Do not buy equipment until you have had a chat with the club.  We can advise newcomers on the most suitable equipment and this will often save you money.  We insist on good quality equipment in first class order as we fly in a public park.  However this does not mean only expensive equipment is suitable.  For example a Futaba Skysport 35 mhz radio is often used by members but older equipment or secondhand radios with unknown histories would not be acceptable.