Capn Pete, I exactelly recognize what you say, I have been there myself

When reading forums some people make quite complicated explanations on a simple question hard to understand for us Noobs.
I am really not an expert but will try to make it simple without involve a lot of "protocol talk"
The main thing is that the transmitter (TX =remote control) need to "speak" with the reciver (RX ) in the helicopter or plane. I have discovered that most of the different brands of TX and RX seem to have their own protocolls (languages) like if I would be the TX speaking Swedish to you as the RX, then you would probably not understand anything

This means that you have to have the same brand of TX and RX. There are some exceptions but I do not have 100% knowledge of those.
If we talk WLTOYS they seem to speak Chineese. Nobady exept themself understand. You can use the same transmitter (TX) for V911, 912, 913, but V977 speak another kind of Chinesee, totally insane for me but that is how it works. Also WLTOYS use their own made RX boards (flight controller) including everything RX, ESC, GYRO etc. Very non flexiable!
But I also like to fly them
So, In my case I decided to go for the DX6i transmitter since that is what I think is most flexiable. You can find many receivers compatible with this transmitter, Spectrums own brand and the more cheap Orange brand (i.g. at Hobby King)
Altough I have some other TX brands as well that came with my second hand boughts but they are not compoatible with my Spectrum recivers.
I have spent a lot of time reading forums, looking at YOUTUBE, scratching my head to get to understand this. My real aahaa feeling came when I built my first helicopter from scratch and had to make my first setup in the transmitter but it has taken me a couple of months to discover and understand.
The best is if you can get help from someone with the knowledge that can sit down with you and explain.
Altough, a simple sample is my first plane (second hand bought and old) I received this Monday. The first thing I did was to take a way the receiver inside and add a Spectrum receiver (had a spare) so I could use my Spectrum DX6i transmitter to test the functions of servos, ESC and motor. This now took me about 20 min total including TX setup but it is many hours "behind" this reading and try to understand.
You can also find some quite nice good explaining videos on youtube regarding RC electronic setups. I recommed that you look at them.
Writing above get me to understand that it is not so simple to explain this simple (especially in English) but I hope it is understandable and help you a bit on the way to understand. It is not rocket sience so just give it some time.
You are always welcome to "challange" me and remember, I have been there myself!
No question is a stupid question!!
/Q