MichaelR:

True about no one "out there" knowing your age. I started as a young teenager (14) and soon became a highly skilled Morse code (c.w.) operator, gaining respect among associates I contacted. No one judged me by my age -- only by my skills on the air.

The same holds true today; however, after all these years, I've become a lot better known in amateur circles, so most experienced hams around the world know who I am. Being in a "rare" state doesn't hurt, either!

Vermonter