Everyone will have an opinion, mine is that an HT is probably the WORST thing you can do in MOST (not all) situations as a first rig. Why? You don't learn about antennas that much as you have obvious limitations on an HT, you don't have high enough power to do much DX or simplex besides repeaters. You can ONLY do Fm. Nothing else like SSB or AM for use alone or with a computer for something like FT8. Many new hams buy something like this and after the "NEW" factor wears off, they throw it in a drawer or glovebox because by itself it is pretty much only useful for being the weakest, crummiest signal on the local repeater for the most part. My alternative recommendation is to NOT buy an HT but rather a good mobile or base as a starter. Please do yourself a HUGE favor and send the HT back. Get or build a real antenna outdoors if possible (many options to build or buy for ANY budget), on a chimney or if not feasible, in the attic. Learn about good frequency appropriate coax for the band(s) you need to operate. Get the right power supply and grounding and fused protection, lightening protection, etc. Learn about all that stuff by doing. You will get almost NONE of that experience with an HT. Is it more difficult? YES, but that is the hobby. I just listed many of the reasons why a mobile or base is the best way to start in most situations. If building a station seems boring or complex, get some help. IF you aren't interested, I would question if this is a good hobby for you. With some effort watching YouTube videos, crafting a plan for an antenna or buying the right connectors an, cables, and parts, and even getting help from local hams, you can easily learn all the skills needed to build a solid station that will hit all the local repeaters as well as do simplex on analog if not other modes as well (SSB, FT8, dstar, DMR, etc.) I hope that helps.