Whether they are providing communications during a parade or providing critical backup communications after a natural disaster (hurricane, blizzard, tornado, etc.), Amateur Radio has a long history in providing public service and emergency communications. While some say it’s just a hobby, FCC Regulations say, "Recognition and enhancement of the value of the amateur service to the public as a voluntary noncommercial communication service, particularly with respect to providing emergency communication."

And with amateur radio, there are so many facets of the hobby that are available:
VHF/UHF Repeaters
Automated Packet/Position Reporting System (APRS)
Amateur Television (ATV)
Voice Over IP (VOIP)
And more

So how can you be part of a radio hobby that also is involved in helping others?

To communicate on the Amateur Bands, you must hold a valid Amateur Radio License. The most basic license class is the Technician Class License. To obtain this you must pass a 35 question, multiple choice exam. The exam covers basic FCC regulations regarding operating practices, basic electronic theory and frequency allocations.

But where does one start?

Before you can take the test you have to study. Here are a few places you can purchase study guides from...
ARRL.org
Gordon West Study Guide

Or you can check out these free study guides online...

The No-Nonsense, Technician Class License Study Guide
Element 2 Study Guide

Now that you've studied, it's time to take some practice tests to see how well you know the material...
http://www.hamtestonline.com/study.jsp
http://aa9pw.com/radio/
http://www.qrz.com/p/testing.pl
http://www.eham.net/exams/
http://www.hamuniverse.com/code.html
http://www.w4pw.us/hamtests.htm
http://www.handiham.org/node/52
http://www.w8mhb.com/exam/
http://www.hamquick.com/tutorial_main.php
http://www.arrl.org/arrlvec/pools.html

Once you pass the practice exams every time you can feel assured that you have a good chance of passing the real exam! Now it's time find a testing session near you.

There are several Volunteer Examination programs in the US. Click on a group below to find an examination site near you:
Amateur Radio Relay League (ARRL)
The WFYI Group
The Laurel Group

Some clubs host classes in addition to the exams. Some classes are two day sessions with an exam at the end of the second day, while some combine a class and exam all into one day.

Check out the ARRL site for a class near you.

CONGRATULATIONS! YOU PASSED!

Remember, you do not need to wait for the paper copy of your license to arrive in the mail. As soon as it is published on the FCC Database you may begin using your license.

Now that you have passed there are several things you need to do, First of all, you need to get your radio equipment purchased and installed. Some things to consider when planning to buy radios and antennas:
What exactly are your plans? (type of operating? type of bands?)
What is your budget?
Where will you be operating from? (house? car? both?)

You don’t need to have a brand new rig right out of the gate, one thing many new hams seem to forget, poor feedline (coax) and a poor antenna can make the best radio perform very poorly. While at the same time, good quality feedline and antenna can make an average/old rig perform very well.

Rather than reinvent the wheel, I'll share this link. Someone has put together a good guide on purchasing the first radio. http://www.eham.net/newham/firstradio

Also, several sites have product reviews to rate different radios and antennas. Some of these reviews may help when it comes to deciding what radio you want to buy:
http://www.eham.net/reviews/
http://www.n0hr.com/HamRadioReviews/

Places to purchase amateur radio equipment
Texas Towers http://www.texastowers.com/
* R & L Electronics http://www.randl.com/shop/index.shtml
* Ham Radio Outlet http://www.hamradio.com/
* Amateur Electronic Supply http://www.aesham.com/
Ham City http://www.hamcity.com/

* - may send you a free catalog upon request

You can also purchase equipment on EBay, or at hamfests (amateur radio swapmeets, not a festival for pork products, there is a story behind this comment)
The ARRL has a hamfest search link; you can search by State, ARRL Section, or Zip Code. http://www.arrl.org/hamfests.html

Other useful links

Amateur Radio Informational Sites
http://www.eham.net/
http://www.qrz.com
http://www.arrl.org
A website listing repeaters in the US searchable by State and City http://www.artscipub.com/repeaters/

VOIP Echolink/IRLP links (linking repeaters via high speed internet)
http://www.echolink.org/
http://www.irlp.net/

Amateur Radio / Weather Nets
VOIP Skywarn-Hurricane Net http://www.voipwx.net/
Hurricane Watch Net http://www.hwn.org/
A list of the SKYWARN frequencies by state compiled by one of the Skywarn Online members Ken KA8OAD http://pages.sssnet.com/kend/repeaterlist.php

ARES/RACES (Amateur Radio Emergency Services / Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Services) information
http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/regulations/faq-ares-races.html

APRS information
http://aprs.org/
http://www.findu.com/
http://www.cave.org/aprs/
http://www.tapr.org/~kh2z/aprsplus/
http://www.winaprs.com/
http://www.dxzone.com/catalog/Software/APRS/
http://www.wb4fay.com/aprs_software.html