Got my Tech license maybe 30 years ago, but don't really talk - mostly listen occasionally. That's always been the case. I actually got my license so I could legally carry a wideband receiver in the car to listen to the Blue Angles and also a shuttle launch we were attending. Nowadays I listen to the SkyWarn during bad storms. Since I was involved w/RF design, I already knew the tech part of the test, just need to know the rules. So sort of a no brainer to get the Tech license.

My first HT was purchased at the Dayton Hamfest. But the prices for the VHF/UHF Baofeng HT's are crazy cheap (I bought one just to play around with), which is what I think most people would use to get their feet wet in the hobby, then maybe move on to better equipment if needed.

I wouldn't be surprised if a fair chunk of people buying the Baofeng's don't even have their license and use them instead for other purposes.
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Look into attending the Dayton Hamvention: https://hamvention.org/

Been a number of years since I attended, maybe I should make a point of going this year.

Another fun thing to play around with is a cheapie SDR (software defined radio). No transmit, just receive, but neat nonetheless. There's free software that's rather impressive: https://www.rtl-sdr.com/big-list-rtl-sdr-supported-software/

I used one to track aircraft via ADS-B, made an antenna out of a tin can and a short piece of wire. USB interface (works w/Windows), but I used a Raspberry Pi to control it.

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https://www.amazon.com/RTL-SDR-Blog-RTL2832U-Software-Defined/dp/B0129EBDS2/ref=sr_1_3

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I should add the front-end (the part the receives the signal) is probably wide open - no RF filtering (or maybe a little at the band edges). So a nearby TV station, cell tower, even noisy electronics gizmo in the house can affect sensitivity. Just something to be aware of. Not a design defect, just the way it is. If you stick a wire on it next to the computer...you'll likely pick up a bunch of trash.

I've heard it's just an ultra-wideband amplifier used in the cable TV industry, repurposed. But a great, low cost option to play around with.

Here's some planes I tracking with a Rasp Pi and a SDR, via ADS-B.

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Last time I went was maybe the last year at Hara. So what's the current place like? Might finally get off my retired tush this year and attend just to get out of the house.