I just received my Redcat Volcano EPX in the mail. This is my first hobby grade RC. I unpacked everything and I'm not sure where I should start. The instructions are especially lacking for a first time user like myself. Am I correct in my assumption that all I need to do is charge the battery and is stuff the antenna wire into the antenna pipe?

Using the stock charger, how do I know when a battery is fully charged? I have the stock 1800 NiCd and a 3600 Nimh. Should I run the batteries all the way down before recharging? Should the batteries be stored fully charged or depleted?

The antenna wire is longer than the antenna pipe. Should I cut off the excess wire so that I can put the pipe into the receptor?

What are the eight extra c-shaped black clips that came with the volcano for? The best guess that I have is that I am supposed to use them to tighten the shocks. Is this correct?

What extra parts should I have on hand? What upgrades do you think I should look into first?

Thank you!