Ford',
Congratulations on passing the test, and good luck
with the next one(s).
Start asking for catalogues, and looking through old
magazines at the various radios. There are a bunch
of them around, new, and used, that work just fine.
Don't 'tie your self down' to a particular make/model
till you've had a chance to look at what's available.
You may find something else that you just can't live
without.
There's nothing wrong with 'tube type' radios, but they
are a bit more difficult to use. If you don't mind the
'extra' bother of tuning a radio, there are some real
bargains out there. They may not have all the bells
and whistles the newer digital radios do, but that's not
as big a deal as you may think.
Anyway, look a whole lot before 'plunking' your money
down for your first HF radio...
- 'Doc
PS - Don't 'rule out' wire antennas! Fast, cheap, and they
work suprizingly well. 'Course, I'll swap you my wire antenna
for your beam! (then I'll make another wire antenna)LOL
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