Post by zman280 on Oct 9, 2008 9:40:52 GMT -5
You r/c experiences....... 
As I am sure little of your know, I am a free-lance writer. I am in fact, composing a book. Taking a small hiatus from it, I find myself wanting to possibly do a short coffee table style book on r/c.
Radio Control- the Experience.
Please keep in mind, this is for research. Any negative comments towards someone, or their experience will not be even considered. Also, take the time if you can to come close on spelling, and grammar. I don't expect a dictionary explanation, just make it make sense.
Any and all "stories" could find their way into this little rag, so please keep in mind, if you do not want it published, but would still like to share, please make note of it in your post.
Thanks in advance for all those who take part,
Ron Mallison
I will kick this off:
I remember my first r/c cars as a very young boy, around the age of 4-5. The white Lamborghini Countach and the "A-Team" van stand out as memorable. My fascination began early, as I was able to control something that was not a part of me, and without physical contact. This grew over the years, and as continued my love affair with radio controlled vehicles, so did my desire to go beyond the confines of the walls.
Going outside was obviously a huge improvement, as it gave me a feel for how the r/c car would act in the same conditions as it's full size counterpart. Seeing how it reacted on natural surfaces was only part of it, as now the vehicle could go well beyond the few feet of limitaton in a home. The first real obstacle reared it's ugly head- range. Limited to about fifty feet, I was forced to stay close. Not a big deal yet, as the speed was not anything that could be considered "fast".
Fast forward a few years, and I get my first taste of a hobby grade radio controlled car. I was hooked! The local hobby shop in Manistee, Michigan was amazing, and the cars and trucks were so much more advanced, and bigger , than anything I had ever seen. Also, was the price. Coming from a modest family of five, I knew something so expensive was out of reach. I would have to make due with what the local Radio Shack⢠had to offer.
Getting older, my love turned to snowmobiles, and dirt bikes, but still the love of r/c was there. Finally, I had my first hobby grade r/c as well- a Traxxas TRX10 Bullet. I had driven several other cars and trucks, but never owned one. The speed was amazing, as it would clearly out-run the best offerings from RS. Suspension was also incredible, and the feel of that Futaba radio was pure bliss. At that point I knew I would always have r/c in me.
And I was. I continued to purchase, build, and run these hobby grade cars and trucks. Soon, I had met others, also in the hobby. They also enjoyed "bashing" but raced them as well. Now this was interesting. I had raced motocross and snowmobiles prior, so this was a chance to get back into competition. The excitement of opening a new box, trying that first charge on a new pack, the first start up and break in of a new engine, and the anticipation of pulling the throttle to wide open has yet to subside at all. Twenty years later, I still feel the same excitement, thrill, and passion for these "toys" as I did back then. I have broadened my experiences too, owning nitro powered cars and trucks, electric, boats, planes, helicopters, and even a motorcycle or two.
Each and every time I head out the door, I cannot wait to drive. No matter what type of radio controlled vehicle it is, I feel excitement and anticipation. A certain serenity, if you will. The problems of day-to-day, and any thing else that might be happening in my world, all mysteriously vanish for the time I am driving or flying. An escape, a release, and a calming. The thrill of seeing a passerby driving a hobby grade r/c for the first time is also a great feeling too. I do my best at being an ambassador to this addiction I so love.
Radio control is not just a hobby to me, it's part of me.
As I am sure little of your know, I am a free-lance writer. I am in fact, composing a book. Taking a small hiatus from it, I find myself wanting to possibly do a short coffee table style book on r/c.
Radio Control- the Experience.
Please keep in mind, this is for research. Any negative comments towards someone, or their experience will not be even considered. Also, take the time if you can to come close on spelling, and grammar. I don't expect a dictionary explanation, just make it make sense.
Any and all "stories" could find their way into this little rag, so please keep in mind, if you do not want it published, but would still like to share, please make note of it in your post.
Thanks in advance for all those who take part,
Ron Mallison
I will kick this off:
I remember my first r/c cars as a very young boy, around the age of 4-5. The white Lamborghini Countach and the "A-Team" van stand out as memorable. My fascination began early, as I was able to control something that was not a part of me, and without physical contact. This grew over the years, and as continued my love affair with radio controlled vehicles, so did my desire to go beyond the confines of the walls.
Going outside was obviously a huge improvement, as it gave me a feel for how the r/c car would act in the same conditions as it's full size counterpart. Seeing how it reacted on natural surfaces was only part of it, as now the vehicle could go well beyond the few feet of limitaton in a home. The first real obstacle reared it's ugly head- range. Limited to about fifty feet, I was forced to stay close. Not a big deal yet, as the speed was not anything that could be considered "fast".
Fast forward a few years, and I get my first taste of a hobby grade radio controlled car. I was hooked! The local hobby shop in Manistee, Michigan was amazing, and the cars and trucks were so much more advanced, and bigger , than anything I had ever seen. Also, was the price. Coming from a modest family of five, I knew something so expensive was out of reach. I would have to make due with what the local Radio Shack⢠had to offer.
Getting older, my love turned to snowmobiles, and dirt bikes, but still the love of r/c was there. Finally, I had my first hobby grade r/c as well- a Traxxas TRX10 Bullet. I had driven several other cars and trucks, but never owned one. The speed was amazing, as it would clearly out-run the best offerings from RS. Suspension was also incredible, and the feel of that Futaba radio was pure bliss. At that point I knew I would always have r/c in me.
And I was. I continued to purchase, build, and run these hobby grade cars and trucks. Soon, I had met others, also in the hobby. They also enjoyed "bashing" but raced them as well. Now this was interesting. I had raced motocross and snowmobiles prior, so this was a chance to get back into competition. The excitement of opening a new box, trying that first charge on a new pack, the first start up and break in of a new engine, and the anticipation of pulling the throttle to wide open has yet to subside at all. Twenty years later, I still feel the same excitement, thrill, and passion for these "toys" as I did back then. I have broadened my experiences too, owning nitro powered cars and trucks, electric, boats, planes, helicopters, and even a motorcycle or two.
Each and every time I head out the door, I cannot wait to drive. No matter what type of radio controlled vehicle it is, I feel excitement and anticipation. A certain serenity, if you will. The problems of day-to-day, and any thing else that might be happening in my world, all mysteriously vanish for the time I am driving or flying. An escape, a release, and a calming. The thrill of seeing a passerby driving a hobby grade r/c for the first time is also a great feeling too. I do my best at being an ambassador to this addiction I so love.
Radio control is not just a hobby to me, it's part of me.
