Hight is your best solution here.  If you went with a directional antenna, you'll improve your signal in one direction, but it will be reduced in others.  So you would want to put it on a rotator.  If you can't get your antenna any higher, an amp and preamp might do the trick.

73 de Joseph M. Durnal NE3R

The last time I used CW on 2 meters and 432 MHz was in 2006 I think.  I was operating those bands at my club's field day site.  Not a lot of VHF+ on field day as it is, and band conditions were very poor.  A bit of a rag chew started on SSB between the 4 or 5 stations that could hear each other.  Someone suggested that they were going to call CQ on CW a few kHz down.  I had my CW key, so, I answered them, and made a few more CW contacts with some of the ops that I had already worked on SSB.  It was great because I was still pretty new to CW and those QSOs nearly doubled the score from the 2m/432 station that year!

73 de Joseph M. Durnal NE3R

"Antennas, etc are a separate issue"

Antennas are, well, the most important thing.  If I had that much land.... well,

A lot of suggestions were made, but there really isn't enough information on your operating preferences to give you good suggestions.  If you haven't quite figured out what you plan to do on the HF bands, the Icom IC-718 is an inexpensive starting point, and resells well if it doesn't meet your needs.

I always say, you can never go wrong with an Elecraft K3 but that is a little out of your price range.  

73 de Joseph M. Durnal NE3R

I'm sorry I sold my FT-847.  I had mixed reviews.  It was awesome on VHF & UHF, but not quite as good on HF.  It really depends on what you are most interested in using the radio for.  If you are looking for a great VHF/UHF rig that included HF, the FT-847 is a good choice but if you are looking for a great HF rig with VHF/UHF included, the TS-2000 would be better.  

I'm looking forward to seeing what the Icom IC-9100 has to offer, and how much it will cost.  If they take the best of the Icom IC-910h and Icom IC-746pro, it will be an awesome radio.  

73 de Joseph M. Durnal NE3R

That is what I have.  It is a simple antenna that is a little better on 2 meters than a 1/4 wave.  I get OK simplex range.  I'm in a little bit of a valley, so I don't get out all that far.  I don't know much about the 70cm side, it has good SWR, and works well for the local repeaters, but I have never really tried anything to far out.

Inside the attic will work, but not as good as getting out just above the roof line.  One of the reasons I chose this antenna was because I'm antenna restricted and it has a low visual profile.  It is mounted to my chimney.

73 de Joseph M. Durnal NE3R

The (G) model is updated from the original 1999 version.  

The trouble is parts, some components aren't made anymore - since it is a good seller - it should be worth their time to redesign, the big question is if it will be a minor revision or a major update.

Whatever they do I hope the build in a GPS

73 de Joseph Durnal NE3R

Inexpensive 2M SSB isn't easy.

My club has an Icom IC-271A - it is a great rig.

73 de Joseph Durnal NE3R

I'm putting together a little sked for GO-32 APRS. I've been listening, and there doesn't seem to be many hams in the region using it.

It seems that most folks have seen their own position report, and that is it. I'd like to see something other than my own packet .

Everything you need to know to operate via GO-32:
http://web.usna.navy.mil/~bruninga/GO32-ops.html

DC Area Pass Details:
8:33, heading 162 deg, elevation 10 deg, set receiver about 435.235
8:35, heading 162 deg, elevation 30 deg, set receiver about 435.230
8:38, heading 77 deg, elevation 85 deg, set receiver about 435.225
8:41, heading 350 deg, elevation 30 deg, set receiver about 435.220
8:43, heading 350 deg, elevation 10 deg, set receiver about 435.215

I'm working with some of my local hams to help them get on, but we'd love to see some packets from Dayton or elsewhere!  So if you'll be there with your
TMD7x0 or TH-D7A(g), and you don't have anything better to do on a saturday night, set it up for GO-32 and send a few position reports!

Dayton GO-32 Pass

Time                Satellite              Azm  Elv  Mag Range
--------------------------------------------------------------
2008-05-17 20:34:04 GO-32 [P]            145.5 10.0 10.7  2403
2008-05-17 20:39:11 GO-32 [P]             71.8 50.1  9.0  1029
2008-05-17 20:44:20 GO-32 [P]            357.8 10.1 11.1  2416

73 de Joseph Durnal NE3R

I'm sharing with everybody!

On my second attempt, I was able to transmit an APRS position report packet via the GO-32 satellite and receive the digipeated packet for confirmation.

How did I do it? Well, I followed Bob's directions on
http://eng.usna.navy.mil/~bruninga/GO32-ops.html and used my new Kenwood TM-D710 with the dual band mobile antenna on top of Amy's van.

NE3R-9>3Y2R2Q,4XTECH*:'i6(l ←v/]50W Mobile with 19" dual band whip=

That is my position report as I received it on the satellite's downlink frequency. The 4XTECH* represents the station that digipeated
my packet.

Complete with pictures:

http://cryptojoe.blogspot.com/2008/05/go-32-satellite-aprs-operation.html

73 de Joseph Durnal NE3R

I don't know about D*Star but back in the day they used to say that there was nothing more private than 220 LSB at the top of the band.

I'm not sure if it will work, but if you google keyboard and kenwood TM-D700 you'll find an interface for that.  No word on if it works with the 710 though.

73 de Joseph Durnal NE3R