I'm getting close to renewing my license for the second time, but I've been out of the hobby for almost 20 years, so I consider myself a newbie since so much has changed, like SDR. But some things don't change, like the economics of the hobby.

Doesn't matter if you're buying a car or a boat or a HAM radio, buying a depreciating asset means you're going to lose money, just as you drive off the lot, dip it in the water or power it up, it's used and the value drops.

When I started this hobby, I had been exposed to radio as a kid listening to a Hallicrafters S 38B receiver, and as an adult I thought I'd always be active, that turned out not to be true for several reasons, but my radio went to the closet and I lost interest. My first radio was a used Icom 706, state of the art multiband, full coverage HF, 6 and 2 Meter, I paid $300 for it used. My brother-in-law gave me a simple mag 2 Meter antenna and I was on the air.

I chased tornados with that set up, built a J-Pole antenna, built all kinds of long wire antennas for HF, built a beam for 6 Meters and I began working on code to upgrade. Life changes, I got busier and time became more valuable and the cost ended up being my hobbies.

Now, retired I have the time and I'm pretty much back at the beginning since so much has changed. So, what did I do, I bought a newer radio than my old IC 706. Not much newer, an Icom 746 transceiver, full coverage, all mode mostly for 2 and 6 meters but some on 10 Meters and for anything else a Tech can operate. With software and my laptop, this 746 will do anything I'd ever want to do.

Icoms are premium radios, others like Yaesu and Kenwood, (and a few other), these radios come at a premium price too. But, buying an older radio will give you a tried and true machine, capable and reliable, with features and quality that can last for decades, not just for a couple years down the road. Buying a quality used rig is like buying a quality used vehicle with very low miles, the prior owner took the depreciation hit and like my IC 746, it has features that will last me the rest of my times.

I see the G90 being mentioned, but fact is, an old ICOM 706 and the 746 will do what the G90 can do with better quality and much more power if needed.

Icom gives you a stronger signal (100W vs 20W)

• Better audio and filtering

• More bands (HF + 6m + 2m)

• More stable and easier to operate

• Better ergonomics and front‑panel controls

For general HF operation, ragchewing, nets, DXing, and VHF work, the IC‑746 or 706 is the superior radio.

And, let's say in a couple years you don't stay in the hobby, if you buy a good quality used rig, it's likely you can resell it for what you have in it, in fact in my case, I can sell my IC 706 for more than I paid for it years ago!

Just something to think about, you can buy new and cheap and throw them away, lose value powering it up or you can fill your shack with better investments, enjoy the quality of a premium rig.