This week’s Radio Control Show takes you behind the scenes with Kyosho’s legendary designer Yuichi Kanai to discuss the secrets behind some of Kyosho’s most famous 1/8 buggies. Erich Reichert also shows you a quick way to keep your small tools handy at the park or trackside and we give you the skinny how to enter our Traxxas X0-1 giveaway leading up to RCX 2013!

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Earlier this month at the MotoGP Grand Prix of Spain, Repsol Honda veteran Dani Pedrosa rode off into the sunset for the win while the battle for second got ugly. A last lap duel between the reigning world champion Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha Factory Racing) and Pedrosa’s rookie teammate Marc Marquez ended with the rising star overcooking the final corner and going shoulder to shoulder (and fairing to fairing) with the champ. The collision sent Lorenzo off the track, leaving him to finish third behind the teammates in what could be considered a questionable move at best.

This kind of thing happens in RC all the time; I’d bet that a strong percentage of club races across the country each week are decided by some sort of contact, and I can think of two IFMAR World Championships off the top of my head (Cavalieri’s Electric Off-Road 4WD victory over teammate Brian Kinwald in 2003, and Naoto Matsukura’s second 1/12-scale on-road title in 2009) that were decided in similar fashion. But how much contact is too much?

Clearly in the case of the video, in which actual humans are guiding 200+ mph road rockets with just Kevlar-enforced leathers protecting their skin from road rash, the potential danger of an aggressive pass is high. In radio control, however, you can blast someone clear off the track without harming anyone – and often without damaging either car. I’ve always felt that contact during a pass is acceptable as long as neither car is hit hard enough to change direction or spin out, a definition that obviously leaves room for interpretation. According to that rule Marquez’s dive bomb was clearly overzealous, but a similar pass attempt in motocross (or even NASCAR) is the norm.

What do you consider to be too rough? Where do you draw the line?

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Ever wondered what it’d be like to get behind the wheel of a drift car, pitch it sideways, and look forward out of the side window? YouTube user “iitreatedii” stuck his GoPro Hero3 onto an RC drifter at this year’s Carlisle Performance and Style in Carlisle, PA – pop a Dramamine, click play, and practice counter-steering!

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Because you’re probably doing it wrong.

Whether your radio is a pro pistol or an econo model, the steering system is its most adjusted feature. Basic radios only offer steering trim and servo-reversing, but many RTR radios also include dual-rate steering, and popular sport-level computer radios offer adjustable endpoints, exponential and subtrims in addition to steering dual-rate, all of which are often misunderstood by many users regardless of skill level. In this quick how-to we’ll decode steering terminology and get your radio system dialed in for dynamite direction control.

UNDERSTANDING SERVO TRAVEL

We’ll talk a lot about servo travel, which is typically 60 degrees from center in each direction, for a total of 120 degrees (60 degrees to the right, and 60 degrees to the left). And as you already know, servo travel corresponds to wheel travel. For illustration purposes, we show only 16 steps in the travel range; in reality, there are many more steps, which is why the steering servo appears to swing smoothly. In the illustration above and those that follow, note that there are always 16 steps; only the amount of movement represented by each step changes.

SUBTRIM

Subtrim will affect all your other settings, so set it first. If your steering servo is centered when you power up your radio system, consider subtrim to be set but chances are it will be a little off, and you’ll need to center it. By using the subtrim, you’ll move the left and right steering endpoints along with the center position, so you won’t lose any servo travel. A note for those of you with basic AM systems: your trim knob acts like a sub-trim and moves the entire servo travel range as shown here.

ENDPOINTS

Here, the right endpoint has been set for less travel than the left. Note that each unit of servo travel is compressed on the right side.

Properly set endpoints will prevent binding at maximum throw. This buggy’s steering arm is at the limit of its travel, so any additional servo throw would only strain the servo and steering parts.

As the name implies, this setting controls where the servo’s travel ends. The left and right throws can be set independently, generally to prevent servo binding if the steering system runs out of travel before the servo does. Dial out as much travel as you need to prevent the servo from binding, but take note of the left and right settings: they should only be a few digits apart. Note the illustration, which shows full left travel and a reduced setting for right travel. When steering right, the servo moves a smaller amount for each unit of wheel travel. This is something we can exploit for greater steering precision, as you’ll see when we get to Steering Rate.

TRIM

In this illustration, left subtrim is being added, so the entire travel range moves to the left.

With the steering subtrim set, your car should track perfectly straight, but it probably won’t because the positions of the various steering parts changes slightly under load. A click or two of trim should be all you need. If you need more, go back to sub-trim. Avoid making large trim changes because your adjustment will add steering in one direction and take it away in the other. For example, if you add 2 degrees of right trim, you will lose 2 degrees of total right throw but gain 2 degrees of left throw.

