Radioshack mini RC car question

I did this, but it wasn't much fun because the range was so short.

For a cheap one day project it's ok, but you can get real r/c stuff used for not much more money, and you get some _serious_ improvement in range and control.

Fifty Bucks!!!!???!?!??!?!?!!!

You were robbed!

Two bucks:

(well, $1.99, plus tax)

Sure. Use a proper antenna.

Just FYI, it stops because it's bang-bang control, i.e. either on or off. When the signal gets too weak to resolve, it just quits. Hundred- dollar Futaba RC servos simply hold their position, which can be a bitch when the servo is a motor speed control.

Cheers! Rich

I'd like to convert the RC unit from a mini rc car to run a scale plastic ship model.

Radioshack has such a toy

with fwd/reverse dc motor and a servo for the steering the front wheels . The guts should convert easily to the propeller drive and the rudder control. There's plenty of room in the hull to add a battery pack for longer run time than the 10 minutes available on the mini car.

There is a even simpler mini rc car on sale now at $49.99 for a two car set. I tried it out at the shop and it works great but has a rc range of only 5 feet or so. The operator then has to walk closer to restart the toy which will run another 5 feet before stopping again. This is rather strange as I would expect the signal to fade out not stop suddenly. What limits the range and is there a way to extend it?