Congrats VE4DTD.
These guys used to have a weekly net but I don't know if they are still active. Check with Bob and see.
http://www.qsl.net/ve3bdb/
There are a few of us in the southeast of Blighty that run our 19 sets.
You may be surprised at the distance that can be reached with just a barefoot set. My best dx was Vancouver to Kingston, Ont. using only issued set and aerial.