WHAT COMES FIRST?

Some steering adjustments can override others, so the biggest adjustments should be made first. You should set the steering functions in this order:

1. Subtrim
2. Trim
3. Endpoints
4. Steering rate (dual rate)
5. Exponential

Once you’ve set your subtrim and endpoints, the only things that need changing to suit track conditions are steering rate and exponential. Subtrim and trim aren’t really tuning aids unless your car starts to track improperly. If the tracking error is slight, and due to parts seating themselves or wearing in, use the trimming functions to clear it up. But if your car suddenly starts to pull to one side, you probably have a mechanical issue or a bad servo. Your radio is not the fix.

STEERING RATE

Also known as dual rate, even though there’s nothing “dual” about it. Changing the steering rate alters the amount of steering throw in both directions at the same time. So how is that different from endpoints? Well, for starters, endpoints are set independently. Also, steering rate can’t override the endpoint settings; once you reach the endpoint, you can’t dial in any more travel. But the change in servo throw you see with a change in steering rate is just part of the picture. Steering rate literally changes the rate of steering, that is, the amount the steering servo’s output shaft moves relative to the amount the transmitter’s wheel is turned. Note that the units of servo movement are finer in the illustration above than they are at the transmitter’s wheel; this gives you finer control of the steering system, and that’s why you should always set the steering rate so you only have as much servo travel as you need for the track’s tightest sections. Ideally, you should use all of the transmitter’s wheel travel for maximum steering, otherwise you’ll have to make smaller movements to steer your car or truck.

EXPONENTIAL

Always set up your linkages so the levers and rods are 90 degrees to each other at neutral. If they’re off, you may create a mechanical exponential effect.

Here’s an illustration of a negative exponential setting. Note that the units of travel are compressed near neutral and then expand as the endpoints are neared.

When you select an exponential setting, the steering rate changes exponentially with wheel travel. Here’s the simple version: steering rate increases progressively as you steer farther from neutral. That’s if you’ve selected a negative exponential value; if you select a positive value, you’ll have a higher steering rate near neutral and less rate as you get closer to the endpoints. Negative settings are the most common and are usually used to make a car less sensitive around neutral, for more predictable handling on loose tracks without limiting total steering throw.

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The recent trend with battery chargers are to use a touch screen to replace your traditional buttons, knobs, etc. Today Hitec unveils their 1st charger using touch screen technology called the X1 Touch. When traveling no external power supply is needed since you can plug it into the wall and use its internal AC power supply does the rest. It supports 6 different types of common battery packs and has an adjustable charge current rate. Here is the official press release:

Hitec’s charger line continues to expand and impress with the addition of the X1 Touch. Designed with absolute ease and portability in mind, this 55-watt sensation uses an 11 ~ 18VDC power source or an internal AC power supply to provide the versatility all pilots and racers desire. The 3.2-inch high resolution touch screen allows for effortless data monitoring and retrieval. With a built-in internal cell balancer and multiple safety functions, its reliability is rock solid.

Charge, discharge and balance your multi-chemistry batteries with just a touch – an X1 Touch!

Features:

• Charges NiMH, NiCd, LiPo, LiFe, Li-Ion and Lead Acid Batteries
• Built-in Power Supply
• Adjustable Charge Current Rate of 0.1 – 7.0 Amps
• Internal Balancing Circuit
• 3.2-Inch High Resolution Touch Screen

Gallery > Hitec X1 Touch AC/DC Touch Screen Charger

For more posts about Hitec products, click here.

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Since winning the first of 26 IFMAR World Championships in 1977, Team Associated has been an icon of RC racing, in 2012, Team Associated announced a new direction – the Qualifier Series of sport – level RTRS aimed at capturing the attention of a potential hobbyist look for his first RC car or truck.  Unlike the brand’s Race Spec lineup, which is based on their racer – oriented kits that compete on racetracks around the world, the new range – including the newest release, the Rival – are built with a focus on frugal fun.  Team Associated first-ever electric-powered monster truck takes advantage readily available brushless horsepower and a proven monster-truck platform to create a stunning departure from anything the company has done before, and I was one of the first outside of Team Associated’s employees to drive it.

The Rival is spec’d with the XP3G transmitter, a 3-channel version of the 2.4GHz FHSS radio also used in the Pro-Lite 4×4 and Apex Touring [Reviewed in issue]

To read the full article on the Team Associated’s Rival Qualifier Series Monster Truck, click below:

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I have found that empty energy shot bottles make great shock protectors for off-road vehicles.  I cut the bottles in half lengthwise and drill a small hole through the neck of the bottle.  Then I use the lower shock mounting screw to attach it to the control arm.  This keeps my shocks cleaner and also protects the shock shafts from getting damaged.

