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| Focus On - featuring the Homesteaders Link-Up | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Wednesday, 23. February 2011, 20:35 (3,146 Views) | |
| Offplanet | Wednesday, 23. February 2011, 20:35 Post #1 |
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Following on from the previous "Focus On" article, which featured the Papa Lima Net, this time we turn our attention to another long running CB Net called "The Homesteaders". Many thanks to Garry CT242 for conducting the interviews with Hugh and Nigel, plus doing an excellent job writing up all the notes and producing the following article. Thanks also to Hugh and Nigel for the dedication shown in keeping the link running each week. The concept of a Homesteaders-type net is an excellent one and, with the closure of local pubs, shops and Post Offices leaving some people feeling rather isolated, it could actually be something of considerable benefit to those who are less able to get out and about, especially in rural areas. Mobile phones, computers and the Internet can be rather difficult and fiddly to use, but a basic CB Radio set-up could be a great method of communication. Hopefully the following article will inspire a few readers to call in to the Homesteaders or even start a net of their own. With a complete CB set-up costing less than £100 (or considerably less using second-hand equipment), well worth the effort. We at CT will help promote such efforts and will encourage donations of assistance and equipment. I've called into the Homesteaders myself on a few occasions and was made most welcome. The Homesteaders are on UK FM Channel 27 (27.86125) every Wednesday afternoon between 1:30 and 4:00 Gary CT104 The Homesteaders Links "The Homesteaders" Radio Link-Ups are an On-Air meeting point rather than a conventional DX CB Net. Guests are always made welcome but The Homesteaders are a group of mainly Home-Based CB radio operators who enjoy a weekly contact with each other and are mostly located within about a forty mile radius of the ‘chair’ near Cardiff, South Wales. History / Background Originally founded by Hugh "Kingfisher" in 1988, The Homesteaders radio link-ups run on Channel 27 of the UK CB frequencies. Hugh had been made redundant from the engineering industry in the recession of the 1980's, and was unemployed. Persuaded to listen in on a CB radio by a friend, it was not long before he purchased a set for himself. Listening to local breakers in the Taunton area, he soon joined a small group of people on an evening link run by Richard "Astra". Most of those who took part were people with a permanent illness of some sort or other, were disabled, or were confined to their homes. For a short time Hugh operated from home base only but it was not long before he transferred his radio to the car for high-ground DXing, and the Quantock Hills became almost his second home! One Saturday afternoon up in the hills, when conditions were right, he first copied a couple of people in Cornwall. This was followed almost straight away by a contact made with Ivan "Cossack" in Guernsey. It was not long before a further four people joined in from Guernsey, and he found himself running his very first link-up, across the English Channel! Hugh wondered if he could take a leaf out of Richard's book and run a link for people confined to their homes, egged on and supported mainly by Ray "Condor" from near Minehead, Somerset and Win "Water Baby" home based in Barry, South Wales, The Homesteaders Links were born. In the early days, quite a number of links were being run on different channels, notably by Mike "Pipe Layer" (Papa-Lima 01) and Bill "Acorn" and it soon became apparent that a name should be arrived at to distinguish one link from another, and due to the situation of the majority of participants, “The Homesteaders” seemed to be an appropriate choice. Initially it was difficult to link people calling in from South Wales with those calling in from Devon and parts of Somerset so two links each week were run, one primarily for people in the southern part of the country, and a separate one for those that could be linked across the Bristol Channel. On both of the two days, and with the number of people wanting to call in, the links ran for a five hour period on each of the two days. Over time, with the general decline in the use of CB, interest dwindled in the southern part of the country but with quite a few people still calling in from across the Bristol Channel, the southern link was dropped in favour of a second link for those calling in mainly from South Wales and North Somerset. Hugh ran the two weekly links for a period of ten years, by which time, feeling the effects of ‘radio fatigue’ and general 'burn out', he called it a day. Not expecting ever to re-start them, he scrapped all of his logs and disposed of his radio equipment. After roughly eighteen months "off air", appeals were made for him to re-start The Homesteaders. With the promise of support from Nigel "Skip", the links were re-started in February 2002, and have run ever since. Due to the further decline in the use of CB radio, the re-formed links are now run for half of the original time, once a week only, and from 1.30pm to 4.00pm. Calculated on an hourly basis, support has been as great as it was in the past, with an average of twenty people calling in rather than the forty who used to call in when the links ran for double the time. In February 2009 when returning home from chairing a link from high ground, Hugh had a serious car accident and sustained multiple injuries which confined him to hospital for a number of weeks, and