Solent area non SSB net???

So, I came back to CB! There has been some changes in the contact scene which I like, and seems parallel to a more correct communication procedure. However, where I live there is either a complete void on 19 or it is swamped by music players, dead keyer’s and general bucket mouthers running big burners. I am not fortunate enough to own an SSB rig yet so feel like I’m losing out. Is there a channel and time in the Solent area where we can generally try and get some local contacts without fancy gear?
Would be interested in hearing from anyone in the Solent area to see what you think? There is a lot I don’t yet understand about nets and repeaters etc... just a simple lad running simple gear but would like to get some legit use from it
73’s to all

Hi Mike,

I'm not from the area but the UK CB net map shows 'The Solent Radio Club Net' running daily on Ch38 UKFM 27.79125MHz.
Don't know if this is still active but might be worth listening or calling out in case?
(Perhaps someone from that area or on that net can confirm?)

It can be a shock returning to CB, I know it was for me. It's definitely not like the old days that's for sure 
Unfortunately some aspects are the same, as you mention the bucket mouths and potential DJs. (Can't fathom why this still happens?!?!)
Even if you go Sideband you can still find the bad examples there as Sideband rigs are more readily available nowadays.

I know, doesn't sound good but often worth sticking with it if you're prepared to.

I've enjoyed Sideband as I'm lucky enough to own a radio with those capabilities, the summer DX has been good.
But the best DX I've had were some surprised young Germans on FM who were running simple rigs and barefoot enjoying practicing their English language skills with me 
It was lucky summer skip but held on for the evening long enough to be enjoyed by them and myself.

However....they were on Euro frequencies, not UK.

It might be worth a look at a modern CB that has both UK & EU frequencies, simple rigs with AM and FM modes are available for around £40. That's not a huge outlay and opens more possibilities. France isn't too far away from you! 


You might get suggestions of pursuing a Ham licence to further your radio interests and that's fair enough if you want to go that route. If the fun of CB is your main interest then it may require a little work.

You could get a friend interested and despite modern communication technology set a night aside for a CB transmission chat. Do it the same time on the same day of the week and maybe someone else will hear and pop in. That's how a lot of nets used to come about!

You might get a bucket mouth thinking they've found new victims but ignore them and stick with it. Let them get bored before you do and you'll be triumphant.

I can't think of much more to suggest really. I just know it's a crying shame to see people come back to CB, become disillusioned and give it up as a bad lot. I hope that doesn't happen for you.


All the best,
Victor

Hi Victor,
Thanks for a great reply. I had heard it mentioned about ch38... just not heard any traffic.  I have a rig with the EU channels but what I found is the Polish truck and van drivers round here mainly use Polish channels and only speak Polish and I’ve not heard a peep on other channels!
Still,  you’re advice has given me hope that there is life out there... somewhere! 
I had also considered foundation licence.   The cost is ok just don’t really fancy  spending two whole sundays in a classroom.... maybe later
Thanks for the info and support

Regards
Mike

No worries Mike, glad it helped a little.


It's all too easy to dive back into the excitement of CB and be left a bit dispondent, as I mentioned that almost happened to me.

Luckily I regard it all as just another hobby, so if I'm in my office I fire up the radio and have a listen, if nothings going on I get on with other stuff. If I'm on my tablet I check out here on Charlie Tango and maybe fire up a webSDR for a listen, see if any propogation is in. I also pop on my phone every so often running webSDR again to check out radio propogation and if anything exciting is going on I rush as fast as my hobbly leg can carry me to fire up the radio

It's all just another part of me and my interests, I keep a finger in and an ear on.


On the Ham/Amateur licence route remember it's all available online now.
Essex Ham do online courses, couple of hours a week for three weeks if you need the training. Or get a copy of the Foundation Licence Manual, (£5.89 at the mo on eBay including post), pretty much everything you'd need to know in there for the Foundation. Plus the exam is available online.
So long as you have a Windows PC or Apple, broadband internet and video call capabilities it couldn't get easier.
(Unfortunately not all of us own a Windows PC, Mac or other such so lost out, me included!)


Anyway mate, I wish you all the best with it and good luck with anything you do.

Best regards,
Victor

Hi Victor, thanks again for the info.  I wasn't aware that the course and exam were available on line!  I know most things are these days so why I thought otherwise, heaven knows.  I will look into that ASAP
Also, I'm not fully understanding the web version of radio yet.  I have found Broadcastify, and have listened to some chatter on there but I assume access to this is licence only?

Thanks again
Mike

No problem Mike,

Lockdown pushed ahead the online exams and Essex Ham have offered online courses for some time now.
An advantage of the online exam is that the practical assessments have been dropped due to social distancing issues. I think you can now even take the Intermediate exam too!

Most web based radio are receive only, I believe there are some transmission ones but obviously you'd need to be licenced for transmit.

I use weSDR for listening, the link is as follows -

websdr.org


You can simply scroll down the list of active sites/receivers, search by country, bands or frequencies or scroll to the bottom for an interactive world map. You can get a flavour of the Ham bands around the world, HF, VHF, UHF and even satellite reception, plus many cover CB frequencies too.

I tend to use the G0XBU site often, you'll get a flavour of the local bucket mouths on UK 19 up there, but it also covers the EU bands as well as the inbetween freebanding frequencies, (SSB triple 5 etc.) Useful for checking if any propogation is in.

You could get lost in that site for hours, I know I did at first!


Anyway Mike, I think I've left you with enough to chew on for now. Been a pleasure

All the best,
Victor