Any Ham operators out there?

Do you have to have a license?

My Dad's call sign. W5ZBC. That's old. Really really old.

I too sat on a knee as a child and I have fond memories.

I do know he had to use Morris code to talk to OZ from Louisiana.

There is so much going on in my life I can not fathom making room for HAM. Only way I could conceive of selling it to myself is for its use on the water. I boat a lot. Thing is I just wonder how quiet the air waves are. CB radio was really alive in the 70s its now dead. How is amateur radio now days? IDK? Hate to invest and find it a loss for any modern use at sea. IE is there anyone out there?