Well I to am an amature and have enjoyed shortwave for quite a number of years. I remember looking in the Sears Catalogue looking at all the shortwave radios like TransOceanics and such. To get started........? Well I guess CB will alow you to participate, where as a Shortwave will only afford listening pleasure. There are a couple monthly mags out there at your larger book stands or book stores in the magazine section. More often than not they are somewhat technical, while others are Amature friendly. You start as an amature, but after a couple purchases from ebay, you soon becomed hooked, and then your collection begins. You quickly learn the ins and outs, the $ part of it and technical aspects of particular units. This goes on untill you find yourself selling some of your collection in favor of collectable units. AT any rate Welcome..