Would love to get a HAM license.. but difficult here in Japan (in English) ;/
You might think about setting up a rig to just listen in. Learn to do that and keep notes on the frequencies, callsigns, locations - just like you would if you were joining in the chatter. It's a valuable information source.
If you're on a tight budget, a HAM license is the only way to go since the cost of STEAK licenses have skyrocketed.........
“Would love to get a HAM license.. but difficult here in Japan (in English) ;/”
Difficult in Japan but probably impossible in Middle East.