Full disclosure: ham radio isn’t for everyone, and there are many different facets to it. What appeals to one person might bore another to death. One area of ham radio that has changed a lot …
Also, the license gives one some knowledge about what one is actually doing with the transceiver. Without that it isn’t really a hobby anyway. It just becomes an illegal walkie talkie.
Tbh, I can’t condone that as a ham myself. And yes, you can be caught. It happens all the time and fines are hefty.
The basic ham license (called “Technician”) is very easy and cheap. Just get one.
It happens all the time?
Relative to the prevalence of ham as a hobby
Yes. It is not uncommon.
Also, the license gives one some knowledge about what one is actually doing with the transceiver. Without that it isn’t really a hobby anyway. It just becomes an illegal walkie talkie.