If you're talking about the standard 'gray' aliens, then I believe the first recorded encounter was Betty and Barney Hill. Since then there have been lots of other similarly described encounters.
And if you put any stock in these accounts, maybe we usually depict them as humans because they look like humans...
Honestly I think it depends. I've got my license and the only people I've really contacted have been old farts in the surrounding communities. Ham radio has a ton of potential but I think a limiting factor people aren't thinking about is who is going to be on the other side that is actually capable of helping you.
That being said it's an option you didn't have before and the barrier to entry is pretty low in terms of effort and cost so I say give it a shot!
Guarantee it was a very reasonable burger and this person just wanted to bitch and moan
It's probably loud as fuck
What do you have to lose by being friends with the people you work with?