KI4KLW here. I got my license when I was 13 and haven't had anything more permanent than a tri-band HT (Yaesu VX-5R) since then. I usually volunteer in more of a coordination role, though, and have been involved with multiple ISS contacts and running communications for the Special Olympics World Winter Games (2009). Been mostly out of the hobby since then, but I've been thinking about getting back into it and upgrading to General and getting into HF.