Unless in somewhere with a very low population (or high hills) eg some parts of Northern Ireland and Scotland (especially the Outer Hebrides) I use only 2m fm and 70cm and hope that eventually some callers will reply. I don’t use the word ‘chaser’ as the majority of my contacts in most locations do NOT collect SOTA points and many do not know/care what SOTA actually is. Hence I play down the SOTA part of the CQ call and emphasise that ANY reply is very welcome. If, after a lot of calling, I have had no replies or am desparately waiting for the 4th then I mention that in my call and someone in the silent 10 - 50+ (a guess!) people who can hear me will pick up the mike and reply - if only to shut me up!
I am using a Yaesu VX7R with maximum 5w AND (this is the important bit) an overflow water pipe dipole (2m/70cm) which is as high as I can get it (2m+) without having to fight with
a fishing pole. When on a high hill or for many S2S (thanks everyone!) a stick aerial will do but it is no use for getting through to housebound amateurs in rural areas. My tactics are to call on 2m, hopefully get a few contacts and then invite them to join me on 70cm (which is a far bigger challenge as many callers don’t have 70cm/ don’t know how to use it/can’t be bothered - all of which are valid excuses!) Just sometimes I pick up extra people on 70cm and they can QSY back to 2m and give me the extra 2m contact I need!!
What time? - NOT Sunday lunch-time from about 1230 to 1530 BST Generally morning better than afternoon if you are looking for chasers as they expect activators to operate in the morning. I agree it has been easier to get contacts recently as so many more people are working from home - but I notice some have recently disappeared so the office has call them away. Afternoon can be variable/poor with a slight improvement when waiting for children to come out of school or driving home after work. 1730 to 1900 can be dead and evening can be either better or worse.
Tips - if stuck then look through the frequencies and see if there is any traffic. If so listen in and if it seems to a conversation that might not mind being interrupted then try to get in at a suitable moment (using either your call sign or ‘Break’ but I don’t want to start that controversy…) Sometimes they won’t hear you or will ignore you and to others you will be a welcome relief in a boring chat and, with luck, you’ll get 2 contacts or sometimes all 4!!
Otherwise go into a repeater and call around and ask anyone who replies whether they can reach you simplex and this sometimes works. Haven’t had to use this for some years I now realise but you do need the repeaters and their info already in your radio.
I forgot to mention that you can spot yourself IF there is a suitable signal and you have the right kit (which I don’t) however if M0JLA is also operating and has been spotted that some astute people may guess that I am also there… However this method only works for chasers and, as you gathered, you will need ‘real’ people as well in a remote area or at an unusual time
The last tip - I hesitate to mention this… but a female voice may help!! I’m still not sure if it is because it carries better (a popular theory) or the hearer is so surprised that a female is on the radio or is stupid enough to go up a hill (especiallly in grotty weather) and be pleading for a contact that they will reply out of sheer curiosity!
Whatever tactic you employ, if the caller enjoys the contact with you (remember he is probably not collecting the points) then there is more chance that he will pick up the mike next time you come though his headphones.
Good luck and I look forward to a S2s
Viki M6BWA
