The RC Deep Dive Podcast

I've been blessed to be able to help out with a group of vintage RC car hobbyists with a new daily podcast about radio controlled cars called the RC Deep Dive. Here is the announcement that they have been making after posting our 100th episode yesterday, so I wanted to share it here too: 

Our new podcast, The RC Deep Dive, just posted its 101st episode, so we thought we would dare to come announce our podcast to the RC hobbyist community! After 101 episodes, we want your questions and topic ideas for future podcasts. Our focus is on vintage, classic, rere (re-release), and modern RC cars, buggies, trucks, and vans. We review RC model vehicles, hop-ups, and give you advice on how to fix, upgrade, repair, and improve your radio-controlled vehicles and teach you about the history of the RC hobbyist community and culture. We are all about that RC life!

You can find all our links to Podcast aggregators that host the RC Deep Dive podcast at https://linktr.ee/rcdeepdive . We are available on Android Podcasts, Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Audible, BoomPlay, CastBox FM, Deezer, iHeartRadio, Pandora, Player FM, Podbean, Pocket Casts, Podcast Addict, Podcast App, Podcast Guru, Podcast,ru, PodChaser, Poddtoppen, Podmailer, Podtail, Rephonic, YouTube, and YouTube Music. Our podcast host website is at https://rcdeepdive.podbean.com/ .

We look forward to your comments, likes, subscriptions, and creating podcasts based on your suggestions and questions!

Here are our episodes so far and our planned episodes for the future, along with the dates that they were published or will be pushed to podcast aggregator apps: 

