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Getting Started In R/C Page #1
Introduction
Are you interested in getting involved in remote control model car or truck hobby activities? That's Great! I would like to help you get started. When fellow racers and I are out on the track with our models, spectators often say how much fun it looks like and ask a lot of questions about getting involved. Obviously, to get involved, one must have an R/C model and needed accessories. The aspects of this is what I will attempt to cover in this section of my web site.
Before deciding to get into the R/C hobby, one should look into it a bit. Joining the R/C hobby will require an investment of both your time and money. It is a great deal of fun, yet a certain amount of work. I rather enjoy the mechanical, technical and maintenance (Work) aspects of the hobby, but some of you may not. Some may feel that the building, installation of electronics and adjustments may be more that they can handle. There is a lot of us old R/C Vets around, with the needed skills and abilities, that will be glad to help you with getting set up, so don't worry. You will develop the skills to do all of your own set-ups with time.
Many people don't seem to realize just how much is involved in building and maintaining a remote control model car or truck. I have also seen too many shocked faces when I am asked how much getting started with quality equipment costs. Mainly, I believe that there is an initial assumption that one can just buy a kit and everything necessary to build an R/C model fully equipped to go zinging around the race track will be included. This is because they are mistaking quality R/C equipment for the cheap pre-built products they see available in discount stores and such that are ready-to-run. Those are just toys that are mostly not repairable, at least not by the customer. Most wouldn't last an afternoon on my race track. A decent R/C car or truck is a durable-repairable model. If a crash causes them to break, you buy parts and fix then just like real cars. You get what you pay for folks!
To give you a clearer picture of what I am trying to explain above, I am going to build a Traxxas Rustler Truck Kit later in this section of my site with you. The Traxxas Rustler is a good entry-level kit that is fairly track-worthy and upgradeable. It cannot be made into a Pro-Level rig, but is a good, lower-cost, way to start out in the hobby. There is some upgrade accessory parts that are not included in the kit that I am going to build into it right away to add more performance and reliability. These accessory parts will be pointed out with explanations for their use in the steps where I use them. I will do sample invoices for this project as if I am setting up a customer new to the R/C hobby. The sales invoices will show all products, parts, equipment and accessories needed to get started. Realize that the customer has not been charged any labor and is expected to build the truck himself. For me to build the kit would add additional labor costs.