Yaesu Amateur Radio

I passed my intermediate a couple of years back. I loved both the foundation and intermediate training. Great teachers, interesting topics.

I've tried a few times to get on the air (mostly vhf due to lack of space), and every time without fail, the people on the other end are, well... not particularly welcoming, and on occasion quite rude to newbies.

I'm considering going for a full license, just because the learning is fun. But after that, I don't know if I'll ever make use of it.

Can anyone here recommend ways to use my intermediate (and eventually hopefully full) licence to communicate with people who aren't unkind?

I realise that not all operators are like this, I think I've just been unlucky.