"This is how you radio guys operate. I used to work around a couple of you people; I know, I've seen it. Someone asks a seemingly benign question and you know you've got a sucker on the hook."
I don't think it's limited to radio. In fact, note that I'm not selling you on ham radio even though I've been a ham for 35 years. It's pretty much any hobby or interest where the idea fell on fertile soil.
Pro-96 goes for $400 on sale every few months.
You'll want computer software to program it with and cable to connect (about $50 more). Use
www.radioreference.com to find frequencies.
:-) Have fun.
'bert