The RC Newb Podcast

Most of my "hobby time" has been focused on small-scale machines lately. Between weather woes and overall fun, I've found these tiny (tiny) trucks to be a fun distraction from the day-to-day grind. Among my growing collection of 1/18, 1/24, 1/30, and 1/64 radio-controlled vehicles, one platform stands out from the crowd: Axial's SCX30. Introduced in late 2025, this 1/30-scale micro crawler is amazingly fun to drive right out of the box, and it offers a new world of customization and upgrade options for hobbyists who are looking to improve its performance. In this episode of The RC Newb Podcast, I take an up-close look at the SCX30, examining its appearance and performance as it's tested on some indoor obstacles. Show Notes: R/C News Hobby Plus Speck-B Brushless Edition Main Topic - Micro-crawling fun with the Axial SCX30 Watch my video overview and review of the Axial SCX30 Read my review of the Axial SCX30 Jeep Wrangler and Ford Bronco Save on R/C upgrades with these discount codes: Save $5 on accessories from fmshobby.com with coupon codeRCNEWB Save 5% at rcawd.com with coupon code RCNEWB5 Save 10% at HobbyPlus with coupon code RCNEWB10

3D printing and the R/C hobby are an incredibly powerful duo. Whether you want to create your own designs for tools, parts, and storage, or you simply want to download neat items to make your R/C experience even better, 3D printing allows you to do just that. While I've been involved in both for several years, it wasn't until late last year that I became re-inspired by 3D printing. Advancements in printer technology , making these devices more like appliances rather than machines you need to stay one step ahead of, have turned 3D printing into a reliable form of creation and production (thanks to brands like Bambu Lab and others). In this episode of The RC Newb Podcast, I dive back into 3D printing and share some resources and projects you may want to check out. Show Notes: R/C News HPI appears to be releasing several new models in the coming months, including their performance-focused Venture18 CC. Redcat has shrunk its Ascent crawler yet again with the introduction of the Ascent-32 micro crawler. Main Topic: 3D Printing & the R/C Hobby Amazing resources for finding models: YouMagine My Mini Factory Cults3D Makerworld Thingiverse Printables.com Fun, printable R/C-focused projects and designers: Project IJ by RCMustDIY Ampro Engineering Knight Customs - An excellent resource for 3D-printable models Save on R/C upgrades with these discount codes: Save $5 on accessories from fmshobby.com with coupon codeRCNEWB Save 5% at rcawd.com with coupon code RCNEWB5 Save 10% at HobbyPlus with coupon code RCNEWB10

One of the best ways to enjoy the R/C hobby and meet other hobbyists is to attend an R/C event. Whether it's a crawler event, a race, or something else, planning and bringing the right gear will help ensure you have the best time possible. In this episode of The RC Newb Podcast, I discuss some must-have items for any R/C gathering. Show Notes: News Redcat Brushless 1/18-scalers: Redcat Ascent-18 Brushless Redcat Ascent-18 Brushless Scout II Redcat Ascent-18 Apex Micro RC crawlers are on the move: Axial unveils the SCX30 Jeep Wrangler and SCX30 Ford Bronco Redcat pre-announces the yet-to-be-released Ascent-32 Hobby Plus unveils its CR18P Terranaut 8x8 The Great American R/C Crawl is returning to Road America in 2026 Main Topic: RC Event Prep Stay hydrated by bringing a pack of water or a durable, refillable water bottle Dress for the climate and keep an eye on the weather forecast, packing appropriate gear for the conditions Include a First Aid Kit in the event of scrapes and cuts If you're camping at the event, make sure your tent and other gear is in good shape Don't forget to book your hotel, AirBNB, or campsite when you buy your event tickets Pack spare parts like shocks, chassis links, servos, and motors just in case things break while on the trail or track A small tool kit with wrenches and spare hardware can come in handy if you need to make repairs away from your home base Save on R/C upgrades with these discount codes: Save $5 on accessories from fmshobby.com with coupon codeRCNEWB Save 5% at rcawd.com with coupon code RCNEWB5 Save 10% at HobbyPlus with coupon code RCNEWB10

"This does not spark joy." Those were the words that were rolling around my head for a good portion of this year…until recently. I've been struggling with disinterest in the hobby and this episode of The RC Newb Podcast focuses on my thoughts during these "blah" times. Thankfully, I've snapped out of whatever funk I was in, and I'm back to working on a handful of R/C-related projects. If the hobby has ever bummed you out, hopefully this episode can help. Show Notes: Rlaarlo releases its TK07 1/7-scale trail truck FMS releases new brushless FCX24 Power Wagon, FCX24 Chevy K5 Blazer, and FCX18 Toyota Land Cruiser 80 models Traxxas keeps building its circle track lineup with the Slash Late Model BL-2S Losi's 2025 NASCAR lineup has been released Rip the cushion with Losi's 22S Sprint Car Summer R/C Deals: Redcat's Hot Summer Sale Associated Electric's 2025 "Christmas in June" Sale Horizon Hobby's Precision and Power Savings Event Save on R/C upgrades with these discount codes: Save $5 on accessories from fmshobby.com with coupon codeRCNEWB Save 5% at rcawd.com with coupon code RCNEWB5

