NO, you are not alone. many years ago a new flyer asked me for help, and handed me his tx. I did not even thing about the pin, I guess I thought he would get the pin!!! Turned it on and shoot down a plane. I paid for the plane , it was my fault..........
Ya, I'm going 2.4. I have the JR 9303 and three recievers already. I still plan to us me 72 band for awhile, before complete switch.
I guess I don't see the 2.4 as that expensive. when I started flying a good low end computer radio was around $250 and most had three, thats $750.
I got the jr for $650 with three RX's, didn't not think that was too bad.
But I need some new equip anyway.