I'd have to check my logs, but it was something like spring or early summer. Honestly though the solar cycle has a much larger effect on propagation, and right now we're near solar maximum so things are really hopping. At the beginning of COVID we were just starting to come out of solar minimum.

I haven't been super active lately, so I can't comment on how often you'd be able to make contact. But with some coordination it's definitely doable. Especially if you get some decent metal in the air.

You still have US citizenship? You might be able to do your testing in the USA over zoom and use a reciprocal license, though I haven't looked deeply into it.