No Burt, you're right. Radio clubs guys are just what you described. But usually they can explain a lot of mathematics and formulas in simple sentences.
I always wanted to learn about radio by myself, I learned a shit load of stuff reading, but radio isn't one of those, is pretty boring and huge, I didn't even knew were to start.
Also in the radio clubs the guys have radios for every band, measurement equipment and antennas that you won't be able to have for yourself, they are extremely expensive, and some bands need really big antennas, I'm talking about 40 meters long wires.