[gabesk]

1. You found your call sign already, but if you're interested in upgrading, the https://www.kb6nu.com/study-guides/ were very helpful for me becoming a general which lets you play in the world of HF radio. There are exams in almost everywhere about once a month http://www.arrl.org/find-an-amateur-radio-license-exam-sessi... and they're just multi-choice which aren't too difficult.

2. For me, three things. There are a variety of low-earth orbiting satellites that can be accessed with nothing but a Baofeng and a yagi built with some Romex copper elements, glue, and balsa wood (Google AMSAT FM). There's something awe-inspiring to me being able to talk to people contient wide with just a few watts and < $50s of walkie-talkie gear. Second, even though it's been possible since the 50's, it's still a rush to talk to people across the US or world over shortwave with just a long wire thrown up in the tree. I got started with the http://www.elecraft.com/KX2/kx2.htm although there are certainly more affordable entry paths. Some spare Ethernet cable, the ugly balum http://www.hamuniverse.com/balun.html and a few trees make a surprisngly effective means of communicating on 40 meters without that much power. Third, although ubiquitos cell service has lessend the usefulness, the distributed nature of being able to transmit your position and exchange txt messages with people around the world via APRS https://aprs.fi/ is still amazing to me.