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I second the suggestion of getting an all band HF rig if you can. The cost of a new 10 meter only radio, is getting really close to the price of a good used, multi-band HF rig.
If there is a ham club nearby, I would suggest talking to some of the guys there and asking for advice from them. If you are interested in a mobile, used radios, like the ICOM 706MKIIG (last of that model) can be found for around $600 or so. And it covers 160-6meters and 2 meters & 440. Its a shack in a box, and a very tough radio. I use one in my pickup along with a Tarheel 100a HP (screwdriver antenna) and have had a blast with it. Works well and is very reliable. Lots of choices out there. The toughest decision is new or used. Buying new may cost more, but, you have a warranty. Buying used, you take a chance and have to trust the seller is telling you everything they know about a radio. The majority are honest and that is a good thing. But, even then, you can get a radio that has problems that the previous owner had no idea about.
As for antennas, a home-built dipole is all you need. A single support (pole or tree) and you can have a multi-band antenna up in no time with very little cost. Then, as you get comfortable with what you have, you can decide on what direction you wish to go and upgrade antennas, radios and other accessories. Amateur radio is fun and ADDICTIVE.
trucker

<blockquote data-quote="trucker" data-source="post: 345744" data-attributes="member: 12444">I second the suggestion of getting an all band HF rig if you can. The cost of a new 10 meter only radio, is getting really close to the price of a good used, multi-band HF rig.If there is a ham club nearby, I would suggest talking to some of the guys there and asking for advice from them. If you are interested in a mobile, used radios, like the ICOM 706MKIIG (last of that model) can be found for around $600 or so. And it covers 160-6meters and 2 meters &amp; 440. Its a shack in a box, and a very tough radio. I use one in my pickup along with a Tarheel 100a HP (screwdriver antenna) and have had a blast with it. Works well and is very reliable. Lots of choices out there. The toughest decision is new or used. Buying new may cost more, but, you have a warranty. Buying used, you take a chance and have to trust the seller is telling you everything they know about a radio. The majority are honest and that is a good thing. But, even then, you can get a radio that has problems that the previous owner had no idea about.&nbsp;As for antennas, a home-built dipole is all you need. A single support (pole or tree) and you can have a multi-band antenna up in no time with very little cost. Then, as you get comfortable with what you have, you can decide on what direction you wish to go and upgrade antennas, radios and other accessories. Amateur radio is fun and ADDICTIVE.trucker</blockquote>

[QUOTE="trucker, post: 345744, member: 12444"] I second the suggestion of getting an all band HF rig if you can. The cost of a new 10 meter only radio, is getting really close to the price of a good used, multi-band HF rig. If there is a ham club nearby, I would suggest talking to some of the guys there and asking for advice from them. If you are interested in a mobile, used radios, like the ICOM 706MKIIG (last of that model) can be found for around $600 or so. And it covers 160-6meters and 2 meters & 440. Its a shack in a box, and a very tough radio. I use one in my pickup along with a Tarheel 100a HP (screwdriver antenna) and have had a blast with it. Works well and is very reliable. Lots of choices out there. The toughest decision is new or used. Buying new may cost more, but, you have a warranty. Buying used, you take a chance and have to trust the seller is telling you everything they know about a radio. The majority are honest and that is a good thing. But, even then, you can get a radio that has problems that the previous owner had no idea about. As for antennas, a home-built dipole is all you need. A single support (pole or tree) and you can have a multi-band antenna up in no time with very little cost. Then, as you get comfortable with what you have, you can decide on what direction you wish to go and upgrade antennas, radios and other accessories. Amateur radio is fun and ADDICTIVE. trucker [/QUOTE]

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