The mobile question is easy – HF operation is too complex for a beginner from the car, so something that gives good VHF/UHF performance is a given.
But for home use, the question is more complex.
Research lead me to two options for the radio: the ICOM IC-703, and the Yaesu FT-817.
If I’d been planning to stick at the foundation level, I’d have gone for the IC-703 with little hesitation. From all reports it’s a fantastic little rig, offering the full foundation 10W, a superb receiver and a built-in Antenna Tuner. But, once I get to the intermediate/full license it’s kind of redundant. It’s not small enough to be really portable, and not powerful enough to drive 50W or higher.
I could go for a whole raft of higher power radios, with lots of features, and keep the power down below 10W for now. But that seems to involve more money than I can throw at a rig right now.
So I’m left with the baby Yaesu FT-817. It does 2m and 70cm, so I can get onto the local repeaters from the house as well as the car. It’s small, light and rugged, so I can throw it in my hand luggage (hell, I’d put it in a suitcase). Even when I add an ATU, it’s within the current “gadget budget”.
The subject of a home antenna is for another post. But for now, I’ve ordered myself a FT-817ND, a miracle whip antenna, and an Elecraft T1 ATU, which I don’t expect to see for a couple of weeks. This gives me a good starting rig for home use, that will become the basis of a portable rig when I travel and can justify the money for something more capable at home. I’ve got a few ideas for antennae as well… and that’s also the subject of another post.