My files are being "compressed" when I ftp them.

[eluser]jedd[/eluser]
[quote author="tomdelonge" date="1254272311"]
Does it have to do with my ftp client ...
[/quote]

Surely if that were possible, you'd have mentioned what client you're using ... yes?

Try sending your data in binary mode - the alternative can sometimes try to be smart with EOL markers, and possibly other things.

It's been some time since I've used FTP, though, and I'd encourage you to look at alternatives. scp (running over ssh) is the obvious candidate, and even the most cautious of people should be willing to jump onto the secure copy bandwagon now that it's been in use by everyone else for more than a decade.