RC Basics Archives - RC Car Action

Get Started in RC – Everything You Need to Know

One of the coolest things about the RC car hobby is its its incredible depth—there’s just so much stuff to choose from. But on the flip side, it can seem like there’s an awful lot to learn before you feel like you can dive in with confidence when its time to part ways with your […]

Racer Profile: TLR’s Frank Root

Sponsors: TLR, Horizon Hobby, JConcepts, Team Orion, Spektrum, Bradley Fine Line Designs, StickIt1 Graphics, LiveRC.com, Pacific Coast Hobbies A lot of us love the speed, exhilaration, and technical side of RC, but we don’t realize what it takes to bring a vehicle like the TLR 22 buggy platform to market. For most of us, RC […]

How To: Glow Plugs Dos, Don’ts, Tech, and Tips [PREMIUM EXCLUSIVE]

Our article about Glow Plugs Dos, Don’ts, Tech, and Tips will be in the July issue, but RC Car Action Premium members get to read it first! CLICK HERE to become a member, or click on an image below. RC Car Action Premium offers members exclusive content and the first look at the latest projects, shoot-outs, how-to’s and more! […]

Pro-Line Explains Powerstroke Shocks [VIDEO]

Pro-Line is always pushing technology and provides racers and passionate hobby enthusiasts with some of the best products around. In this video, they explain the function and parts of their popular Powerstroke shocks and how to tune and adjust them.

Battery Basics You Need to Know [GETTING STARTED]

Batteries! They make everything go in RC, even in nitro-powered models — sure, the engine burns fuel, but you aren’t going anywhere without a battery on board to power the receiver and servos. As with so many aspects of our amazing hobby/sport, you can go super-deep into battery tech if it really interests you — […]

Essential RC Anatomy [GETTING STARTED]

If you’re a regular RC Car Action reader, you know your way around an RC car and what’s-called-what. This one’s for the noobs who don’t know! Our weekly GETTING STARTED column is designed to help beginners get up to speed (literally) for maximum RC fun. To read this installment, just CLICK HERE or on the image below. […]

How To Select Your First Car

One of the best things about RC is the incredible variety of vehicles there is to choose from. But how do you pick the one car or truck for you out of so many great choices? All you have to do is ask yourself … The big three questions When selecting that first car […]

Radio Terms Glossary

Adjustable trim rate. If you’ve ever wished you could set how much servo movement you get with each “click” of trim, this is the function you want. By adjusting the trim rate, you can set the percentage of travel each click of trim represents. Anti-lock brakes (ABS). The ABS function is invaluable when racing on […]

This Associated B4’s transmission has been opened to reveal its internal gears.

Drivetrains & Driveshafts

RC cars use a variety of drivetrain designs to turn motor or engine power into motion, and each has its advantages and disadvantages that make them suited to particular applications. In this section, we’ll discuss various types of drivetrains, explain the lingo and give you all the info you need to know about the gears, […]

How To Understand Differentials

Unless you have a drag car, your RC machine has a differential—maybe even two or three. Even though nearly every car has at least one, and differentials are critical to a car’s handling, they are often misunderstood. What does a diff do? How does it work? Which type is best? We have the answers. […]

How To: The Basics of Radio Control

All RC systems have the same essential components: a transmitter, a receiver and servos. These parts are sold as assembled, plug-in components; you don’t have to solder anything or know about wiring schematics to install or use them. Transmitter This is the radio of “radio control” and is often simply referred to as the radio. […]