RE: radio modes
Mode 2 is predominant in the US. I know that you can change the Futaba computer radios from mode 2 to 1, but not sure of the other brands. If you do change the mode, you also have to swap the two stick gimbals so that the right side stick that used to be elevator, but is now throttle, has the ratchet action that airplane flyers use. Not necessary for heli pilots.
Jesse