So I'm back from hamfest. It's crazy how this happened right when I was looking for just this kind of information. Sighed up to DRC with the help of gnihcraes, thanks. Did not spend much time taking with him, but my brain was pretty overwhelmed. Spent a little money on programming software for the Baofeng and picked another one up and a big battery and car port thing. There is a lot for me to learn but this HAM radio is not as intimidating as first thought. I think once I get a chance to learn a little more then I will GTG.