prevented him from continuing the links. Mike "Pipe Layer" and some of his friends immediately stepped in to ensure the on-going of The Homesteaders Links until Nigel "Skip" took over the Chairmanship permanently in Hugh’s place. They have run on Channel 27, UK frequencies from 1.30pm to 4.00pm every Wednesday afternoon since then. Aims From the beginning, Hugh wanted to get to know the regular supporters of the links on a face to face basis, and found it not too hard to do. This, in turn, developed into him hoping the regular supporters could meet up with each other, and possibly form deeper friendships. A meeting was arranged for May of 1992 at the Social Club of the Taunton Town Football team. In order to get things off the ground this was provided "On the House" by Hugh and a couple of other supporters joining in to cover the costs. Tea and biscuits were provided for all on arrival, and a buffet style lunch and sweet provided as part of the day. Some fifty odd people turned up on the day, and "The Homesteaders Meetings" were born. By the time that the second one was arranged, requests were made for similar meetings to be held in South Wales. This led to meetings being arranged for the third Wednesday in May at Taunton each year, and the third Wednesday in September in South Wales, at which an average of around eighty people attended on each occasion. This, in turn, led to great friendships being formed amongst those taking part, and has remained so to this day. Because of travelling difficulties, age, numbers involved and so on, meetings are far harder to arrange than they used to be, but it is still hoped to provide them from time to time in the future. Hugh and Nigel have endeavoured to keep The Homesteaders links free from lewdness, bad language and the like, and have been largely fortunate in doing so. Although no longer at the helm and unable to hear very many of those who call in, Hugh supports Nigel by listening in every Wednesday afternoon from home base in Taunton, keeping logs and paperwork up to date and stays in touch with as many as he can by phone, letter or e-mail. Together, Hugh and Nigel welcome all who might like to join in with them. Their thanks go out to Mike “Pipe Layer”, Brian "Trailer Maker" and Jim "Negative Man", all long term supporters of CB radio and upon whom they can depend when extra support or help is needed. Acknowledgements Many Thanks to Hugh “Kingfisher” and Nigel “Skip” for providing the original material for the content of this article. |
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The CT eXtreme DX Team [imgw=50]http://b1.ifrm.com/2510/101/0/p5000422/mountain.png[/imgw] CTX Founder Member and CTX Team Admin Callsigns - 26-CTX-104, 26-CT-104, 163-CTX-104, 163-CT-104 CTX on Facebook ![]() CTX on Twitter ![]() UKCBTV on Youtube | |
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| Mark in Essex | Thursday, 24. February 2011, 05:12 Post #2 |
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That was a nice read...thanks Gary
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[][img][/img][/url] https://www.youtube.com/user/26TANGOMIKE037/videos Nembutol numbs it all But I prefer alcohol | |
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| Scottydog | Thursday, 24. February 2011, 09:47 Post #3 |
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Total dedication,respect and long may it continue. SD |
![]() http://www.sunderlandusedoil.co.uk 26CT441@charlietango.co.uk Member of H.A.R.C. (Houghton le Spring amateur radio club) Member of N.E.A.R.S (North East Amateur Radio Society) | |
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| VoG | Thursday, 24. February 2011, 10:00 Post #4 |
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I've called in to the Homesteader Net a few times and have always been made most welcome. Trouble is, I usually remember it on a Thursday and think, "Damn, missed the Net again yesterday!"... The guys on the Homesteader Net have told me that a big part of their "Raison d'être" is to provide a Social life-line to people who are housebound through ill health, and I can only admire and applaud that excellent aim. |
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| Offplanet | Thursday, 24. February 2011, 19:01 Post #5 |
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Thanks Mark, glad you enjoyed it - Garry 242 did most of the work on this article mind |
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The CT eXtreme DX Team [imgw=50]http://b1.ifrm.com/2510/101/0/p5000422/mountain.png[/imgw] CTX Founder Member and CTX Team Admin Callsigns - 26-CTX-104, 26-CT-104, 163-CTX-104, 163-CT-104 CTX on Facebook ![]() CTX on Twitter ![]() UKCBTV on Youtube | |
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| Offplanet | Friday, 20. May 2011, 23:40 Post #6 |
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A quick update - I have managed to earwig for a short period during the last couple of Homesteaders Nets and it's thriving by the sounds of it. A good bunch |
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The CT eXtreme DX Team [imgw=50]http://b1.ifrm.com/2510/101/0/p5000422/mountain.png[/imgw] CTX Founder Member and CTX Team Admin Callsigns - 26-CTX-104, 26-CT-104, 163-CTX-104, 163-CT-104 CTX on Facebook ![]() CTX on Twitter ![]() UKCBTV on Youtube | |
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| Shogun | Friday, 27. May 2011, 10:19 Post #7 |
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I join in when I'm available on a Wednesday. They are having their annual eyeball this coming Wednesday in Newport. Hopefully I shall be getting up there to say hello to one and all.
