yep, get an all mode wide range receiver and listen to the ham bands.
sort of like a scanner but one that can hear the HF frequencies as well and
that can go on SSB so you can pickup the amateur traffic as well.
Icom makes a few, such as the R75, kenwood has one or two, such as the
R5000.
there are a couple software/hardware bassed wide range receivers such as the
products made by winradio, that are good.
the key here of course is to have a sufficient antenna to receive amateur
traffic on hf.  A top of the set antenna generally doesn't work too well for
HF listening...a 100 foot chunk of wire will usually suffice though for
receiving purposes.

it's not hard to find people with licenses willing to help and elmer a new
ham or someone interested in the hobby.
73
Colin, V A6BKX
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Karim Lakhani" <
[log in to unmask]>
To: <
[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Saturday, February 07, 2009 6:37 PM
Subject: echo link intro

>
> Hi,
> If one is not suppose to buy a ham radio or listen to it on the net how
> does
> one become part of the culture?
> Howard tells me this and others have told me the same you need a person
> with
> a license to hang out with.
> it's  hard to find people available these days with so many other things
> happening in lives.
> Maybe I'm missing something obvious.
> Thanks.
>
>
>
>
> $$$$
> MSN: & EMAIL:
[log in to unmask]
> SKYPE: goldenace4
> Visit The Ice Zone:
>
Http://members.shaw.ca/theicezone
> $$$$
> "History has demonstrated that the most notable winners usually
> encountered
> heartbreaking obstacles before they triumphed.
> They won because they refused to become discouraged by their defeats."
>
> *B. C. Forbes
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Howard Kaufman [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Saturday, February 07, 2009 12:17 PM
> To:
[log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: intro
>
> Not really, because the program won't give you access without varifying
> your
> lisence first.  You certainly can listen or operate echo-link if you are
> in
> the shack of a lisenced ham.
>
>
> -- 
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> 5:28 PM
>
>