Congratulations on getting your license, and welcome!!
Here is my suggestion. If you're sure you are going to stick with ham radio and use repeaters, bite the bullet and get the radio you will really enjoy using - the Kenwood TH-F6A. You can get it for about $290 new, or less used. It's tri-band covering 2m, 220, and 440. It is widely regarded as one of the best tri-band HTs. Once you have used it for awhile, upgrade the "rubber duck" antenna with the Diamond SRH320A. While 220 is not ubiquitous, it is widely used in So-Cal.
This might be too much information for you right now, and if so, just save it for later.
I hope you have a lot of fun with ham radio, and again, welcome aboard!
Jerel Crosland, WT6G
Sent from my iPhone
Stephen,
Welcome to the HAM community!! For a cost effective first radio, I recommend buying the mighty BaoFeng UV-5R for $25 from amazon.
It is not as simple to use as some of the more expensive units, but for the money it cannot be beat. I have several 2m transceivers, high end mobiles included but I still have and use several of these chinese radios because they are extremely effective and durable.
I know this does not answer your question, but I do not have details on a radio for loan from the club station, hopefully somebody else can chime in there.
73
Jordan
K6YVJ