sandal,

I don't know about the Hitec, but the 6XH is too limited IMO. It doesn't have 5 point throttle and pitch curves, which I consider a minimum requirement. I would recommend the JR X378 or the 9C Futaba (that's unless the Hitec has "enough" features).

You don't need alot of specialty tools to get started, but a pitch guage, balancer, and ball link pliers would be the tools to get first.

The link between throttle and pitch is fairly simple in theory, but takes some work to get setup. I usually tell people to think of the throttle stick as actually controlling the collective pitch and the transmitter mixes in throttle control according to your throttle curve.

Example:

Let's say you want to hover at the half-stick position (used to be recommended to beginners, but I think learning at 3/4 stick is better). Set all your linkages for cyclic and pitch servos at 90 degrees to the servo arm (with the throttle stick at exactly center) and adjust the pitch links so that you have between 5 and 6 degrees positive pitch in the main blades. In your pitch curve you should be at 50% at center stick. Then move the throttle stick to full up (this will put you at 100% in the pich curve) and check the amount of positive pitch in the main blades. Lower the % value for this position until you have about 9 degrees of positive pitch. Now move the throttle stick to full down and raise the % value for this point until you have about 2 degrees negative pitch. The 1/4 stick point should be half way between full down and 1/2 stick values, and the 3/4 stick point should be half way between the full up and 1/2 stick values.

That'll give you a linear pitch curve.

The throttle curve has to be fine tuned by test flying, but you can start with 0,25,50,75,100. The object is to match the throttle position to maintain a constand headspeed throughout the pitch range.

Hope that gives you a better understanding.

Ben