[jneumann004]

I'll answer you second question first, ham radio crash course is probably the most popular amateur radio you tuber.

I got licensed about a year ago and I'm still having a blast with it. There is the standard ways of communication via radio, voice and continuous wave (morse code). Most modern radios are able to be connected to a computer to communicate with other radios digitally. Digital modes are generally better for low power.

I have a lower end 20 watt radio and I can regularly talk to all of the continental united states, but depending on conditions I have reached South America and eastern Europe.