Yeah,

Your ground might have been poor.

You're using a pedal, right, not just the contactor switch? I mean, if there's a sequencer (4T) selection, maybe you have it on with start amps set way too high, even when using a pedal. Anyway, keep the start amps always to minimum, unless you want a little crisper start, up to around 25 amps. Otherwise, keep set to Pedal/Remote, not 4T or 2T.

"Gas turned way up" is not usually good either, as too much can create harder arc starting. 15 CFH for a #7 cup is plenty, or even too much for a fillet joint. So, 15 CFH may be fine for a #10 cup, unless you get start getting "pepper" in the puddle.

A tight arc (1/16") is alway a key point too.

Please let us know how it goes, and upload pics of your progress.

Yeah, 220 AC Frequency is a bit extreme for learning on. Try 100 Hz.