I activate and chase, and I like both.
When I chase, I tend to think how the activator will be, out in the nature. My qso is then something like a thank gesture for the effort the operator is doing.
Chasing from home, with decent antennas is easier.
But when I am using my Sota gear to chase during my holidays the feeling is a bit different and I feel more rewarded.
Just as an example, some days ago, here in my parent’s in law village, I woke up, saw a spot and jumped out of my bed to find with decent signals @VK5CZ calling CQ alone from Sota. To my surprise he got my call with 10w. What a surprise!
I was using a short wire in the attic of a two store house, not the best antenna but I am enjoying every single chase on this simple setup.
A few days ago I found @HB9DQM calling in 17m SSB, where I have high SWR. I reduced power to 2w and gave a brief call on CW. We did the qso Cross Mode!
What could I say? After more than 10 years chasing Sota, not intensively, I still enjoy and have big satisfaction.
It’s so great to have this regular contacts with frequent friends from all over the world!
SOTA, what else?
73 Ignacio