You will want an HF radio to make use of your general class privileges. The Yaesu FT-710 and Icom IC-7300 are good HF base station radios, but will cost around $1000 not including a power supply, antennas, and coax. If you want something cheaper, you can look at the Xiegu G90. It doesn’t have as good of a receiver and it’s lower powered, but it’s half the price and more portable. None of these will do 2M or 70CM, so you will need another radio if you want to work local repeaters.
@AG7LR ok thank you!! I am planning on testing for my general within the next month or so. Does that change the recommendation at all?
You will want an HF radio to make use of your general class privileges. The Yaesu FT-710 and Icom IC-7300 are good HF base station radios, but will cost around $1000 not including a power supply, antennas, and coax. If you want something cheaper, you can look at the Xiegu G90. It doesn’t have as good of a receiver and it’s lower powered, but it’s half the price and more portable. None of these will do 2M or 70CM, so you will need another radio if you want to work local repeaters.