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Do activators want to be chased on multiple bands?

#8

Yes, if I work all three bands to the same station it is a delight and it doesn’t happen often. Operating 2m , 4m and 23cm, the 2m contact provides an alert / warm up for the 4m and 23cm operation. The bands are quite different in character. I also have chasers who want specific bands so provided there is plenty of 2m QSOs this acts as an alert to listen on the other bands.

I shall be in G/WB land on Thur and Fri this week so contacts on these three bands will be welcome as it will be quite a challenge on the wooded tops.

73 de Andrew G4VFL.

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#9

…me too!

#10

It hasn’t happened often on my activations, but when I was contacted on two bands (I currently have only 40m and 20m capacity) the difference in received and sent RST on the two bands was fascinating. So count me in for the “yes” votes.

#11

My response is in agreement with others, but I have a slightly different reasoning.
Over here in Yankeeville there’s the nefarious organization that plays to the audience of corporate money grab. They want the amateur bands.
One thing I like about SOTA IOTA and LOTW is to compilation of logs. We can demonstrate the bands ARE BEING USED AND VALUABLE TO AMATEUR OPERATORS.
We need every thing we can muster to protect the bands. Every activation, every contact, every log, is critical to establish these bands must remain on the hands of amateurs.
If it doesn’t get recorded, it never happened.
Victor KI7MMZ

3 Likes
#12

I’m especially happy to hear from a chaser I’ve already logged when calling CQ repeatedly on a new band and getting no response. Likewise, I’ll send my call on additional bands as a chaser if I don’t hear anyone responding to the activator’s CQ to let them know that their signal is getting out somewhere.
Peter KD0YOB

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#13

I like to work each activator on each band if possible when I hear them. Let them know how they sound on the Right Coast near the ocean in the flatlands. And I also try to work as many W5N stations as I can on all the bands I can for their awards. That is a big help in getting to the chase. I also try not to tie up the additional bands if they are doing multiple activations. My $.02. de John Paul // AB4PP

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#14

As an activator I enjoy multiple chases on multiple bands. Once the first 4 are in the log I enjoy logging other contacts. I consider the chasers to be my friends and it is always good to hear from friends. I generally work 10Mhz, and 14Mhz and often 7Mhz for morning propagation.
As a chaser I work the activator on I first frequency I can copy; then I will wait until the pileup is gone before calling on another frequency.

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#15

Yes, one day in ten or more years time I might analyse my logs and find I have qualified for an award on a specific band or mode. I’m accumulating points on CW at present to reach 1k on that mode, but I’d be interested in all bands and modes. Imagine the 5BMG!

But in general it is good to make as many contacts as are feasible. When I’m pushed for time, I say so, so duplicates are not sought then.
Andrew VK1DA/VK2UH

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#16

First time I was called be a chaser on 20m I just had worked at 40m i was surprised. I thougt by myself:… maybe the qso on 40 was not complet for him. He ist much louder here. OK!..

During the period I make SOTA I often had contacts on different bands with the same chaser - and its ok for me.

But I don’t need it. I change the bands to give other regions a chance to work the summit where I am.

Untill now i actually didn’t spend much time on each summit… when the pile up is over I call 2 or 3 times again, maybe I change the band (if its open) … and very often I change the summit after 15 min activity… trying to do 4 - 5 summits on a free day.

I m a little bit in hurry, to reach the herd… I think - it will change soon :wink: … I will spend more time on each summit…

73 Armin

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#17

QSO is QSO, does not matter points or else.

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#18

Yes, please, as many QSOs as possible!

I don’t haul all that gear up the hill just to get 4 QSOs and score the points. I do it to have fun working as many chasers as possible. I usually stay on each band for ten or fifteen minutes, but for me it is quite frustrating to yell CQ into the void after initial pileup, and get no reply.
And I don’t mind repeating my call and report as many times as necessary to get into the log of some distant station who picks me out of the noise.

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#19

Personally, I’m more than happy to take calls on multiple bands. On the 1st of March 2014, while activating G/SP-014 and when the HF bands were in much better shape, I was chased by VK2DAG on 12m, 17m and 20m.

Contacts such as these, I’ll take all day long.

4 Likes
#20

I, too, have no problem with contacts in multiple bands. It is interesting to check propagation and it furthers the camaraderie among operators. I particularly appreciate multiple contacts when I have a Boy Scout or my child with me in an activation and contact is made with them. I think we had two contacts Brian Monday if memory serves (W5T/NT037) and that was much appreciated. The kids are so excited they get to participate and SOTA and POTA chasers have been universally cordial and patient with the kids.

#21

Brian,
Yes, most welcome, after the initial pileup flurry, just to get a propagation comparison, band-to-band
All Best, Ken K6HPX

#22

I enjoy multiple calls from chasers because it’s fun to get calls. Also band comparison is interesting. I’ll admit though that I am shy to chase an activator on multiple bands thinking they might get annoyed. But with all the positive response to this question I will be more comfortable to do so. Tnx, Scott kw4jm

#23

Most of the time I welcome chasers calling on multiple bands. The only times this is not true are the following:

  1. Bad weather is moving in and I want to finish up and give the points to the new chasers
  2. There is a big pile of chasers and I want to get through it
  3. Often I’m looking for S2S contacts, and the multiple band contacts are using up limited time on the summit
  4. S2S activators are actually calling me, and the repeat chasers are calling

In general I will go a little faster and make quicker contacts when these conditions occur. I have been impressed how many of my chasers can sense this and how they cooperate with me. Many chasers are fine operators - as well as activators - who understand exactly what is happening as they participate in the pile. One of the best features of SOTA today is this friendly connection we have.

When calling CQ and little is happening, chasers coming back on different bands is most welcome. I have several chasers who contact me on 3 or 4 HF bands when possible, and this is fun. Most of them are quick!

73

George
KX0R

5 Likes
#24

If I recall correctly, my record is working the same chaser on 4 different bands (HF + VHF) from a single summit. It certainly doesn’t bother me at all, indeed it is good to get a comparison between bands. I would rather have a genuine chaser call me several times than be called by a rag-chewer who wants to provide me with every minute detail of his station, plus what he had for breakfast!

I totally agree. Even after over 600 activations (SOTA, HEMA and WWFF), I still find it strange that the frequency will suddenly go quiet. However, it is often worthwhile staying on frequency for a few minutes for late comers and I take this time to have a bite to eat and a drink.

73, Gerald

#25

I don’t mind multiple contacts on multiple bands but I’d prefer they wait until the pile-up on the additional band is over. When the well runs dry, I always call CQ and THEN is the time for the 2nd chase to jump in. Otherwise, they are in the mix with the new band chasers. my $0.02. Dean ~ K2JB

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#26

As a chaser yes i do chase multiple bands especially if in UK for the WAB squares or even a DXCC am after but as a not often activator do like to run many bands as i can. When am up G/DC-003

All being well this year like to go low as 160m and high as 6 and 2m

Karl

#27

Thanks for the feedback all, this was a good and enlightening discussion. My takeaway: in general, “work 'em if ya got 'em” except in mitigating circumstances such as early pileups and declared short or fraught activations. If nothing else it’s certainly encouragement not to leave a CQ hanging just because I worked them already on another band.

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