1. The Tamiya Frog Hop-Ups: CVD or UJ Drive Shafts over the Dog Bones or Hex Drive 2025-03-27
2. The Tamiya Grasshopper Hop-Ups: Oil-Filled CVA Shock Dampers using Grasshopper II Parts 2025-03-28
3. Hidden Upgrades for the Grasshopper II from the Rising Fighter 2025-03-29
4. Which Grease to Use? Moly vs. AWG vs. Cera HG 2025-03-30
5. Which Battery Should I Use in my R/C car? 2025-03-31
6. Hop-Up Tires and Wheels for your Tamiya and other brand R/C Buggies, Cars, Trucks, and Vans 2025-04-01
7. Stabilizing Gearboxes in the Tamiya Grasshopper, Hornet, Grasshopper 2, and other R/C Vehicles 2025-04-02
8. The MIP Super Ball Diff for Tamiya ORV R/C Vehicles, including the Frog, Brat, Blackfoot, and Super Beetle 2025-04-03
9. HOW-TO: Upgrade your Tamiya Grasshopper to a Hornet and your Grasshopper II to a Super Hornet 2025-04-04
10. 380 Tuned Motors vs 540 Motors: What's the right choice? 2025-04-05
11. The Special Color Edition R/C Cars 2025-04-06
12. Who Really Owns your Local Hobby Shop and R/C Car Brands? 2025-04-07
13. Let's Get into Traxxas! 2025-04-08
14. The Elusive Super G Tamiya R/C Buggies 2025-04-09
15. What Causes Grubscrew Issues in the Grasshopper 2 with a 380 Sport Tuned Motor? 2025-04-10
16. What are the Top 10 Selling R/C Vehicles of all Time? 2025-04-11
17. A Simple 3-D Printed ORV Trailing Shock Arm Can Save your R/C Car! 2025-04-12
18. Which Cements, Glues, and Solvents to Use on your R/C Cars? 2025-04-13
19. Do Low-Profile Servos Allow you to use Larger Batteries in your Grasshopper/Hornet Family of R/C Buggies? 2025-04-14
20. What are the Best Tools to Build your R/C Vehicle? You Might be Surprised! 2025-04-15
21. The Missing Cera Grease HG Mystery 2025-04-16
22. Sticks or Pistol Grips: Which is best for your R/C Vehicles? 2025-04-17
23. Tamiya vs. HobbyWing: Which ESC is Best for You? 2025-04-18
24. The Flysky and DSServos Takeover of R/C 2025-04-19
25. R/C Cars and Trucks in Pop Culture 2025-04-20
26. Cutting, Sanding, Masking, & Painting Lexan (Polycarbonate) R/C Vehicle Bodies 2025-04-21
27. HOW-TO:  Fix Common Throttle and Transmitter Issues 2025-04-22
28. BRAT Attack! Why those Subaru BRAT Wheels & Tires are so Popular On R/C Buggies 2025-04-23
29. What is that Cardboard Disk that goes on your 540 Motor? 2025-04-24
30. What do Shock Damper Oil Colours and Numbers Mean? 2025-04-25
31. Which Shock Oil is Best for the Grasshopper/Hornet Family of R/C Buggies? 2025-04-26
32. What is the Best Shock Damper Oil for ORV Chassis Based Tamiya R/C Models? 2025-04-27
33. HOW-TO:  Easily Fix R/C Vehicle Steering Issues 2025-04-28
34. Is Using Marine Grease in R/C Cars a Good Idea? 2025-04-29
35. HOW-TO:  Fix Broken Shock Towers 2025-04-30
36. HOW-TO:  Solve Servo Woes 2025-05-01
37. Aftermarket Third Party Hop-Up Option Makers 2025-05-02
38. HOW-TO:  Lower  the CoG on the Lunchbox & other R/C Monster Trucks 2025-05-03
39. Upside Down Shock Dampers? 2025-05-04
40. 
    The RC Deep Dive Podcast Theme/Intro song 2025-05-05
41. Is a Frog with a MIP Super Ball Diff Slower? 2025-05-06
42. Why is the Tamiya Frog Called the Mighty Frog in Japan? 2025-05-07
43.  R/C Boy: The Radio-Controlled Vehicle Manga 2025-05-08
44. R/C Street in Hong Kong 2025-05-09
45. The History of R/C Vehicles 2025-05-10
46. What are LiFe Batteries and are they Worth the Tamiya Tax? 2025-05-11
47. What are RTR, XB, & XSA R/C Vehicles? 2025-05-12
48. Minimum & Maximum Temperatures for R/C Components 2025-05-13
49. What was the CPR Unit in R/C Vehicles? 2025-05-14
50. What is the Best Wheel and Tire Choice for your 4WD R/C Cars? 2025-05-15
51. What is Understeer & Oversteer, and How Do You Fix It? 2025-05-16
52. Tamiya R/C Vehicle Promo Videos 1976-2025 2025-05-17
53. Steel vs. Aluminium Pinion Gears: Does it Really Matter? 2025-05-18
54. What is a Square Set Up? 2025-05-19
55. HOW-TO: Upgrade your Grasshopper with Hornet Parts 2025-05-20
56. HOW-TO: Upgrade to Oil Filled Shocks on the FAV & SRB Chassis R/C Buggies 2025-05-21
57. Why are Ball Bearings an Essential Hop-Up and Which Bearings are Best in R/C Cars? 2025-05-22
58. Red vs. Blue vs. Green vs. Orange Thread Lock in R/C Cars 2025-05-23
59. What was the R/C Vehicle Golden Age? 2025-05-24
60. Our Potential New Theme Song for the RC Deep Dive Podcast 2025-05-25
61. Shock Spring Sizes & Colours: What Does it All Mean? 2025-05-26
62. HOW-TO:  Clean and Maintain Your R/C Vehicles 2025-05-27
63. What R/C Cars Have Different Names in Japan vs the RotW? 2025-05-28
64. Where are R/C Vehicles Most Popular? 2025-05-29
65. Why Tamiya Subaru BRAT Wheels and Tires Instantly Sellout! 2025-05-30
66. Are O-Rings Needed in CVDs and UJs? 2025-05-31
67. ORV Gearbox Bearings: Tamiya Metal or Fast Eddy Rubber Seals? 2025-06-01
68. R/C Cars and their Place in Japanese Culture 2025-06-02
69. Is the Vintage 3-Piece Wheel Actually Superior? 2025-06-03
70. The Evolution of R/C Car Wheel Connectors 2025-06-04
71. What is Binding and How to Fix it? 2025-06-05
72. Are CVDs Necessary in the HotShot Family of R/C Cars? 2025-06-06
73. The T-Tool: The Iconic 4-Way or Cross Box Wrench History 2025-06-07
74. HOW-TO: Identify Causes and Fix Rear Axle Slop 2025-06-08
75. The Importance of Getting the Frog's Front Arms Right 2025-06-09
