Reddit reviews Ham Radio For Dummies

This is the first book I flipped through when I was initially interested: Ham Radio For Dummies.
Just look through it and see if it's for you. Then try to get your tech license if you're still interested. Study online with HamExam. What sort of activities are you interested in?

edit: added activities link

Hey, no problem!

As for the class, it really depends on how you think you learn best. I never took a class, so I can't speak as to how they are structured or how hands-on they are, but some people do learn better in a classroom setting and being able to discuss the subject with others. Other people can read and take notes solo, which, in the case of radio, is what I did, and be effective.

The online sources are okay, just like I said, be aware of how up to date the source is. If you go that route, I highly recommend looking at the ARRL question pool as you study. The beauty of the exams are that you get to see all the questions and answers before hand. You just don't know which questions will actually be on your copy of the exam. Since the question pool is public information, you can find any number of smartphone apps or websites that will simulate exams for you, which helps you see where your strengths and weaknesses are.

Note: The question pool changes every four years, and it's due to change at the end of June this year. The new pool will be up on July 1st in case you don't complete your exam by then.

Here are the resources I used to prepare:

• HamStudy.org: includes free flash cards, pages of info, and more info about getting licensed.
  
  
• HamExam.org simulated exams online
  
  
• Ham Radio Study for Android a simple, clean, easy to use app that simulates exams for you on the go. Answer as many questions as you like at a time.
  
  
• Ham Radio for Dummies: the "for Dummies" books are terrific, and the one in the link is actually an updated version from the one I used. This book focuses more on understanding the principles and general knowledge of amateur radio.
  
  
• ARRL Study Guides: these are awesome, but hold off on buying them new until you have shopped around to see if any used copies are available for cheap. I was lucky, and got mine free from a fellow ham, which I later passed on to another person interested in radio via /r/amateurradio.
  
  
• ARRL supplemental guide materials: okay, I didn't use this at all, but it's a great supplement if you want to expand what you get out of the study guide. I see no reason why this couldn't be used in conjunction with free guides, as well.
  
  That all looks like a lot, but it's not. I just wanted to give you a bit of variety. I mostly focused on the ARRL's official study guide, and I thumbed through the "for Dummies" book on and off, learning a bit more for the sake of knowing. I used both test simulations, but preferred the one for my phone since it was easy to just fire that up when I was sitting around waiting for other things. All in all, I'd say I devoted about 3 hours a week over about two months, simply because I planned ahead for my test date and wanted to break everything up into small, manageable chunks for myself. I fail at cramming for tests, but other people have studied one or two evenings, and taken the exams just fine. Again, it all depends on how you learn.
  
  Any more questions, feel free, but there might be a delay in my responses because I am at work all day.