Getting into the Radio Control Hobby?

So you think you would like to try some radio control action? The radio control hobby is an exciting one, a real rush of adrenaline! The excitement at successfully landing that plane or of taking a corner at high speed in a drift car is an excitement you cannot help but want more of.

The radio control hobbyists world ranges from the beauty and grace of a yacht to the down and dirty action of an off-road monster truck to quite large aircraft. The common trait being they are all controlled remotely from a handheld radio transmitter.

RC models have been around since the fifties and with improving technology allowing more dependability and control. With the miniaturisation of electronics it’s been possible to do more with less power. 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 obviously these depend on the particular form of RC you are smitten with.

Getting into the skies fast sounds good but without preparing and practicing properly its likely to be a short 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 various advantages. Remember that gas models tend to be more powerful and noisier but need tuning. It’s not really a big deal but a little chore to be aware of. 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 think you are, you are going to have accidents and you will need spares!

Talk to other hobbyists before you make your choice and try to visit your local hobby shop. The guys there are always looking to talk about their hobby because they’re keen hobbyists themselves and they want to promote their hobby by bringing newcomers into their hobby, the exciting world of radio control.

Aussies might like to check out the rc cars or rc airplanes at Hobby Heroes in Sydney, run by a self confessed RC freak who likes nothing better than to assist newcomers to the RC world!