Okay, what do I do with my rig(s) and license? Here are some ideas.
I heard (read) about an upcoming contest. I'm not really into competition (my station isn't sophisticated enough). Okay, I can understand that. Are you perhaps interested in helping with emergency communications? Wonder if your station "cuts the butter"?
Folks involved in Emergency Communication (EMCONN), either with their local club, ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Service), RACES (Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service), MARS (Military Affiliate Radio System), SATERN (Salvation Army Communications), RED CROSS or other served agency routinely participate (a couple of times a year) in drills, known as COMEX (Communication Exercise).
If so, a VHF Contest is an excellent chance to find out if you station can indeed "cut the butter". During the contest you get to communicate with other stations. You DO NOT need "top drawer" fancy radios or "big antenna's". If band conditions are good you may work both local and distance stations. If 10 or 6 meter propagation is good, maybe you will work stations down south, in the Caribbean or Europe! Just remember, if on FM only simplex frequencies are used - no repeater operation.
Contact me, we can discuss it and I will try to answer your questions. Tom, WB2KLD