RC car (and boat) frequencies

[This page talks about frequencies used in the US & Canada - use the links over on the right to check other countries]

A certain number of frequencies have been designated by law for use with radio control cars (the same ones are shared by rc boats too, but not airplanes).
They fall into the 27MHz and 75MHz bands and each separate frequency has been given a channel number.

This channel number though has nothing to do with the number of channels that a radio control model has, it's just the same word for a completely different thing ie a 2-channel rc car is not operating on frequency number 2, it means that it has control to 2 channels or functions, engine and steering.

RC models operating close to one another cannot do so on the same frequency because the radio waves being sent out from the transmitter will interfere with the other model. For this reason, it's very important that you check to see whether anyone else is operating another rc model nearby before you start running yours.

If you join a club, there will normally be a 'peg-board' system in operation, whereby each member running their model has to notify other members which frequency they are using by marking their frequency, or channel number, on a board of all channel numbers.

A typical club peg-board might look something like:

This example is for the 75MHz frequencies, and as you can see wooden pegs pushed into the holes of channels 62, 66, 72, 78, 84, 86 and 89 indicate that these channels are being used by club members racing their models.

Designated frequencies in the 27MHz band

It's worth noting that frequencies within the 27MHz band have also been given a unique color as well as a number. These are:

Designated frequencies in the 75MHz band

These are not color-coded, only numbered. They are:

Tip: for a small price to pay, a frequency checker like this one is a sure way of making sure whether anyone is operating an rc model on your frequency.

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