RE: what was your first radio system?
An MRC single channel with a superregen receiver and escapement. It says it was built by Futaba in fine print. It is in a small turquoise colored box with the single button on the front. Blip once for right rudder and twice quick for left. I put it in a Skylark Jr and little did I know that it had zero chance to fly....a low winger and hand launch. Crashed first flight. I finally got it going with a Minnie Mambo.
Second was a Citzenship Galloping Ghost that actually worked pretty well. I eventually moved this radio into the Minnie Mambo.
My uncle was a Royal dealer and he sold me one in early 70's. I took it back to him endlessly for repairs.
My first decent radio was a Kraft Series 74. Bought it myself for a graduation present from college...Florida Tech.
I still have the Futaba and Kraft and many others.....
belair bob