Definition: RC vehicles communicate through radio signals. If two or more RC vehicles use the same frequency the signals can get scrambled which can result in erratic behavior of the two vehicles. This scrambling of signals is called crosstalk because the signals get crossed and one transmitter tries to talk to (control) both vehicles.
To prevent crosstalk the operator should insure that there are no other vehicles operating at the same frequency in the immediate area. Hobby-grade RCs can also avoid crosstalk problems by using a fail-safe device or using a 2.4GHz DSM controller.
Because of the potential for crosstalk causing a runaway RC, safe RC operation dictates always turning the transmitter on before turning the vehicle on and turning the vehicle off before turning off the transmitter.
Also Known As: interference | radio interference | scrambled signal
Alternate Spellings: cross-talk
Examples:
Running two 27 MHz or two 49 MHz RC cars near each other will usually result in crosstalk. The radio signals get mixed up. One controller will try to control both vehicles or you'll get erratic behavior in one or both vehicles.