I've been wanting to get into HAM/Amateur radio for some time now.    
   Unfortunately the closest that I've been to ever experiencing what this   
   opportunity has to offer is some time on the CB when I was a teenager.  I'm   
   very interested in trying to get started with something as soon as possible,   
   both for vocal communication and packet radio xmission.  I understand that   
   there are a few tests that usually have to be taken in order to receive a   
   license from the FCC for this method of communication.   
       I know that some people are going to say FFS just google it, but I thought   
   I'd ask here first because obviously there are some seriously knowledgeable   
   people here.  So what I'm wondering is if any of you have any primers/study   
   materials to recommend for a person trying to start out such as myself.  Hell,   
   I'm even looking for equipment recommendations.  I know nothing about antennas,   
   either, and I'd like to become familiar enough to hopefully improvise my own,   
   if that's possible.  I used to have a copper-wire antenna for my CB in my room   
   when I was a teen, but I didn't know the mathematics or ratios behind it nor   
   anything about testing it, a friend set it up for me without taking the time to   
   explain any of it.   
       Anything you guys can offer would be very much appreciated.  I'm also open   
   to having any misconceptions that I may have right now corrected, as well.   
       TIA   
      
                                       -Damo   
      
   -The opinions expressed are not necessarily an advocation of any of the   
   aforementioned ideologies, concepts, or actions.  We still have the freedom of   
   speech, for now, and I enjoy using it in a satirical or ficticious manner to   
   amuse myself.-   
   --- SBBSecho 2.14-OpenBSD   
    * Origin: telnet://bismaninfo.hopto.org:8023/ (1:282/1057)