Controller

Definition: Radio controlled vehicles communicate through radio signals. A controller is a (usually) hand-held device that sends radio signals to the radio receiver in the RC vehicle to tell it what to do. The controller is also called a transmitter because it transmits signals that control the movement and speed of the vehicle.

Controller Styles
There are two main styles of controllers for radio controlled vehicles. The pistol-grip style looks like a gun with a trigger and a knob. The stick-controller is box-like with two joysticks, knobs, or buttons, and additional switches.

The controller is also described based on the number of actions or channels it controls.

Wired Controllers
Remote controlled vehicles may have wired controllers. A wire or tether connects to the vehicle (or to the track in the case of slot cars) and transmits signals to control the vehicle.

Crystals on Controllers
On hobby-grade controllers there is a slot for inserting one of a matching pair of crystals. The other crystal is inserted in the receiver inside the vehicle. The crystals set the radio frequency at which the controller and vehicle communicate. In the controller for a toy-grade RC, the crystal is usually soldered directly to the circuit board inside the controller.

Also Known As: transmitter | Tx