passed my tech exam

[hilltop 439]

I took my technicians exam today and passed it got 100% correct .
The next step is finding a decent radio to start on . I am looking for a dual band rig something that covers 2 meter and 70cen.i would like to play around with satilite and packet . My price range is around 300 dollars give or take a little.
Does anyone have any suggestions on what the best deal is considering performance,capabilities and affordability.

[AR 228]

good job man im happy for you have fun

[yankee]

I've got a yaesu ft-7800 that I am pleased with. It will do packet and satellite and I think I gave 220 used for it. Good little radio with 50 watts and alot of features. A new ones around 300 its been upgraded to 7900r but I dont know whats changed.

[linx]

Congrats....I didn't find much use in 70cm but 2m is nice.

I, like yankee, had a Yaesu 7800R, but I sold it after sending it back the 3rd time to Yaesu to have it repaired. They were good about fixing it, and it was an awesome radio, but paying for shipping at $20, x 3 times just about killed my investment. It didn't deter me however as I'm interested in the new 7900R.

[Joker-Dave]

Congrats on passing and a 100%! What did you use to study? I was thinking about getting my ticket too but I don't even know where to start. I don't know any operators locally and unfortunately most of them I have met in the past have looked down on lowly CB operators that don't follow the rules...

[hilltop 439]

Well first i wont to say thank you.
What you should do is go to the ARRL website and find a amateur radio club in your area . There you will find the names and numbers of the VEs in the club.
They will give you the dates,times and locations of the exam. They also will be able to tell you if there are any classes to take if you choose that route.
What i did was went to the library and got a Ham radio study guide the name of it was NOW YOU'RE TALKING! or you can buy one off the internet for 20 dollars or so. I also used the internet to study the websites are QRZ.com and [Please login or register to view this link] . Just memorize all 396 questions in the question pool i found it easier to read the book first to have a better understanding of the questions.
As far as those Hams that look down on Cbers they probably deep down inside wont to fire up the old Cobra 2000 thats hidden in the closet and cut it lose for some good old fashion CB DXing .They are just to proud to edmit it. I bet the majority of Hams all started out as Cbers .
Anyway good luck on your seach and hope you are successful in getting your ticket to.