RC8P 8-Channel Radio with 2 R8FG Receivers – Piano Black
The RC8P is an 8-channel transmitter for RC cars, boats and crawlers, small enough to slip into a pocket or a backpack at just 193 g. This version has a Piano Black shell. Settings are read on a high-brightness 2.4-inch color screen and navigated with a scroll wheel, the radio announces battery level, signal anomalies and operating mode by voice, and it stores 30 models plus 16 sub-ID memories. The box includes two R8FG receivers, each with eight channels, built-in gyro, IPX4 splash protection and telemetry, so two models can be set up right from the start.
Ground range reaches 600 m in open conditions, and with a digital servo the response time drops to 3 ms. Telemetry (transmitter voltage, RSSI, receiver voltage and model battery voltage) is shown directly on the screen. Charging, firmware updates, the simulator connection and wired trainer mode all run through the single Type-C port.
Quick facts
- Voice announcements for battery level, signal anomalies and operating mode – custom voice files are created with text-to-speech software and copied to the radio
- One-switch dual rate: toggles between a faster and a calmer response, preset per driver, so the radio can be handed to a beginner mid-session
- Runs RC simulators via the Type-C port without a dongle, on Windows and macOS
- Wireless trainer mode with up to 600 m of free movement, or wired via Type-C
- Four groups of programmable mixing, and the switches for all eight channels can be reassigned
- EXT telemetry cable included, for model battery voltage directly on the screen
- Textured trigger for a secure grip with sweaty hands, and a lanyard that takes the strain off the wrist
| Color | Piano Black |
| Channels | 8, fully proportional |
| Model types | MoreCars, boats and crawlers |
| Screen | More2.4-inch color screen, 320 × 240 pixels |
| Ground range | MoreUp to 600 m |
| Response time | More14 ms analog, 4 or 3 ms digital |
| Model memory | 30 models plus 16 sub-IDs |
| Included receivers | More2 × R8FG, 8 channels, gyro and IPX4 |
| Power | MoreBuilt-in 18650 battery, 2500 mAh, up to 12 hours |
| Weight | More193 g |
In the box
- RC8P transmitter in Piano Black
- 2 × R8FG receivers with gyro and telemetry
- 18650 battery, 2500 mAh, pre-installed in the transmitter
- EXT telemetry cable for the R8FG
- Type-C cable for charging and firmware updates
- Lanyard
- 2.0 mm hex wrench
- User manual
Advanced specifications
Screen, menus and voice
The 2.4-inch color screen has 320 × 240 pixels and a high-brightness panel that stays readable in direct sunlight, and every parameter can be viewed and adjusted on it. It is not a touchscreen: the menus are navigated with the scroll wheel, and a short press on it opens the settings menu. The menu languages are English and Chinese.
The voice announcements report battery level, signal anomalies and the current operating mode the moment they happen, so your eyes can stay on the model instead of the screen. The announcements can be replaced with your own: voice files are created with text-to-speech software on a computer and copied to the transmitter, which opens up other message types, styles, speeds, volumes and dialects. The procedure is described in chapter 4 of the manual, Customized Switch Audio Production.
Range and response time
FHSS spread spectrum with 67-channel pseudo-random frequency hopping and an industrial-grade anti-interference algorithm keeps the link stable both within and between frequency bands. Ground range reaches 600 m in open, interference-free conditions.
Two protocols can be selected in the RF menu: FHSS V1 and FHSS V2. With FHSS V1, every receiver compatible with the RC8P works. The servo speed setting becomes available when FHSS V2 is selected. Servo speed can then be set to 14, 4 or 3 ms, where 14 ms is the setting for analog servos and 4 and 3 ms are the settings for digital servos. FHSS V2 runs with the R16F, R16SM, R12F and R8FGH, as well as R8FG and R4FGM receivers marked V2.1 or manufactured on 26 April 2023 or later.
Simulator and trainer
The RC8P works as a simulator controller via the Type-C port, with no dongle in between: connected to a computer it runs TRYP FPV, AeroFly, Uncrashed, Liftoff, FPV LOGIC and Velocidrone, on Windows and macOS, for offline practice or online racing.
The trainer function runs wireless or wired. In wireless mode the instructor moves freely within 600 m of the student. This requires RadioLink's wireless trainer cable, sold separately. Wired mode runs via the Type-C port. The manual describes the three modes, teacher, student and head track, in section 2.21.
Mixing, telemetry and gyro
The radio has four groups of programmable mixing, and all eight channels sit on switches that can be reassigned.
