One of the most common comments about choosing a radio is to check with the local club and get whatever is the most common. This helps to ensure that there will be a radio available for use as a buddy box. To me this is rather assuming advice. Other club members should not be expected to furnish their radios to be used as a buddy box. If the club has a buddy box, then the new member should consider buying a radio to match.

A good radio is going to cost the beginner $150 and up. The whole rig is going to cost #350 or more. He should also be willing to invest in a buddy box. After all, it is for his benefit alone. He could probably pick up a used buddy box or transmitter for about $25. I bought two (2), a Futaba and an Airtronics, for $25 new and $20 used respectively. When I got ready to fly, I had the buddy box and did not have to ask a fellow club member is I could use his radio. A buddy box is very cheap insurance and is well worth the money. When training is complete, there will always be someone new coming in who would be willing to buy it.