Getting Into Radio Control

Fancy yourself as a model flyer or as a model race car demon? Radio control hobbies are amongst the most addictive probably because of the adrenalin rush you get! The sheer buzz of landing that warbird safely or taking that corner at speed in your drift car is one you cannot help but want more of.

Radio control hobbies are varied from beautiful yachts gracefully sailed on lakes to gliders silently riding the air currents and on to screaming drift cars and even huge model jet airliners. The common trait being they are all controlled remotely from a handheld radio transmitter.

Radio control models have been around since the 1950's and getting better all the time with advances in circuit technology and battery technology allowing more and more dependability and control. As transistor technology has miniaturized and chips have become cheaper more has been achievable at lower power requirements. Modern RC models use 2.4 gigahertz transmission systems making them less susceptible to interference from other radio sources.

Before you leap into a purchase however there are a few things to think about and clearly these vary with the particular flavor of RC you are smitten with.

The idea of getting airborne fast is an attractive one but without the right preparation and training it could well prove to be a short and expensive flight. It really is best to learn to fly with someone else, better still with an instructor who can start you off with a simulator before moving on to a buddy box system which is really a dual control system, one for you the student and one for the instructor to get you out of trouble.

Likewise with a radio controlled car - where are you going to use it without risking an expensive crash? There is absolutely no point in purchasing a screamer of a drift car without a deserted car park or basketball court to use it on. A monster truck on the other hand would be boring to use on such a surface, you need some rough ground for that baby.

Then you need to think whether electric or gas powered models are going to be right for you. They both have their pros and cons. Bear in mind gas powered models tend to be powerful and noisy but do require constant tuning. This is not as onerous as it sounds, just something to get used to. Electric models are quiet and lighter but batteries can be expensive, even allowing for the re-use you get with rechargeables.

The ability to get spares for your model should also be a factor in your decision making, no matter how careful you are you will have accidents and you will need spares!

Talk to other hobbyists before you make your choice and talk to your local hobby shop. The guys there are always looking to talk about their hobby because they're fanatics themselves and they want to promote their hobby by bringing new recruits into the fold, the marvelous world of radio control.