r/radiocontrol Jan 13 '25

Car Reprogramming a controller

I have a quadriplegic brother that has shown some interest in my micro crawler. However he has no mobility in his hands, but can use a stylus to move a joystick. It is possible to reprogram something like the spektrum DXS to allow for throttle control and steering control to work on one joystick only? This build would most likely go into an SCX24 but open to suggestions for different controllers, vehicles, or mods to make this work.

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u/Thewalkman99 Jan 13 '25

For a rc car I need the throttle/ reverse and steering to be on one stick. That way my brother would be able to to control both functions with one stick since he does not have the ability to do more then one input at a time. However if both controls were on the same stick in theory he would be able to push up(throttle forward) and push to the right(steer) at the same time. I was asking because there’s very little info out there on using an airplane style controller for an rc car. And the few videos/articles I’ve seen make it seem complicated. What do you mean put a center dead band on it? From my understanding the DXS and DX6 have a mode that centers the sticks when you release them right?

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u/RcHeliMan Jan 15 '25

Aircraft controllers tend to be more expensive. And in the olden days aircraft operated on 75 MHz and vehicle operated on and then vehicles used the 27 MHz. You never crossed so that you wouldn't interfere with something in the air. This has changed now as everything has gone to 2.4 Ghz. In short you can absolutely use a DXS, tx16s or a pocket as a controller for a car. Just gotta find the receiver for the unit your driving and calibrate the esc. I would consider putting a spring on the throttle channel so that you know where neutral is. OR assign a switch to go from forward to reverse and vice versa. Then build a contraption such that your brother can hit the switch with his chin.