Russ,  You must be a masochist with this post.  So before they bring the 
ross
and nails, let me see if I can actually help.  I am assuming by "shortwave"
you mean the 440mhz band (as the wavelegnth is shorter in legnth).  I suggest
your first radio be a 2 meter radio as this is the most active band and will
be of more interest.  Dual banders should come later, after you have acquired
more day to day practical experience.  440 is like a Ford LTD, it has a very
"quiet" ride.  My meaning is that there is just not enough traffic in most 
places
to enjoy it as much as you will 2 meters.  There are a zillion things to do
with 440 but for a first rig, get a 2 meter.  Next, stay out of Radio Shack.
The best thing they sell is a $4.95 heated solder sucker that they retail for
$9.95.  Their radios are cheep knockoffs of icoms and not worth the dollars.
Component manufactures sell 3 classes of components to equipment 
anufactures.
50%, meaning that up to 500 parts per 1000 may or may not work.  80% and 
00%.
100% meaning that all components are tested and good.  Now when they build
equipment, they know that with substandard parts, 10, 20 or 30 percent of the
units will go bad.  Why go into a place where you know that you are spending
good money to buy what you think is going to be a usable product, when they
are betting on the chance that it will get through the warranty period before
it dies!  Keep your money in your pocket a few days and do some research.
Be careful with Kenwood as well.  There are 2 reasons for this.  First is
that they are notorious for building a radio and then discontinuing the
parts to repair it later.  This can be deadly, especially if you have a high
dollar rig and you have to scrap it in a couple of years for a $20 part!
The second reason is political.  Kenwood is guilty of putting HT's in
truck stops on consignment.  They may be stopping that practice now, but
it clearly shows that they have no reguard for Amateur Radio.  Radio Shack
is guilty of this as well.  Sell the product, who cares what is done with it.
Look at the older, perhaps used, models of the mid to late 80's.  Maybe an
FT 208R by Yeasu or something along this line.  You may keep this radio for
a long time and use it daily.  Rather have a 2 year old Mercedes or a brand
new Yugo?   An HT or handi-talkie is your best bet.  You can use it to carry
around,  hook it to a mobile antenna in your car, or use it as a base station
hooked to a Jpole at home.  Try to find a local, older ham to help you if you
can.  A knowledgable old W or N call will do just fine.  Good Luck Russ.
73 Mitch AE4YW
And to the rest of you, set that tarbucket and that sack of feathers down
just a moment.  He's only a baby.  Have you no shame?
... Don't hit me, Mr. Moderator... I'll go back on topic... I swear!
--- Blue Wave v2.12 [NR]
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