wow maybe i am getting way ahead of myself instead of focusing on flying but... but can anyone take a minute and give me a quick lesson in pcm? ppm? and S+Z selectable.. what is all this squash anyway? i been flying for some time now with no worries now i see and hear all this computer lingo like pcm ppm s-z selectable... man what does this all amount to...do they not make anything understandable anymore? thanks

Let's start with what brand of equipment you have. It has a tiny bit to do with the answer. The S & Z part being particular to JR for instance.

This answer came in the form of a private message. I elected to deal with it here as there are higher powers that can better explain this in simple and more technical terms. Basically, "S" pcm is 1024 resolution, "Z" is the older version and is 512. These two terms are as I said specific to JR.
PPM is known as FM (Frequency Modulation) and operates much like any FM signal. PCM handles instructions to the receiver in a much different way but to the average joe, basically does the same thing, that is, moving the control surfaces. I'm sure the gurus will chime in with all of the proper terminology. Bottom line is, FM works, PCM works, match the transmitter modulation to the receiver and go fly. As you become more selective and move to different levels in this hobby, it may become important to you to use PCM let's say in your large scale aircraft. Keep asking questions until it makes sense to you_bob

so let me see if i am starting to understand now lol lol jr 8103 comes in two different packages? the first is the fm/pcm and the second is pcm... please correct me if i am wrong pcm refers to only the reciever end of the system now i have the xp8103 fm/pcm which means i can either use a fm reciever or a pcm reciever and my radio is capable of both?the only difference is a pcm reciever yields a bigger price tag? on the module on my 8103 it says pcm with fm modulation.. i do have a fm reciever now but can use a pcm reciever if need be? thank you

in my radio manual it says the software for pcm option is alread instally along with fm now if i wanted to go pcm its just a matter of purchasing a pcm reciever???? thank you

JR has a factory rep on line. Would you have any problem copying this info there? If you want I can move the post, but it might be quicker if you can do it. Go to the subforum in the Radios and Receiver forum.