76. Beyond the Frog: Tamiya's Racing Championships 2025-06-10
77. Pro-Line & CRP Bumpers: Improved Function & Fashion! 2025-06-11
78. Best Wheels & Tires for the GH2 or Super Hornet 2025-06-12
79. Best Foam Inserts for Hornet Large Diameter Wheels 2025-06-13
80. What is Camber and How Do you Adjust it? 2025-06-14
81. What to do About the Extra-Long Frog Body Mounts? 2025-06-15
82. Where in the World are the Best Vintage R/C Car Racetracks? 2025-06-16
83. Design Thinking in Tamiya's First 100 R/C Buggies 2025-06-17
84. Hacking Flysky R/C Vehicle Transmitters 2025-06-18
85. HOW-TO: Remove Decals from R/C Vehicles 2025-06-19
86. Why do the FGH R/C Buggies Remain Iconic After Over 40 Years? 2025-06-20
87. Why is Tamiya’s Lavender Paint not the Correct Hue? 2025-06-21
88. What Exactly do the ORV Radius Arms Do? 2025-06-22
89. Let’s Get into Kyosho! 2025-06-23
90. The Bumper Paradox: How Stronger Parts Wreck your R/C Cars! 2025-06-24
91. HOW-TO: Prepare, Glue, Vent, and Balance your R/C Tires 2025-06-25
92. Decoding Different Diff Oils for your R/C Vehicle’s Differential Gears 2025-06-26
93. Can Washers Fix Axial and Radial Play in R/C Ball Bearings? 2025-06-27
94. Which Screws are the Best to Use in R/C Vehicles? 2025-06-28
95. HOW-TO: Get a HobbyWing 1060 Power Switch to Fit Correctly in a Tamiya R/C Model Chassis 2025-06-29
96. The 10 Must-Have Hop-Ups for the Tamiya Frog 1/10th Scale R/C Buggy 2025-06-30
97. Tamiya RC Cleaner Products Reviewed 2025-07-01
98. To Paint On-Sprue or Off-Sprue? 2025-07-02
99. What Exact Colour of White or Yellow Paint Ought to be Used for Headlights? 2025-07-03
100. What is Tamiya Gear Diff Putty and How Do You Use It? 2025-07-04
101. What are the Dry and Cure Times for Tamiya AS, PS, TS, X, and XF Paints? 2025-07-05
102. Vintage BRAT Attack vs. RestoMod Hornet Large Diameter Hop-Ups 2025-07-06
103. The RestoMod Movement, Blockhead Motors, and Jun Watanabe 2025-07-07
104. R/C Rally Car Legends: Audi Quattro vs. Lancia 037 2025-07-08
105. Do Softer Shock Springs Require Hard Damper Oil? 2025-07-09
106. What are Parma Double Wheel Adapters and How Do They Work? 2025-07-10
107. R/C Jargon: Racing, Bashing, Crawling, Driftin, Speed Running, and More! 2025-07-11
108. HOW-TO: Fix Lexan (Polycarbonate) Body Shell Cutting Mistakes 2025-07-12
109. R/C Rally Car Legends: Audi Quattro vs. Lancia 037 2025-07-13
110. Should You Grease Your Gearbox Where it Connects to Your Chassis? 2025-07-14
111. HOW-TO: Fix White Stress Lines in Your R/C Model Chassis 2025-07-15
112. The Evolution of the Vintage and ReRe Grasshopper/Hornet Family Chassis 2025-07-16
113. HOW-TO: The Rock Hopper Custom GH2 Build 2025-07-17
114. The (Mighty) Frog's Superiority Amongst Vintage and ReRe 2WD R/C Buggies 2025-07-18
115. HOW-TO: Use Pearl PS Paints on RC Model Polycarbonate Body Shells 2025-07-19
116. Team Associated Green Slime, Black Grease, and Stealth Diff Lube 2025-07-20
117. Why Aluminum Knuckles for the HotShot Family of 4WD R/C Buggies? 2025-07-21
118. CA Super Glue vs. Clear Silicon Sealant for Tire Glueing 2025-07-22
119. Are Grasshopper and Hornet Shock Brace Bars the Real Deal? 2025-07-23
120. Fixing All Front End Slop in the HotShot Family of 4WD R/C Buggies 2025-07-24
121. What is the History of the R/C ORV Chassis and it's Many Colors? 2025-07-25
122. Why are the Pro-Line and CRP ORV Hop-Up Bumper Exactly the Same? 2025-07-26
123. Hopper to Rocket: The History of Speedrunning the Tamiya Grasshopper 2025-07-27
124. HOW-TO: Fix Mismatched Electronics Connectors in R/C Vehicles? 2025-07-28
125. What is the CRP ORV Chassis Stiffener for the BRAT, Frog, Blackfoot, Super Beetle, etc.? 2025-07-29
126. What are the Most Popular Colors to Paint the Tamiya Frog R/C Buggy? 2025-07-30
127. Anytime Baby! The Wild Story of Tail Wing Mottos on Tamiya R/C Buggies 2025-07-31
128. The Super Sabre v Thunder Shot Problem of 1987 and 2022/2023 2025-08-01
129. Should you Combine Ball Diffs with Carbon Fiber Gearboxes and Support Tensioners? 2025-08-02
130. HOW-TO: Paint Chrome Details on Your R/C Model Vehicles? 2025-08-03
131. Changing Chassis: Why Some Tamiya ReRe R/C Models Have Very Different Chassis 2025-08-04
132. Power to the People: Alternate Placements of the Power Switch 2025-08-05
133. The Electric Handy Drill: A Great Hop-Up Tool that Need Hop-Ups Inself! 2025-08-06
134. To Paint the Windows or Not to Paint the Windows? That is the Question 2025-08-07
135. What are Hop-Up Nerf Wings , and Do You Really Need Them Today? 2025-08-08
136. HOW-TO: Get the Most Out of Your A3 Hobby Mats and R/C Car Stands 2025-08-09
137. How Can the Miniature Manufacturing CNC Alloy Heatsink Save Your R/C Model Vehicle? 2025-08-10
138. HOW-TO: Fix the Hornet Shocks Preventing Proper Grasshopper Bofy Fitment 2025-08-11
139. What is the Best Material for Static Balancing R/C Model Vehicle Wheels and Tires? 2025-08-12
140. HOW-TO: Fix the Front Top Shock Mount Screws From Sticking Out So Far 2025-08-13
141. The Frog Fit: The Proper Way to Mount Your R/C Buggy Body Shell 2025-08-14
142. What Does the CRP HotShot Nerf Wing Do, and Can it Fit the Super HotShot? 2025-08-15
143. C-Ring Necessity in Stock vs. Hopped-Up Frogs 2025-08-16

