How to Buy Robot Radio Controllers
If you're building your own robot, one thing you'll need to consider is how you're going to control it. Radio controls are the standard option for controlling a robot, but controls come in a variety of strengths and number of channels, so you'll want to shop around. Remember to factor in the size and weight of the receiver when building your robot.
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Look for a receiver that is sized to fit your robot. Receivers vary widely in size, and while larger receivers may be more powerful or hold a charge for longer, you may need to go with a smaller model to fit your robot.
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Consider the weight of the receiver when building your robot. The receiver will add weight to the robot, which means that the robot's center of gravity and needs for traction and power may change when you install it. Some brands of receiver may advertise being very light, but be aware that you'll probably pay top dollar for the lightest receivers.
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Remember that you will need both a radio receiver and a radio transmitter, which may be sold together or separately.
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Determine the strength of radio signal that you need. The farther away you'll be operating your robot, the stronger you'll need the signal to be. Most controls come in 2.4 GHz, which is adequate for controlling any robot that's close enough for you to see.
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Decide how many channels you want your radio control to have. You can use a multi-channel control for multiple radio-controlled devices, but you may also have channel interference, so think hard and shop around.
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Determine if you need to buy a separate antenna for the robot to enhance the power of the receiver.
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Remember that both the receiver and the transmitter need a source of power. The most common way to operate a receiver and transmitter is to use rechargeable batteries.
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Consider using secondhand parts from other radio controlled devices, like robot toys or remote controlled cars, boats or planes. You can expect to pay several hundred dollars for new transmitters and receivers, so using old parts can save you a bundle.
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