It has been a long time since I started to learn what ham radio was all about. Way back in the mid to late 50's my Uncle in Pittsfield NH. introduced me to an older ham operator that he delivered fire wood to. I spent my weekends in Pittsfield and after meeting this older ham radio operator, he took me under his wing and mentored me. I didn't always have a ride available, so would take the horse at the farm and ride him the 4 miles up the dirt road to his farm. Tied up the horse to a tree and learned about radio and antennas. Did this every weekend that the weather was decent. We would go outside and work on his antennas or repair one of his many radios with tubes that had a problem.
Once I made it to High School in the early 60's, I was involved with the radio club there. They took me in and taught me more about electronics and radios. It was there that I managed to obtain my Tech license.
That tech license opened up a new world to me and met some more interesting people. I can remember W1CXX, Jack Wilson, if my memory serves me correctly. He also took me under his wing to pull me along and get interested in HF communications. Jack also introduced me to Sam Harris, W1BU who was a character. Sam built a 6 meter amp. that hung from a couple of huge spikes driven into the wooden wall. Sam had the theory that if his antenna made it through the winter, it was not large enough. They have both become silent keys years ago and their calls issued to other people.
Both of these people were my mentor to learn about electronics and ham radio. It lit a fire under me to go for a higher license over the years. This is why I keep pushing for people to act as mentors to the junior people that are coming up in the ranks and just need a little push.
Getting a higher license is important to raise your skills and knowledge of radio and antennas. This is why I try and bend over backwards when I hear people on the local repeaters with radios that don't have good audio on them or are asking for help. I offer to have them come over to my house and see what we can do for them. Plus it provides them a chance to see all the stuff laying around my shop and it gets them asking questions. That's the first step to learning more than you do now.