You do not need a license to buy amateur radio equipment — but you need a license to use it.
My hubby’s a ham. Which is why I know using certain equipment w/o a license is a bozo no-no. But Nellie Ohr might just have wanted the paperwork to bless her possession of the equipment. Doesn’t mean she was the person, or only person, using it.
And before I forget, a question for any of our legal eagles: If an American engages in treasonous acts on foreign soil, say Canada, can an American be charged back home?