How tough is it to get into HAM? I'd love to get my license.
Not hard at all. The Technician Class license, which is the bare minimum requirement for transmitting is pretty easy. Go to HamStudy.org to study flashcards.
There are 35 questions on the exam, but the question pool is 400 questions. Use that site I mentioned to study and take practice exams and you'll do fine. I tested out with a 32/35.
I'm studying for my General Class license now so I can open up more HF bands and will
eventually get my Amateur Extra license which is the final and most advanced licensing the FCC offers.
Today I took the handheld yagi shown above and was hitting 2M repeaters in Cincinatti and Columbus, Indiana on a little 8w hand-held radio without much issue. Both locations are about 40-50 miles from me. I also have a Diamond x200a omnidirectional antenna that I need to install on a mast. It's 8' tall and will be mounted about 20' in the air... would be higher (and may be in the future) but that'll give me good coverage. I was using it as a 'handheld' yesterday and was hitting a repeater clear as day 60+ miles away. I assume once it's properly mounted and I get a proper base station radio I'll hear further and be heard further on 2M/70cm bands.
Of course, if you want to talk
real far get into HF stuff and track sun activity
I'm tracking a few satelites now and plan on trying to make contact. There is a passing of the SO-50 that will be low on the horizon later today and I may try to see if I can QSO with anyone.