I've been a Ham for many years and to get to my level of license I did have to pass a 20 wpm code test. Today's standards are much different, no code is required for any level of licensing. Kids 6yrs. old are passing the written exams. When I was conducting test sessions, kids 10 yrs. of age were passing 20wpm code tests also. But those days are gone for code.
Being a Ham is like having a tool in the shed you may or may not use daily. Myself, I use it daily to keep in touch with friends while commuting around. Not much of a rag chewer myself either (chit chat).
With this latest event, my wife ran down the hill to run errands. we didn't want to tie up repeater usage so we transmitted directly which is called "simplex". She finished her errands and called for what we may need from Stater Bros. I gave her a short list on air and the shopping was done.
It's all in how you perceive your need. However, when all other communications fail Ham radio will always work. 99% of Ham repeaters are on some kind of back up power, solar, battery, generator. The repeaters are programed to auto switch if shore power fails.
Those monstrous antennae you refer to are used for low frq. use. I do have them and have used them during earthquakes, Y2K rollover, Katrina, and the Japan earthquake as well as keeping in contact with old friends in the northern states. So if you have loved ones living in tornado country or other disaster prone areas, it may be a good idea to get to know one of those Hams that has the gear to communicate around the world. They may end up being you best friend.
BTW, I met my wife via Ham radio while working communications for Air Shows. She was licensed before I was.
