How to Make a Radio-Controlled Device

Learn how RC devices operate. They work through radio signals. A transmitter with an antenna produces radio waves and generates a radio frequency alternating current. When the current reaches the antenna it emits radio waves. The transmitter's signal is carried to both the antenna and an internal circuit board. The circuit board communicates with the motors, which are usually different motors for different functions (wheels, steering). When you press the remote's trigger it causes electrical contacts to connect and the transmitter to emit a series of electrical sync pulses that feed directional information into the antenna on the device. RCs are powered by a battery pack or regular batteries for the controls and transmitter. If you are going to build your RC device from scratch, you will need to use this knowledge to draw a sketch to guide your assembly. The sketch should be drawn in 1/10th scale and from multiple angles.

Purchase your kit or the supplies needed according to your sketch. Kits are common for cars and airplanes, but character RC device kits are few. A helpful hobby store employee can tell you the general availability of kits and help you gather the needed materials. You will need a chassis or body for the device; one or several electrical motors equipped with two-way communication abilities; remote-control casing with a trigger; shocks; radio transmitter and receiver; antennas for the remote and the device; a servomechanism; wires; front and back axles for steering; steel head; resistors and electrodes. Cars will need wheels, airplanes will need propellers and characters need a chassis that can resemble a robot or person. These parts should all be included in kits, but double check to verify.

Find a dry, neutral temperature area to work. Spread out a towel on which to rest your tools.

Cut the chassis metal with shears into the shape you need according to the sketch or kit diagrams.

Place the motor and servomechanism inside the front of the chassis. Insert the front and back axles. Wheels also go on the side of the chassis next to the front axle.

Locate the motor's two attached wires. Connect the lead wire to the front axle's gear assembly on the right side, then the secondary wire from the motor to the other axle's knob on the bottom right.

Place the resistors and electrode inside the remote base. Attach the wire to the trigger on one end and the resistors on the other. Make a hole in the center and slide a steel rod through, capping the rod with steel knobs on both ends. Snap the remote together.

Screw the antenna onto the top of the device and the remote and give your RC device a spin.