RE "it's social", at least over on HF there are a lot of activities where the expectation is just a signal report and a thank you. In particular POTA/SOTA, DX'ing, contesting, and special event stations. And then there's FT8/FT4 where there's no way to have a conversation. But they're fun because it takes some skill, there's an element of chance, and there's usually some kind of goal (work 100 countries, all states, 500 parks, contact the battleship Iowa, etc)
My logbook has about 4500 QSOs and I'd be surprised if 25 of them got past the weather. But by the same token I've had some really interesting random encounters.
For me, getting my General (and then Extra) really made the hobby for me. I probably wouldn't be that into it if I was limited to talking with local people on the repeater.
My logbook has about 4500 QSOs and I'd be surprised if 25 of them got past the weather. But by the same token I've had some really interesting random encounters.
For me, getting my General (and then Extra) really made the hobby for me. I probably wouldn't be that into it if I was limited to talking with local people on the repeater.