BC,

I have been flying my LT-40 solo since June and am planning on building a 4* 60 over the winter. The LT-40 is definately a GREAT trainer.

Anyway, I thought I'd post my thoughts on cheap, since you mentioned buying a combo.

I have found that every time I bought something cheap or low end I have quickly outgrown it. A $200 radio is not cheaper than a $500 radio if you have to go buy the $500 job in a year or two (because you are hooked on the hobby and have to have it).

So, I would try to gage how wildly interested you are in the hobby before making any buy choices.

In my case, after a few weeks flying my trainer I was pretty sure I was hooked for life.

If you're on the fence that changes things.

In my case, it is much easier to justify to my wife that I need the "good" radio rather than having to explain that I need ANOTHER radio. :-)

GB