Jeff,
Since this is an ESC and not a servo, is it just the fact the ESC won't arm for you? If that is the case, you might want to reset the ESC range. On most ESC's the Futaba range is actually reversed (common on Boat, Car, and Airplane ESC's), then also the way to set the range is to hold full throttle when you plug in the battery, then wait for a few beeps for initialization and then release the throttle and wait for a few more beeps. Once that is done, it should save your throttle range and remember it for you.
Not sure if this is what is happening, but good luck,
Curtis