Thanks for the kind words, everyone, re the ATAG Server. Yes, Teamspeak is a must. Fortunately we're a friendly bunch.
Sometimes I'll turn Teamspeak off just to try flying from a newcomer's perspective. Keeping a Custom Window open with server messages and chat dialogue is helpful, but I still feel isolated from the action. Even cruising around the England-side "hotspots" like Hawkinge and Manston is usually unproductive. A 6+ plane dogfight can be swirling away just a couple of miles from you, or 5,000 feet above, and you can easily miss it. Unfortunately, a pair of high roving 109's are not about to miss YOU! LOL
With Teamspeak you have many pairs of eyes linked to you, and frequently 8 guns to chase a bandit off your tail! It IS fun being on comms with you guys, I gotta say!