Yes, but I think it is important to stress a few things from the activator’s point of view:
If you do not self-spot (as per e.g. my self-imposed regime), you are at the grace of the RBN etc. ecosystem.
While typically, a spot from RBNhole will appear quickly after the first RBN station spots you, it can also take up to 10 minutes in some (not frequent, but also not super-rare) situations:
a) Frequency close to another station that you cannot hear.
b) A lot of RBN traffic to be processed by RBNhole, e.g. on a contest day.
c) Forced to change your operating frequency after the first RBN spot.
d) Second spot if you inject a few new CQs in idle times, or in order to check propagation.
In particular d) happens often - when the pile-up dries up, I add a few more CQs. This may lead to a new spot that you take as a new opportunity, while I am actually already packing up and ringing the “last order bell”.
When the situation permits, I also try to work all stations on the frequency.
But sometimes I reserve the decision to try a quick QRG to 30m or 20m in order to give a chance to the loyal Spanish chasers or to bet on 1 - 2 DX contacts.
The entire activation on HB/VS-006 (report here) lasted only 18 minutes, from taking off the backpack to making the first step of the descent.
And again, ten minutes on a summit can be really long if
- it is windy, even in Summer;
- the descent is more than a short hike;
- you have a fellow climber with you who is waiting all the time;
- you are activating in Winter,
- or if the weather is anything but perfectly stable.
Anyway, my reply is not a rant in any way, and I think I understand the frustration from a chaser’s perspective. But depending on the situation on the summit, it may look very differently for the activator ;-).
73 de Martin, DK3IT