I plan on getting a basic "learning transceiver" off eBay to begin
with, then after I know what options I need and learn more, I'll get a
new one.

What features will I need to be able to start to do low-power CW, and
is there a preferred brand or model to look for?


Low-power operation is referred to in the amateur radio lexicon as
"QRP." If you search on that keyword in Google or Yahoo, you'll find
that there are many different options available to you in that category.

You could purchase a QRP CW transceiver such as the Heathkit HW-8 or HW-
9. They're easy to operate, fairly low-tech. But they are capable of
operating CW and ONLY CW. If you get the itch to move on to SSB or
digital modes, you'll need a different radio. Also, it's ONLY able to
operate on HF, so if you decide you want to work some of the VHF or UHF
bands, it won't go there.

Your best bet would be to get a transceiver that can accomodate multiple
modes. My first rig was a Kenwood TS-520, a very forgiving radio that
offered CW and SSB operation on the 80, 40, 20, 15 and 10 meter bands.
It was all solid-state except for the final amplifier, which used tubes.
You can find these on the used market nowadays for under $200 in decent
condition. It operates at around 100 watts, but can be cranked down to
very low power levels if you need to. (One of the rules in Amateur
Radio is to use only the power output necessary to carry on the contact,
and 100 watts is often overkill.)

My personal preference these days is the Yaesu FT-817 transceiver. It
only puts out five watts, but it supports operation on all of the HF
bands, plus 6m, 2m and 70cm. It also provides a general-coverage
receiver for HF, plus receives (but won't transmit on) public-safety
VHF-hi communications, the FM broadcast band, and the VHF aircraft band.
With a device like a RigBlaster and just about any present-day computer,
you can also operate just about any digital mode with the '817.

(Obviously I'm a big fan of the 817! There's also the FT-857 if you
want to have a little more power on tap if needed.)

Hope that helps.



Thanks for the info, I'll check out those models also.

I will probably be trying out all modes of operation on all bands
eventually, as I learn more, so how many watts of output power will I
need for most contacts? I don't want to start out undersized!

Also, does anyone know of a website that has side-by-side compairsons of
rigs?

Thanks,
MikeB