On Tue, 30 Nov 2004 17:11:27 +0000 (UTC), "Simon Smith"
wrote:

What in the opinion of the
newsgroup would be a wise choice for a complete Novice ?

Hi John,

I know the TS-50 (Kenwood) and it is a good, small rig. Try to get
the companion power supply from Germany (sorry, don't know the product
name) which is a switching power supply (equally as small, but
suitable and a lot lighter than big linear supplies).

I realise the learning will continue AFTER I get the pass certificate

The downside with this, or any other "small" rig is that you will
indeed be continuing to learn. This is because there's not enough
buttons and knobs to go with all the functionality and you have to
learn how to navigate their software menus (not always intuitive) and
cryptic displays.

There are two roads that this offers. For someone who doesn't want to
fiddle with knobs and such, you can figure out the menus, set your
options, and simply talk on the rig for ever after. For someone who
does want to tune, tweak, and adjust - you really need something
bigger; and if that means outside of your budget, it then suggests
older.

Another point to consider, if you stay with this hobby long enough,
you will eventually get at least two of everything. So don't approach
a decision thinking you won't be facing that choice again. As such,
buy something affordable that leaves you enough money from your budget
to buy the other things that go with it - mike, key, speaker, antenna
tuner, power meter, and certainly enough transmission line, wire, then
insulators, some rope and pulleys and so on. Oddly enough, most of
these secondary items will be with you longer than your rig. Older
transistorized rigs that still work, will undoubtedly work for as long
as you own them and pass them on.

If you want to bury your hands in the guts, try tube sets. They are
bigger yet, and don't mind your first time mistakes on fixing things.
Plus all the voltages are much higher, and touching the wrong lead
lends a sort of zest to this past time. Cheaper than gambling and you
get the thrills of javelin catching without needing to get out of your
house.

73's
Richard Clark, KB7QHC