Edited by Shogun, Friday, 27. May 2011, 10:19.
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26-CT-507 SGO1, SY842, 16 TM 1958 ![]() President Lincoln,Uniden 2830, tti881, K40 Magnamount,Sirio BALCONY 27 A [imgw=400]http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg29/shedend_uk/radio_007.jpg[/imgw] | |
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| Shogun | Wednesday, 1. June 2011, 19:55 Post #8 |
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I managed to get to the Homesteaders meet today in Newport. CB radio at it's best. A group supporting many who find it difficult to get out. Hugh is with the walking frame, Nigel (Skip) to his left and kneeling someone many of you would have heard is Brian (Trailer Maker)
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26-CT-507 SGO1, SY842, 16 TM 1958 ![]() President Lincoln,Uniden 2830, tti881, K40 Magnamount,Sirio BALCONY 27 A [imgw=400]http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg29/shedend_uk/radio_007.jpg[/imgw] | |
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| Offplanet | Wednesday, 1. June 2011, 20:22 Post #9 |
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A great net and a really great bunch of people - if the CT Group can ever be of any assistance to those guys, please just let us know. People like Brian and Nigel have inspired me to try my best to keep UK CB alive |
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The CT eXtreme DX Team [imgw=50]http://b1.ifrm.com/2510/101/0/p5000422/mountain.png[/imgw] CTX Founder Member and CTX Team Admin Callsigns - 26-CTX-104, 26-CT-104, 163-CTX-104, 163-CT-104 CTX on Facebook ![]() CTX on Twitter ![]() UKCBTV on Youtube | |
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| 26CT762 | Saturday, 4. June 2011, 08:44 Post #10 |
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It has often occured to me that this the future of cb,especially under the prevailing economic conditions. It promotes social cohesion and forges links to isolated people as pointed out in the piece. Intersting that it has become more successful in the south west as I have found in general whilst mobile that area to be more "Friendly". CB further north centering around large Urban centres tend to revert to the more aggressive territorial type. How then to find an answer to that ? Avoid 19. But then if not enough critical mass then you will just have dead air. Generally I only shout up when passing Gloucester as they have a regular net on 24. They have a chair and are looking for qsk's every few minutes, drawing in mobile and homebase alike. |
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Icom 706 Mk 2 Intek 5050's Kucha Hans AT5555 Ranger Rci 2950 Magnum Handheld. Midland Portapak President Lincoln Wouxun kguv8d Wouxun kguv9d+ | |
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| Shogun | Saturday, 4. June 2011, 17:24 Post #11 |
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I agree, CB radio can and should be used more for things like the Homesteaders. When I first went on the side of Nigel and co it was great, what a friendly bunch. Years ago when I was a member of the Scotland Yard Breakers Club in Cranleigh, Surrey we used to do something similar where we would get house bound people on the air although we never used to run a net. One of my late CB friends was housebound and used to give directions and help in and around the Guildford area Doug (Rubber Duck or RD) was (or seemed to be) always on air when I drove through. I used to try and pop and see him every now and then, he loved having a artic parked outside his house. As I am very busy with work right now I'm unable to hook up with the Homesteaders but hopefully I'll be able to again soon. |
26-CT-507 SGO1, SY842, 16 TM 1958 ![]() President Lincoln,Uniden 2830, tti881, K40 Magnamount,Sirio BALCONY 27 A [imgw=400]http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg29/shedend_uk/radio_007.jpg[/imgw] | |
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| Offplanet | Saturday, 4. June 2011, 23:10 Post #12 |
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I don't get many opportunities to call in, but I do have a quick listen now and again and it's going well indeed. If anyone reads this article and fancies getting something similar going, I'm sure the CT Group will provide as much help and support as we can. I know I could dig out an unused 40ch rig or two and I'm sure many other members could too - just add a few £20 Silver Rods and a good few people could get on the air. |