Telemetry covers transmitter voltage, RSSI, receiver voltage and model battery voltage, all directly on the screen. Model voltage requires the EXT telemetry cable, which is included, connected to the ESC and battery: up to 8S, 33.6 V with the included R8FG receivers or an R7FG, and up to 14S, 58.8 V with an R8FGH or R16F.
Both included R8FG receivers have a built-in gyro and support high-voltage servos. The gyro helps the vehicle hold its line, smooths out cornering and reduces sliding at higher speed. Sensitivity is set from 0 to 100 % in the gyro menu, sits on CH8 and is adjusted with the DL1 dial by default. The gyro itself is switched on or off with three short presses on the receiver's bind button. The receiver runs in four modes, PWM, PWM+SBUS, PWM+gyro and PWM+SBUS+gyro, and SBUS is toggled with a single press on the same button.
Power and ergonomics
The transmitter is powered by a single 2500 mAh 18650 lithium cell, pre-installed in an 18 × 65 mm battery compartment and good for up to 12 hours of continuous use. It charges in place via the Type-C port from a computer or a power bank: the power button glows red while charging and blue when the cell is full. The low-voltage alarms default to 3.6 V for the transmitter, with automatic shutdown at 3.3 V, 3.6 V for the receiver and 6.6 V for the model battery, and all of them are adjustable.
The same Type-C port also handles firmware updates, the simulator connection and wired trainer mode, so one cable covers the bench work.
At 124.32 × 147.39 mm and 193 g the radio slips into a pocket or a backpack. The trigger has a textured surface for a secure grip with sweaty hands, the switches sit within thumb reach around a well-thought-out grip, and the included lanyard takes the strain off the wrist during long sessions. A 2.0 mm hex wrench is also in the box.
Compatibility
Receivers: R8FG (two included), R16F, R16SM, R12F, R8FGH, R8EF, R8FM, R8SM, R8XM, R7FG, R6FG, R6F and R4FGM.
Model types: touring cars, off-road buggies, crawlers, monster trucks, mini cars, construction vehicles and boats.
Signal output: The R8FG provides PWM on CH1–CH7 and SBUS on CH8, so it also connects to flight controller hardware that accepts SBUS.
Technical specifications
| Model | RadioLink RC8P |
| Product type | 8-channel pocket transmitter |
| Color | Piano Black |
| Size | 124.32 × 147.39 mm |
| Weight | 193 g |
| Battery | 18650 lithium cell, 2500 mAh, pre-installed, battery compartment 18 × 65 mm |
| Frequency band | 2.4 GHz ISM, 2400–2483.5 MHz |
| Spread spectrum | FHSS, 67-channel pseudo-random frequency hopping |
| Protocol | FHSS V1 and FHSS V2 |
| Channel resolution | 4096 |
| Screen | 2.4 inch, 320 × 240 pixels, 16-bit color, high brightness |
| Model memory | 30 models plus 16 sub-ID memories |
| Ground range | Up to 600 m, open and interference-free |
| Operating voltage | 3.4–4.2 V DC |
| Current draw | 170 mA ±10 mA at 4.2 V |
| Type-C input | 5 V, 500 mA |
| Transmit power | <100 mW (20 dBm) |
| Data rate | 38 kbps |
| Receiver sensitivity | -104 dBm |
| Response time | 3, 4 or 14 ms, selectable |
| Operating temperature | -30 °C to 85 °C |
R8FG receiver, 2 included
| Product type | 8-channel receiver with built-in gyro |
| Size | 35 × 24 × 13.5 mm |
| Antenna length | 205 mm |
| Weight | 10.5 g |
| Signal output | PWM on CH1–CH7, SBUS on CH8 |
| Operating voltage | 3–12 V, high-voltage servos supported |
| Current draw | 35 mA at 5 V |
| Telemetry | Model battery voltage, RSSI and receiver voltage |
| Splash protection | IPX4 |
| Range | Up to 600 m |
| Compatible transmitters | RC8P, RC8X, RC6GS V3, RC4GS V3, RC6GS V2, RC4GS V2, RC6GS (version with 3-position switch), RC4GS (manufactured after 2018-01-01), T16D, T12D, T8FB, T8S |
Good to know
Maximum range is measured in open terrain without interference and varies with the model, installation, antenna placement and surroundings. The 4 and 3 ms response times require a digital servo, the FHSS V2 protocol and a receiver that supports it. The IPX4 splash protection applies to the R8FG receivers. The transmitter itself has no IP rating. The menu languages are English and Chinese. Wireless trainer mode requires RadioLink's wireless trainer cable, which is not included.
Full manual: radiolink.com/rc8p_user_manual
Specifications according to the manufacturer. Range, response time and battery life depend on installation and conditions.
