Hi;
You have received lots of suggestions for radios. I fortunately have
never had a problem buying used. If an ic751a is out there its a great
easy to use radio. I often think that some of the newer radios get
complicated for the mere sake of complication.
Also either of the ts570 would be my second choice and if you get such a
deal the ts480 is a nice radio. The buttons are rather small which may
or may not make a difference and the speaker is a disaster.
Although handiham is a wonderful resource I would suggest getting
involved with a local radio club and their classes as early as possible.
After you pass the dreaded test you may want to inlist some help with
antennas so the sooner you get to know people the better.
The other radio I like is the ic706. No the receive isn't equal to the
ts2000 but it gives you lots of radio in one box.
Think about what type of antenna system you might have room for. Do you
want to spend $2,000 for a radio with a nothing antenna? Just my two
cents.
--
richard