I have been flying fixed wings for more years than I want to think about but recently I began to look at helis. Because we fly at altitude (7000 MSL) I think a 30 size would be too small. Is there a 60 or so sized training machine out there? Also what is the difference between a heli xmtr and the aircraft model?

Assuming a 60 size machine would work better at high altitude (I assume it would, lower disc loading) there really is no such thing as a trainer helicopter. All helicopters can be trainers. It's all in the setup. True, there are some that wouldn't make good trainers but that's only because they're much more expensive than others and would be more expensive to repair when you crash. A Raptor 60 should be a good choice as far as costs. Understand that a 60 size machine is going to cost at least twice as much in initial purchase price and fuel costs over a 30 size machine.

Radios? A heli TX is a programmable radio which is necessary for all the mixing functions that go on in a heli. Any modern computer radio will have programming for airplanes as well as heli's. When you buy a computer radio, you buy it as an airplane radio or a heli radio. Programming wise they're the same. The difference is in the position of certain switches, the type and number of servos and in the detent used on the throttle stick. Heli radios have a smoother throttle stick action, no steps like an airplane radio.