It's definitely still worth getting into, and in many ways it's more accessible than ever. Equipment prices are lower than ever, and there is so much information available on nearly any subject within the hobby.
A few hot things right now:
* FT8 and other weak-signal digital modes are so good at long-distance communication that it almost feels like magic.
* Software-defined radio (SDR) opens up a new world of cheap signal processing. This is why a $300 radio today can outperform a $3000 radio from a decade ago, or why you can buy a NanoVNA vector network analyzer for $65 and it fits in your hand, rather than paying $5000 for a used HP VNA that barely fits on your desk.
* Near-field communications, like RFID and keyfob hacking. The Flipper Zero is a fun little widget for this.
Personally, I enjoy FT8, CW/Morse code with a straight key or bug, antenna design (wire antennas are cheap and endlessly tweakable), and portable operation. I'm interested in amp design as well, but that's mostly confined to reading circuits and daydreaming. :)
Just a comment, genuine NanoVNA V2 costs a good bit more than $65, but still extremely accessible for what it offers. Cheap clones have measurably dubious performance.
Oh boy... I have no idea what I own, then. Only that it cost around $65 and is very, very much like a NanoVNA v1. High-frequency performance is not important to me (I use this to analyze HF antennas, generally 1.5-30 MHz) so what I have is likely fine, but I hate buying a clone without knowing it.
A few hot things right now: * FT8 and other weak-signal digital modes are so good at long-distance communication that it almost feels like magic. * Software-defined radio (SDR) opens up a new world of cheap signal processing. This is why a $300 radio today can outperform a $3000 radio from a decade ago, or why you can buy a NanoVNA vector network analyzer for $65 and it fits in your hand, rather than paying $5000 for a used HP VNA that barely fits on your desk. * Near-field communications, like RFID and keyfob hacking. The Flipper Zero is a fun little widget for this.
Personally, I enjoy FT8, CW/Morse code with a straight key or bug, antenna design (wire antennas are cheap and endlessly tweakable), and portable operation. I'm interested in amp design as well, but that's mostly confined to reading circuits and daydreaming. :)
Hope you find something you enjoy in here.
-Pete K1QG