Hi, I'm trying to find a way to have an arduino send signals to an electronic speed controller using some kind of wireless conrtoller. Is there any way of doing this with just an arduino uno an minimal or very cheap add ons?
Look at the 433 MHz modules or the more sophisticated nRF24L01 modules
You can also try esp8266 for wifi control This board is not a official arduino.
better option for you arduino 101 wifi shield . you can easily control trough wifi. 
rednax717:
Hi, I'm trying to find a way to have an arduino send signals to an electronic speed controller using some kind of wireless conrtoller. Is there any way of doing this with just an arduino uno an minimal or very cheap add ons?
You will almost certainly need an Arduino at each end of the wireless link. The nRF24 modules work well and are cheap.
I got my nRF24s working with this Tutorial
I suggest you use the TMRh20 version of the RF24 library - it solves some problems from the ManiacBug version
The pair of programs in this link may be useful. They are derived from a model train control system.
...R