Oh HOW could I not add my 2c here? (;->) I should add that the Gordon West study manuals are available through the W5WY Group and you can order on line. I found Gordo's method excellent, you can study or you can be a dummy acer (UGH!) and you'll find out why and how when to peek between the pages. Hopefully you'll learn something and follow it up with a few ARRL technical study publications you can also order on line. The reason why I stress technical study is since CEPT has disqualified US licenses due to operator ineptitude thanks to inadequate testing there is this certain feeling of shame about having my country go down the crapper.
Subpart A--General Provisions
Sec. 97.1 Basis and purpose.
The rules and regulations in this part are designed to provide an
amateur radio service having a fundamental purpose as expressed in the
following principles:
(a) Recognition and enhancement of the value of the amateur service
to the public as a voluntary noncommercial communication service,
particularly with respect to providing emergency communications.
(b) Continuation and extension of the amateur's proven ability to
contribute to the advancement of the radio art.
(c) Encouragement and improvement of the amateur service through
rules which provide for advancing skills in both the communication and
technical phases of the art.
(d) Expansion of the existing reservoir within the amateur radio
service of trained operators, technicians, and electronics experts.
(e) Continuation and extension of the amateur's unique ability to
enhance international goodwill.
My point is a ham is supposed to know something about radio communications and the hardware involved, if you have no pride in accomplishment and just want to talk there is always CB.