The year was 1985. Little did I know my prayer would be answered 40 years later!

We had new neighbors down the street. Mike and J.J. Vigil had moved out of state. In their place were new Filipino neighbors, Malcolm and Douglas MacLean.  Malcolm was my younger brother, Eric's age. Douglas was younger and the first one to start the Tamiya obsession in our neighborhood when he bought the Grasshopper, a 1/10 scale remote control buggy. These were the types of R/C cars that required you to build everything from boxes and bags of parts and required lots of tuning and you painted them yourself. They would take easily 6 hours to build with a father's help.

Some of my brothers friends, Scott and Jeff, also got Grasshoppers. But Malcolm eventually got the Hornet, which came out later that year, which was a supercharged version of the Grasshopper. Eric followed, as did some others. 

I watched and learned, and I fell in love with the Frog, known as the Mighty Frog in Japan, where Tamiya originated. It came out in 1984 but was more expensive and more complicated than either the Grasshopper or the Hornet. Unfortunately, it was too expensive and I never got the Frog. Instead, eventually, when visiting my cousin, Dana Genereaux, in 1985, who was my brother's age and also had a Hornet, I got the Pajero, pronounced Pah-Hair-Oh, but I mistakenly pronounced it Puh-Jer-Row. Looking through my cousin's catalogues and magazines, I still wanted that Frog, as it was the best looking RC buggy in my eyes. 

Forty years later similar things happened again. Tamiya still makes these rc cars but have updated the technology over the last four decades. My youngest son, Cyril, wanted the Candy Lime Green Edition of the Grasshopper, and it was a hit. My younger son, Daniel, soon decided that he wanted the Black Edition Grasshopper II, which was a reimagined version of the Grasshopper, that was the equivalent of the Super Hornet, a souped-up version of the original Hornet. Watching the enjoyment Cyril got in building and bashing his car, he wanted to have that same enjoyment. I got them all the best hop-ups to make sure they had the best of the updated features available from both Tamiya and small third-party companies.

Then the moment came. My boys wanted me to get an RC car too, so I could race with them, against their new rc buggies. I eventually agreed, and got a Tamiya Frog re-release as an early birthday and Father's Day gift. I took my time building it over 3 weeks and finally got a chance to drive my dream buggy, forty years later! 

Sometimes God says no to your prayers, but it is, "No, not now, but maybe someday later." I am thankful for this blessing that came 40 years later and is even more appreciated than it would have been back in the day. 

You can see more photos on my instagram page at https://www.instagram.com/vhaidrasaga/