Mostly I go on RX, maybe also on TX giving a few points away.
It never fails to amaze me how far away I can copy stations with just my 144 MHz big-wheel omni antenna. The RSGB contest has not even started yet I have already spotted stations in the Netherlands and France out to 347km on 70cm. Also spotted the Isle of Man and DK1VC (503km) in Germany.
I have often wondered if I can receive that far by some kind of scatter.