[dewdude]

Hey,

Much like you; I'm planning on jumping in to ham radio.

Tech license is not hard; I don't know how the ARRL app works but I've been using hamstudy.org - the entire question pools are up in practice exams, review, and flash card format. For someone like me who's done a lot of radio stuff; most of it is easy.

Study for the general while you're at it! You can take both (or all three actually) tests at the same exam session; and it's basically one fee till you fail. General test doesn't look that hard; and worst case is you fail out at the test and just have a tech license. Plenty of clubs offer classes to move up to General or higher.

If you've got the ability to listen it; that might be handy for maybe not only getting an idea of who in your area is out there; but listening to how they make the calls and converse will prove useful.

Since you're going to a hamfest; you'll probably find a radio for a good deal.