My radio experience: consumer/ham/Military/University/Industry, both hardware and software. (But currently I deal with databases, 'cause it pays the bills.)
See if a local library has a copy of the ARRL Handbook. There's also a ton of information available on internet. Many hams have blogs, projects, etc available to explore. Sometime back issues of Radio and ham magazines are freely available. http://www.ae5x.com/blog/tag/oldpubs/
There's a large number of kits and other projects that are simple and inexpensive to build. You can spend as much or as little as your budget allows and still have a blast. I've had a nice PSK31 chat with the US East coast from Texas with 3 watts and a simple wire antenna while car camping.
I'm hesitant in telling you to seek out a ham radio club. There's a bitterness among a small percentage of older hams that has discouraged a legion of folks from enjoying the spectrum. But with the internet, you can usually ignore these idiots and find some aspect of radio/electronics and communication with like folks.
See if a local library has a copy of the ARRL Handbook. There's also a ton of information available on internet. Many hams have blogs, projects, etc available to explore. Sometime back issues of Radio and ham magazines are freely available. http://www.ae5x.com/blog/tag/oldpubs/
There's a large number of kits and other projects that are simple and inexpensive to build. You can spend as much or as little as your budget allows and still have a blast. I've had a nice PSK31 chat with the US East coast from Texas with 3 watts and a simple wire antenna while car camping.
I'm hesitant in telling you to seek out a ham radio club. There's a bitterness among a small percentage of older hams that has discouraged a legion of folks from enjoying the spectrum. But with the internet, you can usually ignore these idiots and find some aspect of radio/electronics and communication with like folks.