R/Cast

The new Spektrum™ DSMR™ technology has been recently introduced as a frequency-agile system optimized for surface RC applications. Debuting in the DX4S, racers soon voiced that they’d like to see DSMR technology in a pure race-bread transmitter. The DX4R PRO is that new radio, featuring DSMR technology designed specifically with the racer in mind. In addition to new technology, the DX4R PRO also features a new, redesigned adjustable trigger, new graphical mixes for MOA, other crawler-specific mixes and programming, and everything else drivers have come to know and love about the DX3R PRO. Joining us in studio are Spektrum representatives Blake Good and John Adams, here to discuss the DX4R PRO and give some more racer-specific information regarding DSMR technology, including a look inside the new SR2000 receiver announced alongside the DX4R PRO.

iHobby is here yet again and we have an exciting new technology that is making a debut at the show. AVC, or Active Vehicle Control, has been designed by Spektrum™ to help lessen the difficulty and reduce the learning curve when first learning to drive an RC car. Not only will it help take your first steps but it will adapt and grow as you do, providing you with more and more confidence as you drive. Derek Wagner has been involved with AVC, both from the technology-side with Spektrum and the implementation-side with Vaterra® and the new Hälix™ 4WD monster truck. Derek sat down with us to discuss the new AVC technology, the new vehicles it will be featured in, how it works and more. We also reflect on the other new items debuting at iHobby, the just-concluded 2013 IFMAR World Championships and the Soaring Masters.

The geniuses behind Blade® helis have been hard at work on a new project that we're pleased to share with you. Many of you have asked for a quadcopter platform that you can mount and carry a camera on. We were pleased to share the announcement from the Blade team that it is coming and it is called the 350 QX. While it will be coming this fall, you can currently pre-order the Blade 350 QX at your local participating Blade retailer or online. We're sure this is one model that will be in high demand and people have been buzzing about this new machine since the initial announcement. Steven Petrotto, Blade Marketing Manager, joins the show this week to talk about this exciting new release. We also reached out to our social networking communities to see what questions they wanted answered. Finally, this week we also introduce what should be a familiar name and voice as our new Air Specialist and Co-Host of the R/Cast.

Last week we had some exciting news in the announcement of a new E-flite® Beast 60e and we have both Quique Somenzini and David Payne in-studio this week to discuss this new plane. From what went into shrinking down this iconic plane to optimizing it for electric power and more, we are able to provide you with some exclusive insight. John and Gary also discuss Seth Arnold's 3-pete at the XFC and all the hard work that went into his amazing accomplishment. Finally, this week we have some news regarding our own John Redman and his future. This episode marks John's final appearance as he prepares to tackle his next challenge in the RC industry. Come along as we check out all this and more on this week's episode of the R/Cast!

Winning one national championship is special. Winning a second provides validation and credibility. Winning three national titles puts you in very rare company. Team Losi Racing ace Adam Drake joined that elite status this past weekend as he captured his third ROAR 1/8-scale National Championship behind the wheel of his Team Losi Racing™ 8IGHT™ 3.0 buggy. Adam combined exceptional strategy with consistent speeds and unbeatable mechanical reliability to take the crown. Along with Adam taking the win, teammate Mike Truhe finished second overall with his 8IGHT 3.0 while Dakotah "The Phenom" Phend took the top-qualifying honors with his 8IGHT 3.0 buggy. Adam joins us on this very special edition of the R/Cast to discuss his very special achievement.

Bind-N-Fly® technology and more. Recently a new revolution was announced named SAFE™, or Sensor Assisted Flight Envelope. This technology could revolutionize RC flight in the same way Spektrum did. SAFE technology makes it possible to enjoy smoother flight capabilities so you can fly with the level of protection and assistance that suits any given moment of the flight. This week we’re joined by David Payne, Senior Product Developer for the air category; Steve Petrotto, marketing Manager for Blade; and Joe Burch, Senior Electrical Engineer for the air category. These three have been at the core of bringing SAFE to life and making it a reality. We hope you enjoy this exclusive inside look at SAFE technology.

We have long been fans of the ECX® lineup of cars and trucks dating back to the original ECX Circuit™ stadium truck, the Boost™ 2WD buggy, the Ruckus® 2WD monster truck and the Torment™ 2WD short course truck. Since their debut they have gone through a series of updates and revisions. This week we're joined by Scott Hughes, lead product developer for ECX, to discuss the latest updates to the lineup and what they mean to you. All-four 1/10-scale vehicles have some sort of update so there's sure to be something here for all ECX fans. We also have exciting news regarding a new full-scale sponsorship that Horizon Hobby® has entered into and a new Hangar 9® Corsair.

