Getting back on topic… I was licensed on the eve of September 11, 02, when I was in 8th Grade. I was fairly active on my local machine, never missing a net, until I went to Yeshiva. I still have my HT with me, but I rarely find time to get on any machine there. When I iy”H get a car I plan on getting a mag mount so I can hit my home repeater(2m/70cm) from there.
Are you in the NYC area? I’d love to attend a field day, but all the ones I’ve heard of are on Shabbos.