CB on the Canals

I don't know if this is the correct place to start the ball rolling but I have prepared a discussion document to explain the topic in greater detail (it is in PDF format) and want to send it as an attachment but there doesn't seem any obvious way of attaching it.

Could you please advise me if (a) the subject is likely to be of any interest to the group and if so, (b) how to send the discussion document file

73's, Dave 26CT487

I would be interested.

Perhaps you could save it to your Google drive and share a link to it?

Here is the link, hopefully you will get it

Try again, confidence is low
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zIvF6Pcjh-GqnR8V6q6NdURJ9Y8xSShT/view?usp=drivesdk

Hi Dave,

I don't think there is a way of attaching PDF documents here on the forum but great that you provided a google drive link which I read with interest.

I'm not so sure that long passages of text work well with forums often writing long postings myself which sometimes garner little interest but I still attempt to do so in the spirit of radio.

It was interesting how you accommodate various licence free radio systems rather than a typical marine radio direction but had a few concerns regards pursuing a 'standardised' channel system. Before you know it everyone wants a channel to themselves and accordingly there will be self appointed 'police' requesting that such channels are kept clear.

With my own Amateur Radio pursuits I know that I could be talking to a friend of mine as he drives around and inadvertently he moves into someone elses reception range. This can lead to the typical 'this frequency is in use' exclamations and even though I don't hear them he apologises and communicates to me a new frequency to use.

Although a canal boat is much slower the possibility of moving into another legitimate users radio 'space' is still there and unlicensed radio systems are for all to enjoy. It's very easy to think on a personal usage level and even find fellow enthusiasts positive to the idea but there is invariably a much wider user base or audience to consider. Flexibility can often be key.

I know sometimes the radio airwaves can seem a little quiet to cause any undue problems but just like a disabled parking space can often be seen to be empty it doesn't mean just anyone can park in it.


Anyway, my tuppence but all very interesting nonetheless.   

All the best,
Victor

Hi Victor, I am glad that you have found my link of interest and I apologize if it was a bit lengthy to read but I had to include the pictures to illustrate the areas of interest and application. Not everyone is familiar with the British canal system and it is very easy to assume that those who are likely to read my document will recognise the issues described  My holiday experience with the canals goes back 30 years and I have been carrying CB radio on our boats since the very beginning in 1981 which I guess makes me a bit of a 'greybeard'. At the beginning the cellphone was unknown and the cellphone network was mythology so all that was available in case of a problem was the PO telephone box (remember those?) which was an unknown distance away across muddy fields and through several hedges and if you were lucky wasn't vandalized when you found it. In those days we had a wonderful volunteer monitor network on Ch 19 in most towns and on one occasion near Rugby, 'Orange Control' actually helped me save someone's life but that's another story.
My suggestions as to channel allocations are only tentative as  the current accepted uses of Channel 9,14 & 19 are simply conventions and all I am suggesting is to extend convention to inland waterways. If you are on one of the big commercial waterways or marine based you have no choice but to use VHF radio on a licensed basis. It doesn't work any better but is.street legal.

Hope this helps you understand my purpose.
Best wishes, take care
Dave 26Ct487

Hi Dave,

On the contrary, I enjoy a good long read as much as I like writing and your article was enjoyable.
It's always good to get the perspective of someone within their field of interest.  

Yep, old enough to have shoved those tuppences into a K6 or even a K2 in the old smoke.
(Or even the responders who scanned AM Channel 9!)

I understand your point regards channel conventions or even what Hams love calling gentlemen's agreements and there'll always be someone about to remind you of such. I used to call on 145.5MHz often without answer for days on end yet the moment you have a short QSO someone pops up to police the calling channel. Similar story on the CB bands Channel 19 nowadays and once you could get shouted at for using it if you weren't a 'trucker'!
There was a time different towns and areas used different calling channels mostly due to powerful stations 'next town over' which was confusing as heck if you were mobile.


Again, a great article there Dave with my only worry of trying to standardise what is a licence free service available to all. A particular frequency or channel known to all others in a speciality field could be an asset but not if it imposes on unbeknownst others.  


All the best to you,
Victor