It seems like it has been forever since we've visited with you on the R/Cast, but we are back this week! In the last few months the engineers involved with Evolution® engines have been hard at work on a number of different power plants designed to, in some ways, change the way you fly. Where glow fuel was to be the only option for many years, gasoline powered engines have started to really change the landscape. Joining us on this week's show is Peter Bergstrom to help give us some insight on these new engines. Peter shares his insights on the performance range, tuning, maintenance and development of these engines.

It seems like it has been forever since we've visited with you on the R/Cast, but we are back this week! In the last few months the engineers involved with Evolution® engines have been hard at work on a number of different power plants designed to, in some ways, change the way you fly. Where glow fuel was to be the only option for many years, gasoline powered engines have started to really change the landscape. Joining us on this week's show is Peter Bergstrom to help give us some insight on these new engines. Peter shares his insights on the performance range, tuning, maintenance and development of these engines.

It seems like it has been forever since we've visited with you on the R/Cast, but we are back this week! In the last few months the engineers involved with Evolution® engines have been hard at work on a number of different power plants designed to, in some ways, change the way you fly. Where glow fuel was to be the only option for many years, gasoline powered engines have started to really change the landscape. Joining us on this week's show is Peter Bergstrom to help give us some insight on these new engines. Peter shares his insights on the performance range, tuning, maintenance and development of these engines.

This week we have some exciting news on an extended episode of the R/Cast. It isn't every day that Horizon Hobby launches a new brand but we have done just that at the 2013 Nuremburg Toy Fair. This new brand, named Vaterra, will be focusing on surface products designed for extreme performance in extreme places. Vaterra models will feature cars and trucks that look and drive just like their full-size counterparts. Derek Wagner and Brian Miller join us this week to talk about what makes Vaterra different from other RC offerings out there and dive into some of the details on the seven new vehicles that have already been announced. In addition to the Vaterra announcement, John and Gary also discuss the other exciting product launches at Nuremberg. This is a long show, but we hope you agree there's a ton of great information here.

It's a new year and Blade helicopter is here with a new model in the mCP X BL! This newest version of the mCP X heli now features a powerful brushless main motor and tail motor to deliver incredible power, throttle response and pop. James Haley and Steven Petrotto stopped by to keep Gary in line while John was out at the AMA show and discuss the new mCP X BL heli. They all discussed the new heli, what it flies like and what has gone into the airframe to optimize it for brushless performance. Gary also covers the new HobbyZone Glaisair Sportsman RTF, some new Team Losi Racing option parts and more.

We've had a chance to speak to a number of unique people on the R/Cast over the years. From former IFMAR World Champions, ROAR National Champions, designers, engineers and more, we've had a great cross-section of people on the show. To wind up 2012, Eustace Moore from MIP called in to talk about his background, how he got involved in the hobby, how MIP came into being and some of their ideal products such as the PRO4-Mance tuning kit for the Losi TEN-SCTE truck. John and Gary also recap some of their top moments from the previous 12 months, respond to your comments and questions and share their holiday wishes with each of you. Make sure you listen to our final R/Cast of 2012!

The Blade heli team has been teasing fans of their Facebook page recently about a future release. That release was officially unveiled today in the exciting Blade® 550 X heli. The 550 X heli represents a number of "firsts" for the Blade brand. This is the first time that the Blade brand has produced a helicopter of this size. This is also the first time that it has produced a heli in kit form. James Haley and Steven Petrotto join the show this week to discuss this exciting new helicopter, how it came together and a lot of exciting features. They also provide some insight regarding the Blade 500 X heli as well.

If you have been on our social networking sites in recent weeks, you may have noticed a recurring question asking Are you unique?. Many have wondered and guessed what this was all about, and we can unveil that the Spektrum brand was behind this question to promote a new, limited edition DX18 transmitter, the DX18QQ. As you may have guessed, the QQ is for none other than Quique Somenzini, who joined us in studio to discuss this new radio that is near and dear to his heart. Quique has been pioneering the model community for over 20 years and has now combined his vast knowledge of how a radio system can work for a pilot with the best radio company in the world to help bring the new Spektrum DX18QQ to life. The guys also talk about Garys appearance on the RC Today Show podcast (linked below) and answer your emails and questions.