I had joined a local Ham Radio Club back home but had to drop out when I started traveling again but would like to buy a cheap hand held unit just to listen to information rather than relying on free to air TV or youtube for information. I have been looking at the handheld units Yaaesu VX-6DR analog just to start with before getting into the digital FT-5DR at double the price. Along with a portable packtenna and sotabeams tactical mini mast system.

Listening to Shortwave

Packtenna

https://www.packtenna.com/#/

Sotabeams Tactical Mini Mast

https://www.dxengineering.com/parts/sbm-tacmini

Yaesu

http://www.andrewscom.com.au/amateur-radio

Slim Jim antennas

Installing a Portable Ham Radio Stealth Antenna