ADVICE FOR THOSE WHO NEED IT ?? (Contents of this page by Webmaster not by IOSA Committee) Advice to new and some regular Chasers from one who has experienced both sides of the coin. Many activator's ask for the last two letters of your call so he/she can make a list, this does not preclude you from giving your full C/sign if you prefer to. The activators c/sign, their report, your c/sign and a qsl? or did you copy?, will normally result in your report. A thank you never goes amiss. If you have NOT COPIED, the activator's c/sign, island, Wab no. etc,TRY LISTENING for them rather than getting a contact and having to ask, this does seem to annoy some activators as they expect you to know what you are doing. In this day and age many Ops do not seem to have the patience to LISTEN before they enter the fray and many activators will tell you they just cannot understand that type of operating. Another thing about LISTENING FIRST is one does not try to make contact whilst the other station is speaking, anybody can make a mistake but there have been times when Chasers for IOSA have sounded like some of the really poor disciplined stations one hears in some DX pileups. Avoid trying to start a QSO in the middle of a pile up, it will not win you friends, on the other hand it is the activator's perogative if he/she decides to do it. Once the pile-up is over and things have gone quiet and if the activator is not going to work another band at that time, you will probably be able to have a chat about equipment, antennas and wx without upsetting anyone. I know it is all about enjoying the hobby, but when propagation has been very poor or QRN has been high, my work station has teeth marks on it, when somebody has decided to start asking questions or trying to hold a QSO in the pile up and I must admit I have lost the odd island because of it. The main purpose of Island chasing is to enjoy it and not take it to seriously, it is after all a hobby and hopefully not an obsession. I appreciate that this does not apply to you or me personally ?? but it sure as heck applies to somebody. 73, Jack, G4ZVD Back