Don't think I want much of any silicon in my shack, that's for sure. I still have the gear I bought with paper route money back in '65...a Knight-Kit T-60 transmitter I built and a National NC-109 receiver. The T-60 (though it is screen modulated...still AM, though) should come back to life with a fistfull of caps...the National has some problems in the bandswitch area that could be vexing. Instead of the National, I have an RME-45 from 1946 that is a strong performer...a fistfull of caps and she'll be singin'. The junkbox contains most everything to build a 250 watt plate-modulated AM transmitter, as well as most of the stuff needed to put together an amplifier capable of 800-1,000 watts. SSB? Maybe. A friend who's a former ham has a Kenwood transceiver he'd sell to me reasonable...probably should have that capability as well.
Get your ticket! Go to
www.qrz.com and click on "sample tests"...you'll need to start with Technician, then progress to General (and Extra class if you feel brave.) I started with a General Class study guide, then went to QRZ and kept taking the sample tests til I felt ready. Can't wait for my first QSO!