Help for a potential foundation candidate?

[radiogareth]

I'm asking on behalf of an ex-student of mine, now studying Electronic Engineering at Durham. From talking to a fellow student there (who I took through foundation License 4 years ago) he's 'got the bug' and wants something to get on the air with. Limited budget (like most students I guess) but if anyone has surplus VHF/UHF gear that might suit a beginner please send me a message with some details.

He says "my research project at university is in use of deep learning in wireless communications in the physical layer (using a neural network to optimize end to end communications rather a classical communication system). It could have interesting implications for SDR in the future (if it is any good and successful). So I think building my own SDR would be very worthwhile for me."

Maybe he will be a future DATV operator too....I'll certainly be pointing him at the Portsdown/Langstone direction.

TIA

Gareth G4XAT