I get a kick out of people who recommend anything MORE than a basic 4-channel radio to start out with. To people who say "You need to start out with at least 7 or 8 channels" all I can say is, I've been flying all my life (I'm 56) and I fly everything from trainers to warbirds, to giant scale areobats, to 3D planes to electrics and I have NEVER needed more than 6 channels.

Dom, get a simulator. The season in New Jersey will be over soon, and although a sim won't teach you everything, it WILL teach you the basics. What's important to realize is that even when the season is in full swing, you'll only get 1 or 2 hours of actual flying per week, so it could learn months to learn "the basics" that a sim can teach you in a week or two.

For more info on getting started, click the "GettingAirborne" link in my signature. Ken Isaac (RCKen) and I put together a nice site for people exactly in your position.

BTW, is the Totowa club where my buddy Joe Beshar flies? If so tell him I said, "Hi"