STEP ONE: http://www.kb6nu.com/tech-manual/
STEP TWO: http://www.arrl.org/exam_sessions/search
STEP THREE: Pass tech test
STEP FOUR: Wait about a week for FCC to give you a callsign
Tech is a very easy test.
General is slightly hard.
Extra is a monster.
Most of the “like-minded” American fellows hang out on the 80/75 meter band.
I still have my GROL. The test was pretty tough when I took it back in the mid 90’s (and I studied for weeks for it). Ask me to remember any of it now and I’d be pretty lost. I do still have all my books and materials though, so I could refresh as necessary.