Servo Radio

Servo Radio
I need help understanding rc controllers and stuff like that?

I need some info on how the radio control stuff works in rc planes and cars. I don't get what 3 or 6 channels is or how you get a servo to do what. Does anyone have any links or books that might help me?

The signal sent to the receiver by the transmitter is separated by channels. Each one, be it 3, 4, 5, or 6 channels performs a function. For example channel 3 might be assigned to control power or throttle. Channel 4 might be assigned to rudder. The more channels a system has, the more you can do with it. To fly an airplane it typically takes 1 chnl for throttle, one for ailerons, one for elevator, one for rudder. If you have extra channels you can have flaps, perhaps turn on a smoke system, or a camera. Each function requires a channel. Each channel is operated on the Transmitter by a stick control, push button, or a switch.

The servos are connected to each specific channel at the receiver. A servo can be thought of as a small motor that rotates in the exact proportion as the stick on the transmitter is moved. Usually the servo has an actuator rod connected to the motor to translate rotation into push-pull motion. That motion in turn pulls and pushes on throttle arms to open and close them. Or to pull.push on an elevator via a rod to make it move up and down.

Off hand I can't think of a source for books, but if you goggle Radio control models, etc, I'm sure you will find something.

Sodor Scratchbuilding: Radio Control Eye Mechanisms, Servos, Transmitters, and Receivers