Welcome. As stated elsewhere, get a decent mobile for your first radio if you spend any time in your car (or you can use it for a base rig). The big three make low-end models for under $200 (or should I say "big four" if you count Alinco). Add another $50 or an antenna, another $20 or so for cable, and you are set.

As to HT's I own the TH-F6A, and I love it.

The Icom T-90 seems nice, but it only has a single receiver. If you accept that limitation, then it is fine.

The VX-7 and TH-F6a both have dual receivers. This means that you can have one receiver dedicated to your favorite repeater, and use the other receiver to pick up broadcast channels. With the T-90, your broadcast would be chopped up every couple of seconds while it "channel-hopped" to check the repeater.

The VX-7 has the advantage of being more rugged. It has a metal chassis, and claims to be waterproof. The TH-F6a has the advantage of picking up SSB/CW, and it has a bar antenna built-in for far superior reception of AM broadcast bands. So choose which is more important, and pick your poison.

Another thing in favor if the Kenwood is that you can download their programming software for free. Then, all you need is a circuit to translate RS-232 voltage levels to 5V TTL levels, and you can program your radio. There are schematics available if you want to "roll-your-own." If you buy Yaesu, you can count of spending $40 for a cable and software.

Have fun! Don't forget to check out "Echolink" software.