[nomads]

I went back a long way in this forum and couldn't find this topic, but if it has been covered please let me know.

I have a Futaba 7CAP transmitter and up to this point have been using standard servos and PPM receivers.

I intend to buy a couple of new receivers and more servos shortly and was wondering whether I should start to buy PCM. (I've already decided to go digital on the servos from now on).

I did a google search on the merits of PCM vs PPM and after reading a few artices (such as [url http://www.jcrc.com/News/Articles/Article-PPMvsPCM.htm ] ) I'm just not sure what to get.

I understand that PCM receivers may prevent some glitches and that there is a "fail safe" mode, but there also appears to be some questions about PCM's advantages (at least in the referenced article).

My question is, economics aside, what do people on this forum think, PCM or PPM?

Thanks, Bill

[Flypaper]

In my opinion I don't think it's worth the difference. I have a PCM rcvr somewhere that I never used, came with a radio. With proper precaution that you need with both radios,PPM is fine. I have half a dozen quarter scalers I've never had glitches with. With failsafe on PCM Throttle to idle is fine. If you put the controls at a predetermined position or lock where they are and it goes into failsafe, it's going to crash either way. Just my take on it.

[Ken Currell]

Hi

I have seen PPM radios crash due to interference at our field but not PCM. That's not to say PCM won't crash too, but they have better rejection of interference in the first place.

When I go float flying I will only use PCM or IPD receivers with fail safe settings that I can program. There are too many boaters around to risk losing control of my plane. I would rather program the throttle to idle and the sticks to put it in a flat spin.

I am gradually changing to IPD.

IPD is a step up from PCM as it has its own processor on board to reject signals that don't fit within the proper wavelengths for the receiver.

Cheers