There is a lot you can do with ham radio: Talk around town, state, country, world, and much more. You can send and receive television signals, all kind of data (RTTY, packet, FAX) you can communicate via satellites. Just about every astronaut gets a ham license becaluse the International Space Station has a ham transceiver and they talk to schools and just plain hams like me. There are even contests and awards and such. Many hams are involved in public service (usually the people at marathon and bike races with the radios) and in time of emergencies, you hear a lot about the hams setting up the communications with the "outside world".
There are three classes of licenses: technician, general, and extra. There is a FCC multiple choice test for each of them. Start with the technician test.(35 questiona) You can take a practive one at:
http://www.qrz.com/p/testing.pl
The license is free, but the FCC test session costs $14. You do not have to be a citizen and there is no age limit. The license is valid for 10 years and then renewals are free. What a deal
We encourage our team to get a ham license. Currently 10 have them and a few more will take the test in a month. It's fantastic on "away trips" and the knowlwdge that we have to learn to pass the test, basic electronics, basic emergency communications, rules and regulations, etc. is good stuff for a "techie" to know anyway.
Like FIRST, the ham community is very encouraging. Chances are, there is a ham in your neighborhood, or even a club, that would be happy to assist you. In turn, you may discover a new FIRST mentor!
Ask me anything and let me know how I can help you.
Allan, N7UJJ <-- ... and you earn your own unique callsign!