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The CT eXtreme DX Team [imgw=50]http://b1.ifrm.com/2510/101/0/p5000422/mountain.png[/imgw] CTX Founder Member and CTX Team Admin Callsigns - 26-CTX-104, 26-CT-104, 163-CTX-104, 163-CT-104 CTX on Facebook ![]() CTX on Twitter ![]() UKCBTV on Youtube | |
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| VoG | Sunday, 5. June 2011, 08:43 Post #13 |
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I do think it would be a superb thing for CB (and Radio in general) if more "Socially Supporting" nets and similar were set-up and in operation. The initial cost for a basic UKFM Station can be change from thirty or forty pounds (Basic rig, cheap PSU and Silver Rod) or even less and there are zero usage and running costs (well, a couple of pence for the electricity). If there were to be a local 'support team' of volunteers who could set the stations up for the house-bound (mount the aerial, set SWR, check the set etc.) I am sure there are many invalid, aged and house-bound who would find it a life-line. Such services would also do a power of good to any arguments with official bodies regarding QRM interference or other problems, as the hobby could be seen to be a Community Asset instead of being dismissed as "a few Muppets messing about with radios". I do recall (back in the olden days, pre-Sat Nav) that if you went into a strange Town Centre, keying the mic on 14 would almost inevitable find someone who'd be happy to offer local directions . . . and there were a number of places I remember on the Motorways where you could call for a "10:13" (Road Conditions Report) from nearby homebases who kept an eye on the TV or listened to local broadcast radio for information to pass-on to Truckers and Motorists. They'd tell you what was ahead, or why the roads were slow (You have four miles of heavy metal Westbound from J17") or stationary ("square-wheels 2 miles back from J12 Eastbound") . . . . On reflection, it is quite probable that a number of those stations were operated by the infirm or house-bound. They offered a service to others, and in return they got to talk to people and were given a feeling of doing something positive and useful. I must admit that it is those sort of stations that I miss most from the pre-1981 days. |
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| Beany | Sunday, 5. June 2011, 08:59 Post #14 |
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The picture above tells a thousand stories and I bet a fair few of them are disscused around a cup of tea and a cheese sarnie on a club night But how many youngsters do you see in the picture thats the problem its great the old timers are keeping the hobby alive but as a whole there needs to be a way of atracting youngsters back into the hobby or there will be no way of stoping the decline of CB radio
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| 26CT762 | Sunday, 5. June 2011, 10:47 Post #15 |
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The only way I could see the yoof taking to radio en mass would be more in line with the model of using repeaters.. Small funky handhelds. Subversive and "off grid". A more dystopian future landscape would be more likely to promote uncontrolled communication. |
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Icom 706 Mk 2 Intek 5050's Kucha Hans AT5555 Ranger Rci 2950 Magnum Handheld. Midland Portapak President Lincoln Wouxun kguv8d Wouxun kguv9d+ | |
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| Zebedee | Tuesday, 30. August 2011, 13:21 Post #16 |
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What a fantastic post and a well-deserved acknowledgement for the Homesteads. I am fortunate that I am able to make it onto ch27 for Homesteads linkup most weeks, sometimes it's not possible because of work but luckily most of my works at the weekends. If you do live in the southwest I would highly recommend the linkup, they are all decent and respectful people including a fantastic chair man Nigel (skip) who is always very welcoming to all. If I do have any spare time at the weekends I always try get on the Papa Lima,s that is another excellent linkup, again very decent and respectful group of people with a fantastic chair man mike pipeline. I give both links a very big 73,s.Daygan. |
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| