What radio to start out with?
Like Cap232CM said, for compatibility issues, keep it in the "mainstream," but by all means, keep it cheap. I would suggest maybe a 6 channel airtronics vanguard (if they even still make it) or something similar. Even though you won't use all the channels right now, you may want to in the future. A little extra now will save you from getting a whole new radio later when you need those extra channels.