That depends a lot on where you are and what you're doing. I took my amateur test at the Marin Amateur Radio Society and joined the club and the people there

That depends a lot on where you are and what you're doing. I took my amateur test at the Marin Amateur Radio Society and joined the club and the people there were very helpful in helping me to learn how to use my equipment. I did a number of events with them and have had good experiences (mostly providing radio support for events like bike rides and long distance runs) Though I've pretty much stuck with VHF/UHF comms, haven't really tried anything on HF, maybe that's where the grouchy old timers hang out. I live far from the bay area now, but still check in to my local area nets once in a while just to make sure my equipment is working and they all seem nice enough.