Have a Avistar, loved it, crashed it, repaired it...
About radio gear, I would suggesst a computer radio (I'm not saying the brand because I don't want to start a JR vs. Futaba thing). I got the Avistar RTF and then a Ultra Stick 60 then a Tribute and then I bought a Futaba 7CAF and now I have 2 radios one complete with Tx, Rx, and servos just sitting around. Get my drift?
Hope this Helps,
IBrakeForNobody
PS: Go for a Futaba