small electric motors and rechargeable batteries. The “gas powered” models are equipped with small, internal combustion engines. The fuel they use is actually a mixture of nitromethane, methanol, and oil. The use of “nitromethane” in the mixture gives these radio-controlled models their nickname of being “Nitros”.
The electric models are cheaper to buy and easier for beginners to learn with. Since there’s no combustion occurring when they are operated, electric radio-controlled models also burn cleaner. You can easily find an electric-powered, radio-controlled model that’s “ready to go” for as little as fifty bucks. The prices go up from there to several hundred dollars. “Ready to go” means the model is preassembled, often painted, and decaled. All you have to do to operate this type of radio-controlled model is to basically charge up the battery or add the needed fuel. Or, you may choose to buy a radio-controlled model in a kit. These kits contain all the parts you need to build an On-and-Off-Road car, truck, Jeep, boat, airplane, or helicopter. In some cases, you have to buy a rechargeable battery, or some other accessory, separately.
Your first RC model, if you want to get started with anything other than a car or truck, should ideally be a “trainer.” Training models of airplanes and helicopters, for example, often include a video of how to fly the model. Plus, a trainer is typically made of a durable foam or plastic material that’s “crash resistant.” Therefore, as you’re learning to fly your model, and crashing it, as most beginners do, you’ll save money on buying replacements parts that get damaged.
You’ll naturally learn about your radio-controlled model as times goes on. But it’s always helpful to find someone who is experienced in this hobby. He or she can teach you short cuts, tips, and “how to’s” that can help you learn this new hobby faster. You can also check the Internet for lists of clubs you can join too.
Once you become experienced with your new hobby, you may want to check around and find racing tracks and organizations around your area that you can get involved with too. And don’t worry if you’re still a novice! There are races for different levels of skill so that everyone can get involved in the fun!
