Bring a pen, pencil and paper to take notes with. You have to take only one class to have your spotter ID number issued. The classes are generally held year round. Although there are usually classes scheduled at some point during each month, on occasion there may be a month or two out of the year where no classes are held. This is usually true around the holiday seasons and in peak summer.
Locations vary, depending on the availability of auditoriums, gym's, schools, fire houses, etc.
You are only authorized to use HAM radio bands to report severe weather in your area if you hold a current FCC Ham Radio Operating License. If you do not have one, you can buy books to prepare you for tests and exams offered by local HAM groups. Once you have the license, joining in a severe weather net is easy, and fun. Not at all. Many Skywarn members report severe weather from their home, office or in the field through the phone lines or other ground based communications.