I myself did not know any amateur radio operator but read about it on the internet. I then did some research on what is needed to get on air - which is a license. Without a license, you can buy gear and listen to the airwaves (but are not allowed to press the PTT button) or listen to shortwave communications via WebSDR. Some people visit local amateur radio clubs, learn stuff there and get help. I went the following route:

* I decided that I want to get the beginner license first, then do a second exam for the big license

* bought some books for exam preparation

* bought a cheap 30€ handheld radio to listen to local repeater traffic while studying

* downloaded an exam preparation training tool

* worked through the material halfway through

* have registered for an exam

* stood up every morning at 5 and learned 2h before the family woke up for two months

* did the exam, got the beginner license

* studied another two months

* got the big license

* met other amateur radio operators a year after that ;)

Here are some links:

* this is the site of your country's club: https://rsgb.org/main/clubs/club-finder/

* the amateur radio subreddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/

There is so much more to write and I don't know where to start, but here are some fun facts:

* you don't have to learn morse code anymore for the license in most countries

* for local communicaiton, a budget of 30-100€ is sufficient

* for world wide shortwave communication, a budget of 400 to 700 can be sufficient when buying used

* you can do digi modes (computer to computer communication) instead of talking to people. This helped me the first year to get into it since i was mic shy.

* the community is awesome, people share their knowledge and help each other

* you can buy a digital handheld radio for around 200€ and work the world without any antennas over the internet. For some not the real thing, for others a blast.