Before I got my ham license I had a shoestring budget. I pondered getting a used rig like an Icom IC-706mk2g. They were still 300+ USD used. I decided I’d take a chance and buy a kit radio! Up to this point I’d only assembled a simple fm radio and other simple kits and drone repair. I figured the worst that’d happen would be a smoke show. When I finally got it fired up the first time I had a large towel with me to smother in case a 🔥 started. 🤣
The version I had was v5
I ended up buying a 3d printed enclosure for the rig. 
I used that enclosure for many years. Eventually I added a touch screen with some modded firmware. 
Don’t judge my feet
Now they come stock with a touch screen. They are up to v6 now, pretty impressive!
I kept hearing hams talk about signal reports. I noticed that I did not have a signal meter. I ended up buying an Arduino nano. There is a way to make one with that. I have not attempted it. 
I have never even made a contact on this rig. I listened for six months or so then ended up getting my license. What really peaked my interest was WebSDR! You can listen to radios from around the world for free in your web browser. You probably are already aware of that if you are reading this though.