I’ve been one since the early 1980s.
It’s been a dying hobby for years, but it is now starting to make a small comeback.
I would suggest going ARRL. They’re website is: www.ARRL.com They have tons of tech, training & educational materials available.
As far as “home brewing” your own equipment, it can be done. In the old days, there were companies like HeathKit that you could buy all the components to build your stuff in kit form. I don’t believe any of them exist anymore.
ARRL usually has some home-brew ideas every month.
Like anything of this nature, it can get expensive, but it doesn’t have to be if you keep it simple.
Good luck and let me know how you make out. 73’s.
I had .com on their webpage, but it is ARRL.org
“It’s been a dying hobby for years, but it is now starting to make a small comeback.”
Some of that comeback may be part of the RC flight community, particularly the guys using a small video transmitter for “first person view” flight. Some guys get the license, some don’t, but they say it is required by the FCC to operate most of those higher powered transmitters. As an RC guy though I’m not going to claim credit, I’d like to think there’s interest in other forms of communication besides the internet.
The hook, for me, was the DMR system that allow the connection of the radio and the computer network.
The Winsystem, PAPANET, and Brandmeister are interesting.
Scavenging and re-purpose hacks are fun. The used parts shelf at Habitat For Humanity has many treasures. Making antennas from “stuff” is neat (two steel coat hangers and PVC pipe).