One thing to consider when looking at the cheap direct imports from China. You could invest in that radio today and a bunch of receivers, a year or so from now you may find you can no longer get compatible receivers for the transmitter, or the tranny could go belly up and you may not be able to get another that is compatible with the receivers you have already paid for. Investing in a name brand radio, brought into the country by an established distributor, like Horizon of Hobbico is a much safer bet in the long run.
Just my 2 cents, adjusted for inflation
Pete