Wheelman918, I was in the same boat, wasn't going to spend 500+ for an export radio. I ended up snagging a kenwood ts-140 for 300 it's an hf radio, Does about 120 pep on SSB, and also got an icom 746, paid a bit more for that but not much more than what the export would have been and the icom 746 had the stability crystal added, Granted mine were for base station use, but a used kenwood ts50 you can find for 4-500 or cheaper at times. The ts480 is a nice radio though and I will probably end up with one eventually, I'm done for a minute at least lol. I have also had good luck with the optima mk3 in my mobile. Paid 265 for it and also bought an icom hm36 mic at the same time. It works well for what it is! But anyway, I learned after buying several export rsdios and just not being happy. Pay now or pay later lol! Check eBay out for a used ts480 or even a ts50, don't let anyone do any tuning to them, they don't need that crap, the ts480's are unlocked on the transmit out of the box I believe, and the ts50 is a resistor or diode removal. I will say that most of the hf radios I mentioned are not Big AM talkers per say, but on SSB the hf radios shine and shine they do!! The kenwood ts480 is supposed to be pretty good on AM as well as SSB. I know it's a bit more money but I promise you won't be disappointed! JMO. God bless.