It's just my opinion and that won't get you a ride on the subway, but I have a Kenwood TS-430.
Yes, it's an old radio, but for me, it works. I like the blue flourescent frequency display on it.
Although band conditions have been in the toilet, I tend to do more listening than transmitting.
All I know is, when I transmit and call a station, usually, they can hear me, and if that's the case
then it must also be true that I can hear them. Frankly, I don't need a radio that has all the fancy
menus, tft displays etc. I just need something that works, works well, and is simple to operate.
Why would I want to dive 5 levels down into a sub-menu to change something?
Scotty says, the more they complicate the plumbing, the easier it is to stop up the drain.
Yes, there are some hams that have tens of thousands of dollars invested in radios, linear amps
towers, rotators, tuners, etc. and I guess for them, that's what ham radio is.
Having the newest, greatest, current radio etc. Me, I just want to enjoy the hobby and for that,
this little old 430 works fine for me. Just because something's old doesn't mean it isn't good anymore.