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Join a local club is my best advice. Meet locals, get to know them and learn about the equipment.

Until you learn a bit about the rigs, you have a high potential to buy something that is junk. Buying things you can't put your hands on is a pretty big risk too, so don't stake precious funds on an unknown...only gamble with money you won't miss.

For new, something like an FT-857D is a good bet. The reason I say this is because it will work 2m/440/HF/6m and give you a taste of it all. Once you know more specifics about what types of operation you like, you can buy something more specialized and simply move the 857 into your mobile. Also it's a very popular rig and you can sell it used and only lose maybe $100 on the deal at most. It's a great first rig.

The FT-60 HT from Yaesu as well is another I recommend. Built like a brick, dual-band and has great battery life. Simpler controls to get going with programming and also makes a halfway decent portable scanner too.

The FT-7800 mobile is yet another, my favorite plain dual band radio and great bang for the buck value.

<blockquote data-quote="SR385" data-source="post: 141574" data-attributes="member: 3106">Join a local club is my best advice.&nbsp; Meet locals, get to know them and learn about the equipment.Until you learn a bit about the rigs, you have a high potential to buy something that is junk.&nbsp; Buying things you can&#039;t put your hands on is a pretty big risk too, so don&#039;t stake precious funds on an unknown...only gamble with money you won&#039;t miss.For new, something like an FT-857D is a good bet.&nbsp; The reason I say this is because it will work 2m/440/HF/6m and give you a taste of it all.&nbsp; Once you know more specifics about what types of operation you like, you can buy something more specialized and simply move the 857 into your mobile.&nbsp;&nbsp; Also it&#039;s a very popular rig and you can sell it used and only lose maybe $100 on the deal at most.&nbsp; It&#039;s a great first rig.The FT-60 HT from Yaesu as well is another I recommend.&nbsp; Built like a brick, dual-band and has great battery life.&nbsp; Simpler controls to get going with programming and also makes a halfway decent portable scanner too.The FT-7800 mobile is yet another, my favorite plain dual band radio and great bang for the buck value.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="SR385, post: 141574, member: 3106"] Join a local club is my best advice. Meet locals, get to know them and learn about the equipment. Until you learn a bit about the rigs, you have a high potential to buy something that is junk. Buying things you can't put your hands on is a pretty big risk too, so don't stake precious funds on an unknown...only gamble with money you won't miss. For new, something like an FT-857D is a good bet. The reason I say this is because it will work 2m/440/HF/6m and give you a taste of it all. Once you know more specifics about what types of operation you like, you can buy something more specialized and simply move the 857 into your mobile. Also it's a very popular rig and you can sell it used and only lose maybe $100 on the deal at most. It's a great first rig. The FT-60 HT from Yaesu as well is another I recommend. Built like a brick, dual-band and has great battery life. Simpler controls to get going with programming and also makes a halfway decent portable scanner too. The FT-7800 mobile is yet another, my favorite plain dual band radio and great bang for the buck value. [/QUOTE]

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