Radio System Terminology - Traxxas Revo 3.3 5309 Owner's Manual

The Traxxas TQ-3 Radio System

Radio System Terminology

Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with these radio-system
Learn terms related to the
terms. They will be used throughout this manual.
TRX 3.3 Racing Engine
beginning on page 20.
5-Cell Pack – Another term for RX Pack or rechargeable receiver pack.
Channel - The 27 MHz frequency band is divided into 6 channels so that
Clearing your frequency - A routine, verbal check to make sure
Crystal (X-tal) - The plug-in device that determines which channel the
Frequency band - The radio frequency used by the transmitter to send
mAh – Abbreviation for milliamp hour. Measure of the capacity of the
Neutral position - The standing position that the servos seek when the
10 • Revo 3.3
The RX pack is made up of five rechargeable NiMH battery cells and is
used in place of the 4AA batteries in the model.
up to six models can be operated simultaneously. Each channel is
referred to by its flag color and channel number, as shown below.
Frequency
Channel
Band Color
1 26.995 Brown
2 27.045
3 27.095 Orange
4 27.145 Yellow
5 27.195 Green
6 27.255 Blue
nobody else in your area is operating on the same channel. Always
clear your frequency by calling out your channel number before
operating your model. Wait or move to another area if your channel
is already being used.
radio system will operate on. For each channel, there are two crystals,
one for the receiver and one for the transmitter. Of those two crystals,
the one marked "RX" with the lower number (.455 MHz lower) must be
inserted into the receiver.
signals to your Revo. All Traxxas RTR models operate on a 27 MHz
frequency band.
battery pack. The higher the number, the longer the battery will last
between recharges.
transmitter controls are at the neutral setting.
NiCad - Abbreviation for nickel-cadmium. The original rechargeable
hobby pack, NiCad batteries have very high current handling, high
capacity, and can last up to 1000 charging cycles. Good charging
procedures are required to reduce the possibility of developing a
"memory" effect and shortened run times.
NiMH - Abbreviation for nickel-metal hydride. Rechargeable NiMH
batteries offer high current handling, and much greater resistance
to the "memory" effect. NiMH batteries generally allow higher
capacity than NiCad batteries. They can last up to 500 charge
cycles. A peak charger designed for NiMH batteries is required
Flag Traxxas
for optimal performance.
Part No.
2031
OptiDrive ESM – Electronic Shift Module. The onboard electronic
controller that monitors vehicle speed and throttle position in order to
Red 2032
control the action of the shifting servo. Also includes low battery
2033
indicator for the onboard receiver pack (RX Power Pack).
2034
Receiver - The radio unit inside your Revo that receives signals from the
transmitter and relays them to the servos.
2035
2036
RX Pack - RX is a common abbreviation for the radio receiver and items
associated with it. RX Pack denotes the optional rechargeable battery
pack used to power the radio system in the model. It is available as
Traxxas part number 3037.
Servos - Small motor units in your Revo that operate the throttle and
steering mechanisms.
Three-channel radio system - The TQ-3 radio system, consisting of the
receiver, the transmitter, and the servos. The system uses three
channels: one to operate the throttle, one to shift the transmission,
and one to operate the steering.
Transmitter - The hand-held radio unit that sends throttle and steering
instructions to your Revo.
Trim - The fine-tuning adjustment of the neutral position of the servos,
made by turning the throttle and steering trim knobs on the face of
the transmitter.
Y Adapter – Servo cable adapter that takes one input signal and directs
it to two equal output signals. Used to connect dual steering servos to
the channel one receiver output.