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What Is Radio Control?
The term ‘radio control’ as far as we are concerned applies to remote control of a model using a radio waves. Every radio and receiver set transmits in a specified range of radio frequencies, generally called a "band". Each country has a set of laws that defines what is legal. For instance, 40 band radios are allowed in Europe and Japan, but not the United States. 27 band is the most popular to use because it is usable world-wide, but the fewest number of frequencies are available in 27 band (12 in Europe and Japan, but only 6 in the US).
Radio control (correct English is Radio ‘Controlled’) models come in two basic forms: ‘toy’ style models that are advertised during cartoon shows on television and sold at electronics and toy stores, and the ‘kit’ type models that are sold only at specialised hobby shops, mail-order companies or specialist Web sites (such as Radio Control Model Experts) and are available as a build-it-yourself kit or assembled and ‘Ready To Run’ (RTR) or (in the case of Aircraft) ‘Ready-to-Fly’ (RTF). Toy-style cars are often advertised as "remote control", while hobbyists refer to kit-style cars as "radio control" Probably the most popular Radio Control models are Radio Control (or "R/C" or “RC”) cars. These range from the types of cars you see in toy and electronics stores to the types of cars that companies like HPI, Kyosho, Traxxas and Tamiya offer. RC cars and trucks can be referred to as buggies, trucks, monster trucks, cars, street trucks, stadium buggies, truggies and by many more terms. However, on this site we have divided our cars and trucks into four main categories:
On-Road Cars & Trucks
Off-Road Cars & Trucks
Monster Trucks
Indoor Cars & Trucks (electric only)
Fuel Types
There are three main fuel types in widespread use in the RC model world:
Electric
These models are powered by rechargeable batteries. As such, some of these models can be used indoors.
Nitro
These models use a special type of liquid fuel (Nitro) which allows some these models to achieve very high speeds.
Petrol
Whilst not as popular as Nitro models, petrol powered models can also reach very high speeds.
What are the advantages of RC models as a hobby?
Like any popular hobby, radio control cars have a mass appeal that draws people in, often for good!
Do you enjoy putting parts of a kit together to make a single operating machine or structure? Have you ever wanted to make one of your scale model cars move on its own? Have you ever wanted to race a car, but realised the costs involved were prohibitively expensive? Have you ever wanted to teach your son or daughter more about real cars and how they work? Do you have a competitive spirit but don't have a good way to release it? Do you enjoy working with and learning from others for a common goal? Do you enjoy good sportsmanship in a friendly, open setting? Do you enjoy meeting new people with common interests?
A "yes" in answer to any of the questions (and many others not mentioned) is a perfect reason to try RC and see how it fits into your life and busy schedule.
Building a kit from parts you get in a box is a form of entertainment that most people can understand. The grin of satisfaction and happiness from "building something from nothing" is one that almost can't be explained. Have you ever built a piece of furniture, rebuilt or repaired your car, put together a model kit, written a story or simple computer program, pieced together several items to make a single working piece or assembled anything from instructions? If you have ever done anything similar to these things, you understand the joy that will come from building your first (and second, and third...) radio control kit.
However, if you want to avoid the need the build a kit before you can operate your RC model, you can buy a ‘Ready-to-Run’ RC model which you can use almost straight out of the box!
The first thing most people do when they run their car or truck is race it up and down their street or neighbourhood car park. Running an RC car will always bring out a crowd who is eager to find out what a speedy little car is doing zipping around the place! Meeting new people and telling them about your new hobby is one of the joys of RC. People have always liked miniature things, and anything you can control (like your RC car, RC truck, RC plane, RC helicopter or RC boat) is even more exciting! Explaining everything about your RC model is a great way to meet new people, make friends and impress your neighbours!
Why Do Radio Control Models Cost More Than ‘Remote Control’ Toys?
RC models cost more at first, they are more durable and faster than toy models. You can also repair an RC car or truck, which is usually impossible or very difficult to do with toy RC model. You can also upgrade an RC model to make it faster, stronger, more durable, more adjustable or just make it look nicer. For example, many car kits have optional bodies and wheels that you can replace whenever you want, meaning that you can customise your RC car or truck in any way you desire!
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