Im a DX Chaser. I dont care to chat much as it can be a pian when your on the key. I do phone communicatiins too but not as much. Im not a gun nut so not part of the nra. CW will get you farther. Plus folks that use a key are much more friendly if you do strike up a conversation. HF is the only bands i use really. I can do vhf and uhf but unless you want to use repeaters, your not going to get very far.

Get your Extra Class Lic. In those special parts of the bands for Extra's they are more friendly and have got to the point that they dont feel they need to run more power than needed.