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Receiver

From Michael James' Radio Controlled Vehicles Glossary, for About.com

Here is a diagram of what a receiver looks like

Here is a diagram of what a receiver looks like

Illustration by M. James
Definition: RC vehicles communicate through radio signals. A receiver is a small unit inside the RC vehicle that receives the signal from the transmitter. It translates the radio signals which tell the RC vehicle what to do such as what direction and speed to move. The transmitter and the receiver must operate on the same frequency.

The receiver typically has a slot for a radio crystal, a receiver antenna, and spots for plugging in connections from the electronic speed controller, steering servo, and battery.

Toy-grade RCs don't have a receiver unit like hobby-grade RCs. Instead, they have a circuit board (sometimes more than one) which receives signals from the transmitter, acts as a speed controller, and sends signals to the motor and the servo and other features (such as lights or sound). Rather than plugs, most connections are soldered in place.

Also Known As: Rx
Common Misspellings: reciever
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