Yet another dumb question. What is the diff between an AM radio compared to a FM radio. I just bought a 4 channel futaba AM radio off of ebay, i already have a plane and radio im just lookin into the future. Did i make a mistake? I didn't pay but $35.00 with shipping and everything and that is the whole radio system. Any input would be helpful.

Aside from the fact that no one wants AM radios, it should be fine.

Seriously, I've heard stories of slightly less reception with an AM, but they're still being made. You will probably have more trouble buying additional receivers for it, so I'd suggest bupgrading to a decent FM set before you invest too much in AM.
Dennis-

The first question is exactly what model is it? Some of the older Futaba AM units are in fact obsolete wide band radios and no longer legal to use. If it is an older unit, Perhaps a Conquest AM the first thing I would check is if there is a small gold colored (not silver) sticker anywhere on the radio with markings RCMA and a date.

I always recommend to new folks that untill they know exactly what they are buying the places like Ebay are to be avoided at all costs. If this radio does turn out to be a narrow band or narrow banded unit then the other question is battery condition. Both Tx and Rx battery could be very questionable. This could cost more than you paid for the whole set. Really as inexpensive as basic four channel starter sets are now somewhere around 110 to 130, I can only reccomend new sets for folks starting out. Buying used later is fine when you will possess more Radio Street Smarts.

John

AM stands for Amplitude Modulation. FM stands for Frequency Modulation. Generally, there is less inteference on FM than AM. As proof, listen to your radio in your car. Tune an AM station and listen to the static, especially distant stations. Then listen to an FM station. Much less, if no inteference, especially when there is a storm in the vicinity. As the receiver gets further away from the transmitter, the signal begins to get more static and would be more subject to inteference than a similar FM radio. That's mainly why people have gone to FM over AM. That may be the case with the radio you bought. Someone out there upgraded to FM and wanted to get rid of his/her old AM set. You were the 'lucky' one.

Well.............anybody want to buy a radio? This item was claimed to be new in box(never used). I havent got it in yet. What about the servos and batteries will i be able to salvage them? If not i will put it back on ebay and someone else can be the "lucky one". btw the model is FP-T4NL AM (futaba conquest). If yall would like to look it up on ebay and give me more info the item number is 5976390478. thanks for the advice yall. and keep it comming.