@esizer, I'm sorry for your loss. Once you get your ticket and get acquainted with the gear, I suggest you buy a new handheld radio for vhf/uhf. There are so many features on new radios, even stuff that's 10 years old seems like a dinosaur. HF is alot of fun, but keep in mind that we're still near the bottom of a solar cycle, it won't be 'good' for a few years.