I got into this hobby around 15 years ago, and quickly got back out when I had to sell everything to pay bills.

I've recently tried to get back into it, and I have a complete setup, but either there's something wrong with my radio or I simply can't figure it out.

I purchased a used Futaba FP-T8SGA-P radio that's extreme overkill for my needs and WAY over my head. The motherboard of my computer isn't as complex as this thing. I've never seen so many buttons, switches and controls!

Anyway, on the other end, I have a GWS GWR-4N receiver.

None of the radio controls will affect the plane in any way. I know at least that the radio transmits, because as soon as I turn it on, the servo chatter stops completely.

I've tried switching ever switch and turning every dial on the transmitter and I can't get it to do a thing. It has a full charge.

Does anyone have ANY idea whether this is a bad radio or simply user error based on this description?

I've soaked several hundred dollars into this already and if I can't get it off the ground, my wife will PERMANENTLY ground me and never let me buy anything else for the rest of our natural lives!!!

Any help or advice is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Dave

Futaba uses a negative shift for their RX as does Hitec. Check and see if that could be your problem. Check to see if the Xtals are compatible. Same channel, one listed for RX and the other for the Xmitter. If you can find another Futaba RX on your channel try that and see if it works. If it does you may have to get a Hitec RX for a Futaba J. That's just the quick checks. If you still have a problem see if your local hobby shop proprietor knows anything. Read the programming instructions again from cover to cover. You may have overlooked something.

Check that your PCM capable TX is in PPM mode not PCM mode for use with the GWS micro (nonPCM) RX. typically the PCM signal encoding will make the servos jitter, but not respond to stick movement when you make this error.

If the Futaba TX turns out to be a problem, since it should stil be under warrantee (and sometimes well after warrantee... Futaba is good that way) send it in and it will be fixed. If its just an error of having bought the JR compatible GWS RX instead of the Futaba compatible... the hobby shop will usually swap with no problems.

This PPM vs PCM thing may be it. I can't for the life of me find anything to change the mode, either on the radio itself, or the manual, so it may be PCM only and not be able to switch to PPM.

The receiver is the one for Futaba/Hitec, but if it's the PCM vs PPM issue, that won't matter.

I'll keep trying to figure out if there's a way to turn the PCM off.

Thanks!