R/C Paradox - a pair of radio controlled duck decoys

After driving my friend's R/C boat on a duck pond one day, I was inspired to build an R/C duck.
I ended up buying a pair of duck decoys at the local flea market for $10. These are intended to be used by duck hunters to lure unsuspecting water foul within blasting range. When researching what kind of cheap R/C boat I could find to tear apart and reassemble into the duck, I found the yellow 10" submarine at RadioShack on sale for $20. They are available in two different channel frequencies, so I bought one of each, (excited now that I might be able to make two!). So now all I had to do was figure out a way to connect the ducks to the submarines in a fashion that would allow them to look and float like real ducks.

below are som links i found along the way:

R/C duck with a vengeance and rocket launcher

RadioShack R/C submarine

DuckCam Decoy Intructable

commercially prebuilt R/C ducks

Step 1: Stuff You'll Need

I had a hard time with the first version of the project, making a good seal between the duck and the sub.
It sank.I decided then, if I filled the duck with foam, it wouldn't matter if it leaked.
Also it would be easier to change the batteries, or add a different accessory, like shark fin.

duck decoy - hollow hard plastic, not wood or rubber.
spray foam - this stuff is messy and hard to clean up
submarine
heat gun
utility knife
(not pictured)
drill, holesaw, all thread stud, hex nut, hot glue gun

This where I should mention a missing step.
Notice in the picture I have used a hole saw to cut a circular hatch in the duck's back.
go ahead and do this first.

Comments

[theawesomeninja]

I think I'm derping here but what's the paradox?

[Matrix-technician]

Just so you know, the link at the top leads to a french website with no sign of the r/c rocket launcher duck.. so...... yea.

[capricorn]

Just a suggestion: Why don't you find a way to hide a cam in the duck so to have short distance documentaries of other birds? Aside from this I like it, but I would prefer if it wasn't used to lure some duck in getting a lead poisoning ;)

[Legoman200119]

Lead shot is illegal for waterfowl hunting and lead shot can only be used for hunting upland game like quail and dove.
Lego

[bladelord]

I would prefer a case of Steel Poisoning for them. They taste to good to pass up when I can head out of town during Duck season... which is coming up btw.

[bustedit]

yeah, and it will die of massive trauma or blood loss before poisoning would even set in. Maybe I'll try it with an R/C SHARK FIN...for the local park duck pond, and maybe figure out how to get it to submerge a lil!!!!!

[Tool Using Animal]

Don't worry, lead shot has been banned since 1991, they get steel poisoning now. ;-)

[imkwl12345]

woah wtf wat country r u from?

[Tool Using Animal]

the United States

[imkwl12345]

figures lol in australia we still use it

[Lignumvital]

I say make this little guy automated. Micro controller+Motion sensor = Seeking duck

[courtney]

these ducks are strictly for fun. I would never think of harming any real ducks or other animals for that matter. I really would like to add a camera, and maybe a string of baby ducks.

[bladelord]

If you add the baby ducks, DO NOT use it in a location with large mouth bass. You might lose the whole rig when the bass hit the duckling at the rear of the train.

[Wario]

nice, this will aid me in duck hunting.

[cmskallen]

Check your states regs first. Some states don't allow electronic decoys and you could get a hefty fine.

[bladelord]

Very Good recomendation.

[Doveman]

me too

[Damp Cuttlefish]

(person1) ooh look, a duck, here ducky ducky (person2) Thats no duck, its a ROBODUCK (person1) ?????? (person2) RUNNNNNNN!!!!!

[kcls]

I really think this needs a video! Great idea, anyway.

[courtney]

there is  a short clip of the first duck on my flickr.
link is on the last step page.
should post more, with both ducks thanks


http://www.flickr.com/photos/evilsigntist/2466033639/

[kcls]

Cool! Thanks.

[frikkie]

Does anybody in this world know where I can get radio control schematics WITHOUT USING pic ics?!! I want to build my own radio control toys and want to learn in the process.All I get is pic circuits or kits. :(

[cdousley]

buy a kit and copy it

[J-Five]

This project really quacks me up!!

Sorry I couldn't resist.

[saigancat]

That joke was fowl.

[wsanriv]

So diabolic and so cool, maybe with a small audio record of the female "quack". Muajjajaja we could take over the pound. Nice work Dude

[pinguino117]

i have the same r/c sub...but i dismantled it  :(

[nickademuss]

Cool, you could make them motion tracking and seek out a duck and self destruct.... Oh wait the duck might not like that, lol

[R4Man18]

See if you were using an rc car it would be 4chan duckroll!!

[balisticjoe]

This is begging to have a wireless "magic trick" flametrower put on it. Um to scare the ducks at your will. Maybe an annoying friend in you pool.

[darkmuskrat]

Its not a Paradox Its a Pair-o-Ducks :P this is awesome :D

[ItsTheHobbs]

Lol! thats funny too!

[FreshPineSent]

.

[imkwl12345]

lmao

[courtney]

wholey quack! this decoy blows mine away...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcF565btVxE

[ItsTheHobbs]

Lol!

[nak]

Nice!! I used to work at radioshack and those RC subs would get returned all the time. It was nearly a 100% return rate, you won't try and return them with the ducks on will you? That would be funny.

[courtney]

yeah they seem to be pretty cheaply made, and the range is pretty short, but they're only $20.

[Benwa]

Tried to find the jet ski for the duk-cam instructable, but got frustrated and went to RS and got the sub. I might hack it up and do something similar to the duck cam. Everything at the toy stores was overpriced and not what I wanted. BTW, Am I the only one who goes to a toy store and walks out with the urge to get a vasectomy? Man, there is nothing more annoying than children in a toy store. All the children lose their damn minds and all the parents are angry and holding back the urge to whack the kid upside the head. They should put pamphlets on birth control in your bag along with your receipt. How do you breeders do it! Maybe its the area I live in. I generally like kids but that was ridiculous. Anyway, the range on my sub seems a little short, maybe 20 feet at best. Tested by turning it on and remote on and just walked away with sub (when both are on the props always spin. Is it better on the water? Maybe I can figure a way to increase antenna length. Have a basic knowledge of radio only. Know antenna length ideally will correspond with wavelength. Any nerd help will be appreciated. Currently fighting the urge to open the sub in case I have to return it. Its hard, there is nothing better than cracking open a case and hearing the sweet sound of a voided warranty. Can't help it, I am a slave to my curiosity. Who am I kidding, that thing is going to be dismantled as soon as it dries from its trip in the bathtub.

[mweston]

paradox... pair-o-ducks... hmmm