Summited by Ryan Kessler, Galveston, IN

Do YOU have a Pit Tip for us? Share it now! You can tweet it to @rcccaraction, post it on our Facebook page, or just email it to pittips@airage.com. If we feature your Pit Tip as our Tip of the Week, we’ll send you an RC Car Action decal pack!

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Tekno’s unique 1/8 4WD electric buggy has grown in popularity since it was 1st released, and until today your only body option was the one that came with the kit. JConcepts now gives racers another option with their new Finnisher body for the EB48. Not only is this body a direct fit for the EB48, but it also includes some unique features that will help cool your electronics and provide more steering clearance. Read more about it in the press release below:

With the evolution of race tracks, complicated circuits combining more aggressive jumps and extremely high-speed corners, JConcepts has incorporated many new features for the Finnisher Tekno EB48, which provide several benefits in the most critical situations. Increased windshield angle provides a steady force upfront during in-flight wind gusts on large jumps. Forward cab placement changes performance / visible bias which helps steering rotation in low traction corners.

JConcepts hit the ground in Vaasa, Finland with an all new body design specifically for the IFMAR World Championships. Cleverly named, Finnisher, the unique design quickly rose to the top of the field during competition and proved effective on the ground and in the air. Designed with aspects learned from the Punisher line of bodies, the Finnisher provides an even more aggressive look with included details which remain crucial to performance. The Finnisher body for the Tekno is a drop fit for the newly released EB48 buggy.

The side-pods have been simplified and JC chamfered to remove unwanted changes in height to neutralize the at-speed handling. Additional clearance has been added for the steering linkage from servo to bell-cranks to give an extra bit of clearance to the body. The chassis to body fit has been tightened up which eliminates empty voids that contribute to mid-flight directional changes. The rear of the cab has a new step feature which places dual louvers toward the rear that can be trimmed to allow air to escape at the top of the body. The rear portion of the side-pod area has been lowered to create another louver which can be trimmed as another avenue to allow heat to escape. The motor-side of the pods have a direct inlet which can be trimmed and used as another air-flow feature of the body.

Features:

• Race proven JConcepts Finnisher design
• Blended wing / body design
• Unique, stepped, forward cab design
• Side-pod louvers for more air-flow potential
• Additional steering clearance
• Motor-side scoop for direct inlet
• Clear polycarbonate with protective film
• Window masks and decal sheet

Finnisher – Tekno EB48 body
Part # – 0262
Retail price – $31.00
(fits Tekno EB48)

Gallery > JConcepts Finnisher Body For The Tekno EB48

For more posts about JConcepts products, click here.

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Axial has released a new optional polycarbonate hardtop to give your 2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon body a fresh look. This roof comes clear so you can add your paint scheme to it and also included are the needed mounting hardware, window masks, and decals.

Next up is Axial’s new heavy duty transmission gears for the SCX10, AX10 and Wraith. These gears are comprised of hardened steel to increase its durability and should be a good upgrade for folks running powerful brushless systems.

Our friends across the pond at Contact RC now offer another tire compound for 1/12th Circuit car owners. This new J compound promises to perform well on high traction conditions where the track is grooved in, and the tire will react with less aggression than their previous compounds which is good for lower traction conditions.

Finally, Serpent has announced some new shock tuning options for their Serpent 747 nitro car. When you use these new shorter shocks in conjunction with their new shock towers you can lay the shocks down more and you can even use the same springs which is a nice touch.

Click the links to see and read more in the Hot News & New Stuff forum.

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Summer officially starts June 21 and with spring showing us hints of the warm weather just around the corner, it’s time to get your racing gear ready for the outdoor season. The racing scene here in SoCal kicked off to an early spring start with the JBRL Race Series (www.jimmybabcock.com) recently making a stop at SDRC Raceway (sdrcraceway.com) in San Diego, CA. The JBRL crew always does an excellent job of running their race program and they’re just getting started with scheduled stops (the rest of this years schedule is in the first image) all over the SoCal area. So the question remains; where will you be racing this summer? You may think that every person that does RC knows about your local tracks, but I still run into people while doing RCCA photo shoots that haven’t heard of any of the places to race around here. Here’s your chance to plug your local track and share their race schedule and/or special race series. Comment below or join the thread on the RCCA Facebook Page. The images below are from the JBRL stop at SDRC Raceway. The next JBRL stop is this Saturday at Pegasus Hobbies in Montclair, CA. It’s not too late to sign up and participate!

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