Tez if you are debating on wether to take the plunge into ham radio.I would have to say go for it !! And go for at least the general class ticket,that way when you can afford the HF gear you will have the ticket already in hand.You will get a good chunk of all the bands in the HF range as well as the vhf and uhf bands.
There is so much to get into in ham radio.For example not to long ago I was in my truck at work and heard the international space station on 2 meter.... (145.800) simplex loud and clear,I was to surprised to give the iss a call to see if I could make the trip back,but I did hear them/him.
I am also a storm spotter with my local group,this is always interesting and provides an important service to the local area. Here is a link to the skywarn group that I work with MoKan Skywarn MoKan Skywarn of SW Missouri and SE Kansas we have a media player linked with our reapeater so anyone that visits the site can see what we are up to at any time (as long as the link is active of course,and it usually is)
Cant leave out the everyday chatting and running the various bands chasing that rare DX,the nets local and the ones around the world for the HF bands.
VHF gear is fairly inexpencive,and will get your foot in the door.Usually can get a radio and mobil antenna for around 200$ new,or if you decide to set up in your home, you can make an antenna for almost nothing and just buy the radio.I built a 2 meter j pole for under 20$ that works great for the local area repeaters and have 125$ in an icom 2200 h 2 meter radio that I picked up used in the local area,the antenna pole that I have is something that I picked up at work for no cost to me other than a bit of time to get it put together and stood up with the jpole on the top
Hope that helps you out a bit and good luck on the test should you decide to go for your ham ticket
