PCM vs FM radios

[bufferoo]

Quick question. I have a nice Futaba PCM radio and I know that PCM is just a "jazzed up" version of FM. I know the technicaliteis here so no need to go into them now. What I am unsure of is can I use a PCM Tx with a FM Rx?

Thanks.

Bufferoo

[Watercadet]

This is a little out of my league but...PCM has an even better signal than FM as FM is more modulated than AM. Also a PCM system has a failsafe feature. That said, I believe that you can use a FM RX and forfit the failsafe feature. OK guys back me up or prove me wrong.
Adam

[Hydro Junkie]

Hate to say it Watercadet, but you have AM and FM totally wrong. AM varies the signal's amplitude or height, while FM varies the signal's frequency around the base frequency of the channel. A PCM radio varies it's signals similarly to an FM unit, except it sends the control inputs as a series of pulses.
Now to Bufferoo's question. As far as I know, a PCM transmitter can only be used with an FM non PCM receiver if the transmitter has multiple mode capability. If your transmitter can be switched between FM and FMPCM it will work. If your transmitter is locked in PCM mode, I don't think so. I would check with Futaba's website, www.futaba.com. If the answer isn't there, they have a tech support link so you can ask directly. Just be sure to tell them which transmitter and receiver you have. If worse comes to worse, you can always buy a new receiver.

[Watercadet]

Ahh right about the switching feature on the TX. As for the signal output I knew that they were different but didn't know how... so there you go
Adam

[Hydro Junkie]

Not everybody has had training in radio communications like I had when I was in the Navy. To me, VLF, LF, HF, VHF and UHF are all the same. It's how the transmitter modulates them that make things different. It's very rare to see anything in the LF and VLF ranges, so most people don't even know they exist. I'm just wondering if I answered Bufferoo's question?