Building, driving and modifying radio-controlled car kits or other toys is a popular hobby among radio controlled enthusiasts. The radio controlled devices are a popular hobby, and are a key component in a sport that involves displaying the skill of the user in controlling the device efficiently.
Radio Controlled devices, or
remote controlled devices as they are also called, are devices that are worked
remotely from a distance. The first demonstration of the remote controlling
activity was perhaps by Jadish Chandra Bose when he ignited gun powder and
struck a gong from a distance using electromagnetic radiation.
Tesla was the first to
demonstrate a remotely controlled ship calling teleautomata, using transmitter
and receiver showing how ships and mechanical gadgets can be controlled on a
wireless principle in 1898. He also constructed a wireless tower which remained
unfinished due to economic constraints. This showed the farsightedness of
Tesla. He laid the foundations for the radio controlled devices that we have
today. American inventor Armstrong remarked about Tesla: "The world will
long have to wait for a mind equal to Tesla's, a mind of such creative
possibilities and such wealth of imagination."
The remote controlled devices are
commonly called RC devices - RC stands for Radio Controlled. In 1937 the first
radio controlled airplane was flown by Dr. William Good and his twin brother
Walter. Dr. William was a specialist in radios and Walter made aero models, and
they combined them to create the RC plane. Radio control had also been employed
in WWII. In the 1960s, the availability of transistors revolutionized the
circuits and made them more compact and light.
Principle of the modern RC toys:
In the mid to late 60's, a British company named Mardave, based in Leicester,
began to produce the first commercially viable RC Cars. Their first cars were
Nitro or gas powered cars sold in the local area in the early 70's. All such
devices require a transmitter with controls, a throttle trigger and the wheels
for turning. The receiver is placed in the body of the toy.
The models can be electric models
as well as fuel models. The electric models work with electrical speed control,
and the fuel control systems utilize the radio control mechanisms to regulate
the fuel input and the.
The radio controlled models can
be toy grade or hobby grade. The toy grade devices are available in retail
shops, and are available at a far lesser price. They are ready made assembled
models, and usually utilize electric power. Hobby grade models are available at
a greater cost but are more durable and serviceable. They usually require
assembly, and most often run on gasoline or nitro.
These radio controlled cars are
also used in races, and the cars or toys used in the races should confirm to
the specifications. The RC devices can be varied, and include cars, boats,
airplanes, helicopters and robotics. The small robots, cars and toys are
usually for indoor play. Robotics combined with remote control technology is
frequently seen in the international robotics contests held annually in Japan
and other countries. Robotics are another hobby, which are even more
interesting when combined with radio controlled or remote controlled toys.
The uses for radio control are
limitless, and cars only scratch the surface. In reality, there are hundreds of
different ways that you can enjoy radio controlled hobbies.
Article by: Clem C. Benton, Jr.
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