Don't know if you've got the 4 or 6 channel version, but you're right, there's nothing wrong with a basic radio, and for beginners, as has been mentioned, the K.I.S.S. principle has value. I've commented on the 4 versus 6,7, or 9 channel radio for beginners topic many times. Rather than rewriting it, here's my most recent post: http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=3209898