[godelski]

A HAM license is easy to get in the US. There are three main classes, and I would expect most people on HN could get the Technician license with little to no studying. Won't provide you world wide communications, but it is still good to have. Most places charge $10 and are done by the local HAM group. Here's a practice test for the levels if anyone is interested. [1] The questions are from a pool, so worst case you could just memorize them.

[1] http://aa9pw.com/radio/

[UncleEntity]

Yep, read a couple books I got off the internets, mostly memorized the pool questions and got an expert license I never really used (probably doesn't help I'm not the most social creature) so didn't renew last year. Really easy to get a license since they got rid of the Morse code requirement -- just need to learn a few formulas really.

--edit-- Not in one sitting, IIRC went from tech to expert on the second trip.

[cjsuk]

Data modes and CW are there for us unsociable individuals :)

[cjsuk]

It's the same in the UK with RSGB. Very easy.