If you have the $$, pony up for an FT-857D. You'll get 10m, 6m, 2m, and 70cm all mode. I like mine, I actually have two of them. Pretty versatile. Not the best HF rig, but OK. Consider a used one in good condition, they are out there. And you'll have the other HF bands for the upgrade to General when you do that.
Well, you do have 80, 40, and 15 CW only privileges right now. ;)
Chris also has 10m SSB on 28.300-28.500, and full privs on 6. The 857 is the most bang for the buck IMHO. And, being by the Gulp Coast, 6m opens frequently :-)
Last edited by W7XF; 07-12-2013 at 03:03 AM.
Encrypt everything. Even if you have nothing to hide. It increases the noise floor.