RE: Radio brand
The long and the short of it all is all the manufactures make very good radios now.
The best thing to do is to talk to your flying Friends and see what they use.
I think the most common radio manufacture used is Futaba, but there as good as them all.
I use mostly Futaba but also have a Hitec and JR radios as well. I have not had a problem with any of them.
Good Luck!!!!