Getting a technicians license is probably easier than you think. I've heard of amateur radio clubs putting on all Saturday classes with people taking the test

Getting a technicians license is probably easier than you think. I've heard of amateur radio clubs putting on all Saturday classes with people taking the test at the end. VHF radios aren't expensive, in fact they're importing some from China that are dirt cheap. Course if you want to work on the HF bands then it requires a bit more work to get the higher class licenses.