I have a JR 10x transmitter, which came with the JR R1000DS (dual conversion) PCM receiver.

I lost a beautiful patternship that I built from scratch, approximately 3 years ago, when it went into failsafe, just as it came into land. Of course, after the crash, everything worked. Didn't even break a prop, but totally killed the 'plane, after only 15 flights.

So I have been flying an Aresti III, with a Hitec receiver. A few of the local "pattern boys" suggested that I should go back to a PCM receiver.
After some further discussion on their part, we asertained, that when I had crashed 3 years ago, I was using a crystal that was a NON genuine JR crystal, as at that time in Australia, the particular channel I wanted, wasn't available, and that some crystals had been cut locally. The crystal in question, definitely DIDN'T have the usual JR "printed info" on the side of the crystal, but was stamped on the side of the case. I have a different channel, which I know for sure is a genuine JR, as it does have the printed info on the crystal.
Another reason put down to cause the crash, was I had the receiver antenna inside the fuselage. Now, remember, this is an ALL WOOD plane, with NO carbon fibre, with the elevator servo wires as far as possible from the Rx antenna.

Step forward to 2 months ago. Armed with the info about the no genuine/versus genuine JR crystal, I put the R1000DS, complete with the GENUINE JR crystal, on frequency 36.390, (which is what I fly EVERYTHING I have on) into my trainer. ALL my other plane's have Hitec PPM receivers. I flew it to for probably 30 flights no problems, no hint of a shut down.

Step forward to last week. I finally finished another beautiful all wood patternship. I did the JR range test, I was able to get over 85 paces from the plane, as per what is on JR's site on pcm range testing.

And just for added insurance, I had the Rx antenna OUTSIDE the plane.
I put the R1000DS, with it's genuine crystal, and off I went.

All went well.

For nine flights.

Then today, without warning, into failsafe. Of course totally destroying the plane, and as the ground is so hard (nearly summer here) even though the engine was at idle, broke the crank, bent the hatori header, destroyed the pipe (ALL NEW!!!), crumpled the intake manifold, bent the wing tube, and basically destroyed everything forward of the trailing edge of the wing. Strangely, just to add insult, one wing is almost untouched, just enough to make you think twice before jumping on it and hurling it into the dumpster.

AND of course, plug it all back together, everything works.

So why use PCM? I know I will send the receiver back, and will then be politley told there is nothing wrong with it.
Somebody is sure to say, batteries, or switch harness, but all good quality, and all test out ok.

The only thing to fix is to put a 10 pound sledge hammer through the RX. BUT I have 2 649s single conversion PCM's? Do I dare trust them?

Needless to say, it's put a very bad feeling about building another patternship. It's just about taken everything out that I have left for pattern, and certainly will take a long time to get over, let alone save up to buy the bits necessary.

So all you experienced guys, convince me why I should EVER use a JR PCM receiver again. And WHAT to do with my649s rx's (my feeling is, use the SLEDGE HAMMER).

Thoughts appreciated, but keep it practical please.