this is something i thought about doing a few years ago after using a old SW to just listen in.i got some books and watched the Youtubes but it seemed like a dead end these days.computers are the main source of international contact and the number of Hams is so low that in the evenings i was not hearing many talking back and forth.
the price of gear is sort spendy and unless your involved in some sort of emergency network club i can't see any use for a Ham radio.
fun hobby but not what it was years ago.