If you have been following me for a while, you know I have had some experience with a lot of HF radios. From one of the cheapest on the market (tr)uSDX to the Icom-705/7300.
I’m going to give some advice to those who haven’t purchased a HF radio yet.
If you are just planning on getting a HF radio to strictly do voice/SSB operations then you will be fine purchasing most HF radios new or used. Using voice is pretty straightforward. You attach the antenna, plug in the mic, power up the radio, and you are good to go.
If you are planning on running mainly digital modes over HF, I would highly recommend getting a NEW radio from a Japanese company. You will have much less frustration getting the digital modes to run with a new radio. I have used the XIEGU X6100, Q900, (tr)uSDX, Icom 706MKII, Icom 718, Icom 7200, Ft-817, & FT-857. They have ALL frustrated the shit out of me trying to get them to work with the digital modes… the 7200 was probably the least frustrating.
I have the IC-705 and IC-7300, and both of them are very simple to get to work with ALL the digital modes. The 7300 is now my main radio at the house, and the 705 is my field radio.
I realize that the Japanese radios are more expensive than the Chinesium junk, but you get what you pay for.
Wyoming Survival 
What is your take on the 10meter band? Think it serves a good purpose or is 2/70 the better way?
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10 meters is actually in the HF band. Right now during the day you can get almost across the US on 10 meters if the atmosphere is right but once the sun goes down you’re lucky to get 10 miles. I haven’t messed with 10 much. I know it’s better now that when I first got my license. We were in the bottom of the 11 year solar cycle then. We are on our way to the solar maximum now so it should keep getting better for a few more years.
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