The realistic starting point: a dual-band handheld
A $30–$60 VHF/UHF handheld gets you on local repeaters the day your call sign is issued. It is not a great radio; it is a cheap way to find out what you actually enjoy. Buy one that is FCC Part 97 certified for amateur use and avoid models sold as "no licence needed".
Upgrade the antenna first. A $20 aftermarket whip typically outperforms the supplied rubber duck by more than a $200 radio upgrade would.
Second purchase: a mobile radio or an outdoor antenna
A 25–50 watt mobile radio in the car or on a desk power supply, feeding an outdoor antenna, is a much bigger jump in performance than a fancier handheld. Height and a clear view matter more than watts.
Going to HF
Entry HF transceivers start around $600 new and much less used. Budget for the whole system: radio, power supply, coax, antenna support and an antenna tuner. A $40 wire dipole in the clear beats a $400 compromise antenna hidden in an attic.
What you also need
- A power supply or charged batteries
- Coaxial feedline of the right type and length
- Something to hold the antenna up — a mast, a tree, a fibreglass pole
- A copy of your local band plan and repeater directory
Before you buy anything
Go to a club meeting and say you are new. Someone will hand you a radio, let you listen, and tell you which local repeaters are active. That is worth more than any review.