New with questions

[IrishMike]

After several years of wanting to get into HAM Radio, I am about to do it. I am from West Virginia. Former police officer, volunteer firefighter and EMT. SCUBA diver for our fire department and have basically been in public safety all of my life.

My questions;

What is a good on-line study course for my Tech and General license? HamTestonline.com?

What a decent first handheld rig? Base rig?

Any pointers for the Pro's?

Thanks,
Mike

[KC2PED]

When I was studying for my General license I used Ham Test Online for free to see what areas I needed to study in my books. But the book was of more value to me because it taught me how to figure out what the right answer was rather than repeatedly taking the tests and memorizing the answers, which can get you through the exam. I think if you pay to use the site they supply some background on each question, but don't hold me to that.