It's almost here…the 2024 holiday shopping season. I've always considered this to be one of the best times to get yourself into the hobby, get someone else into the hobby, or stock up on spare parts and accessories for the coming year. In this episode of The RC Newb Podcast, I recap a few new models from Vanquish, Axial, Carisma, and FMS while also sharing some of the best Pre-Black Friday R/C deals of 2024. Show Notes: Vanquish has released a kit version of its H10 Optic trail buggy (and there's a twist). Axial released several updated models to end 2024: SCX24 Lexus GX 470, SCX24 Base Camp, SCX10 III Base Camp (Updated), and UTB18 Capra 4WS. Upgrade your SCX24 or SCX10 with various performance and scale accessories. Carisma has released a Special Edition of its M48S Audi Sport Quattro with 5-spoke wheels and new tires for improved scale authenticity and off-road performance. Classic off-road and overland fans rejoice; FMS has officially released the FCX10 Toyota LC80 1/10-scale trail rig. Fair RC is also offering this model at the same price for a limited time. Snag some deals as we head into the 2024 holiday shopping season. Specific deals worth checking out: Axial SCX24 2021 Ford Bronco - $79.99 (through 11/20/24) FMS FCX24M Land Rover Camel Trophy Edition Lineup - $99.99 each (through 11/20/24) Axial SCX6 Trail Honcho - $849.99 (through 11/20/24) Redcat Ascent-18 - $95.99 (through 12/2/24) Bambu Lab 2024 Black Friday Sale: Save on select 3D printers and accessories (through 12/3/24) Save on R/C upgrades with these discount codes: Save $5 on accessories from fmshobby.com with coupon codeRCNEWB Save 5% at rcawd.com with coupon code RCNEWB5

Show Notes: Upgrading and customizing the Redcat COE Custom Hauler & SixtyFour Lowrider Diving into RC Drifting with Redcat's RDS Competition Spec RTR Installing Injora's Purple Viper and MBL32 into a Traxxas TRX-4M and Redcat Ascent-18 Check out my review of the Redcat Ascent-18 on smallscalerc.com Check out my review of the FMS FCX24 Camel Trophy Land Rovers on smallscalerc.com Check out the Redcat September Super Sale for discounts on the Gen9 Scout 800A, TC8 Marksman, Wendigo RTR, RDS Competition Spec Drift RTR and RDS Builders Kit (through the end of September 2024) FMS September RC Car Sale - Save on models like the ROCHobby Mashigan, FMS FCX24 Lemur, and others. Save on R/C upgrades with these discount codes: Save $5 on accessories from fmshobby.com with coupon codeRCNEWB Save 5% at rcawd.com with coupon code RCNEWB5

Back at it with another episode of The RC Newb Podcast. For today's topic, I recap several of Redcat's latest releases and share some news on models I'm currently testing out and reviewing from FMS. Show Notes: Redcat's been on a tear with new model releases, notably: 2023 Gen9 International Scout 800A Ascent Custom Hauler Custom Trailer 2024 Vigilante 1/5 Monster Truck Ascent-18 Ascent Fusion Watch my unboxing of the Redcat Gen9 International Scout 800A Read my review of the Redcat Gen9 International Scout 800A FMS New Releases for 2024: FCX10 Chevrolet K5 Blazer FCX18 Chevy K10 Pickup Truck FCX18 Toyota LC80

If you were hoping to hear a discussion about how to get the most out of attending an R/C event (I'm looking at you, Axialfest…), you'll have to wait a little while longer. I'm dedicating this episode of The RC Newb Podcast to the Traxxas TRX-4M, a small-scale rig that's got me feeling all giddy and excited about the hobby. Show Notes: Traxxas TRX-4M 1/18-scale R/C Crawler Traxxas TRX-4M Upgrades Hobby Recreation Products has the Carisma SCA-1E 2.1 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro in stock! (Save $30 with code HR221130) Check out this year's best R/C holiday shopping deals.

Hello again! I'm back in my mobile recording studio to record another episode of The RC Newb Podcast. A lot has happened since episode 74; Axialfest Badlands 2022 came and went (and was awesome), Traxxas released several fun vehicles in various sizes, Element RC dropped a new entry-level crawler, and Carisma showcased its scale detail chops with a few new releases. The topic of this episode is the small-scale crawling boom, but we'll cover a few other topics as well. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the show! Show Notes: Traxxas XRT Carisma Scale Adventure SCA-1E 2.1 Spec 2021 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro Carisma MSA-1E Subaru Brat & Mitsubishi Pajero Element RC Enduro Sport Edition Traxxas TRX4M Ford Bronco & Land Rover Defender Axial Capra UTB 18 FMS FCX24 Power Wagon FMS FCX24 Max Smasher Monster Truck

When your dream car (or truck) is available in 1/10-scale, it's hard to pass up the opportunity to park one in your R/C garage. As soon as Traxxas announced its TRX-4 2021 Ford Bronco, I knew I needed that rig in my life. In this episode of The RC Newb Podcast, I give an overview of my favorite features from this rig and also showcase some of the upgrades I've performed on it over the past year. Show notes: My plans for AxialFest Badlands 2022 are taking shape, and I'll be wheeling an Axial RR10 Bomber thanks to a recent Horizon Hobby Flash Sale. My "First Impressions" of the Traxxas TRX-4 2021 Ford Bronco With plenty of upgrade options available for the TRX-4, specifically the 2021 Bronco, I had a fun time tricking my rig out with the following upgrades: Traxxas Pro Scale LED Lighting Kit Injora 1.9" Beadlock Wheels Injora Aluminum M4 Wheel Nut Covers Club 5 Racing Scale Exhaust Tips for the TRX-4 2021 Ford Bronco Club 5 Racing Ford Bronco Rear Tire Cover Club 5 Racing Metal Front Skid Plate for the TRX-4 2021 Ford Bronco Treal Brass Portal Axle Housing Covers H-Tech Custom Products Aluminum Front Bumper for the TRX-4 2021 Ford Bronco H-Tech Custom Products Aluminum Rear Bumper for the TRX-4 2021 Ford Bronco