Electronics and RC

matthew_77 · 08-27-2006, 01:11 PM

This is an off the wall question, but I am hoping someone can help. I getting intrested in learning how to build my own RC cars and other RC stuff. After I learn that, I want to learn how I can hook them up to a computer and control with it programs. I learned about this when I saw a BASIC STAMP kit at Radio Shack, made by Parallax.

http://www.parallax.com/

I want to know if anyone knows of a good book I can buy at BN, Amazon, or another book store that teaches me the basics of making RC electronics. I don't want to spend $79.00 at Parallax if it isn't good. Also, a good website for buying the materials. Later, I will learn about hooking up the stuff to the computer.

**UncleMacro** · 08-27-2006, 03:06 PM

What exactly are you trying to do? Connect servos directly to the computer or have the computer stand in as a transmitter? I've used servos connected directly to electronics projects to control things but I haven't messed with the RF (radio frequency) end of things. As far as books go I think you'd do better just scouring the info off of the Internet. The basic electronics behind RC stuff isn't all that complicated and that sort of thing gets lots of coverage on web pages. If you want to know how it works try searching for things like "RC servo pulse width modulation transmitter receiver". Most people don't build their own electronics because there's quite a severe learning curve to getting started. To hook servos to a computer you just buy gizmos like this or this. If you want a computer controlled transmitter then you can buy a gizmo from these guys which uses the buddy box connector on the transmitter. If you're looking to build your own for fun then you'll probably have to get a transmitter and "hack" it to be controlled by a computer. You have to have some electronics experience and test equipment to do stuff like that. Personally, I have a humidifier I hacked into being computer contolled sitting on the table across from me but you have to be good with electronics and improvisation to do things like that. I found someone here who hacked a transmitter to be under computer control but that sort of thing is definitely not for beginners. You're looking at a long term project if you're not already into electronics.

**Ralck** · 08-28-2006, 11:59 AM

A quick recomendation: if your looking to go for anything with robotics using servos, get a C-based instruction set chip. There are others out there like Java, but Java is a 'just-in-time' language, meaning it doesn't accurately count time, which is imperative on servos or the behavior is eratic.
For example: I do robotics work at my school and the instructor bought these Java-based 'robots' (they were really just programmable RC cars). We were supposed to navigate a maze by pre-programming a routine into the robot and we weren't allowed to use any sensors so we couldn't detect where a wall was or anything. The same program never did the same thing twice, which basically meant when the time came to demonstrate, we ran into a wall as well as EVERY other group (there were like 10-12 groups total).

08-27-2006, 01:11 PM	#1 (permalink)
matthew_77 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 3 OS: XP	Electronics and RC This is an off the wall question, but I am hoping someone can help. I getting intrested in learning how to build my own RC cars and other RC stuff. After I learn that, I want to learn how I can hook them up to a computer and control with it programs. I learned about this when I saw a BASIC STAMP kit at Radio Shack, made by Parallax. http://www.parallax.com/ I want to know if anyone knows of a good book I can buy at BN, Amazon, or another book store that teaches me the basics of making RC electronics. I don't want to spend $79.00 at Parallax if it isn't good. Also, a good website for buying the materials. Later, I will learn about hooking up the stuff to the computer.

08-27-2006, 03:06 PM	#2 (permalink)
UncleMacro TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: San Diego Posts: 2,133 OS: Vista SP1 My System	What exactly are you trying to do? Connect servos directly to the computer or have the computer stand in as a transmitter? I've used servos connected directly to electronics projects to control things but I haven't messed with the RF (radio frequency) end of things. As far as books go I think you'd do better just scouring the info off of the Internet. The basic electronics behind RC stuff isn't all that complicated and that sort of thing gets lots of coverage on web pages. If you want to know how it works try searching for things like "RC servo pulse width modulation transmitter receiver". Most people don't build their own electronics because there's quite a severe learning curve to getting started. To hook servos to a computer you just buy gizmos like this or this. If you want a computer controlled transmitter then you can buy a gizmo from these guys which uses the buddy box connector on the transmitter. If you're looking to build your own for fun then you'll probably have to get a transmitter and "hack" it to be controlled by a computer. You have to have some electronics experience and test equipment to do stuff like that. Personally, I have a humidifier I hacked into being computer contolled sitting on the table across from me but you have to be good with electronics and improvisation to do things like that. I found someone here who hacked a transmitter to be under computer control but that sort of thing is definitely not for beginners. You're looking at a long term project if you're not already into electronics. Last edited by UncleMacro; 08-27-2006 at 03:08 PM.

08-28-2006, 11:59 AM	#3 (permalink)
Ralck TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,454 OS: 98SE/XP PRO/FC4 My System	A quick recomendation: if your looking to go for anything with robotics using servos, get a C-based instruction set chip. There are others out there like Java, but Java is a 'just-in-time' language, meaning it doesn't accurately count time, which is imperative on servos or the behavior is eratic. For example: I do robotics work at my school and the instructor bought these Java-based 'robots' (they were really just programmable RC cars). We were supposed to navigate a maze by pre-programming a routine into the robot and we weren't allowed to use any sensors so we couldn't detect where a wall was or anything. The same program never did the same thing twice, which basically meant when the time came to demonstrate, we ran into a wall as well as EVERY other group (there were like 10-12 groups total). __________________ Power Supply Info Everyone Should Read! How to Post Your System Specs