The BaoFeng 5R and QuanSheng K6 are both good entry-level radios that aren't too expensive. It's best to start with these to get a feel for things. You can't expect to be an expert right away. If you're interested, and have the resources, you can continue to pursue more advanced equipment. In the future, there will be options for satellite, moon, and shortwave communication, as well as various antennas and operating methods.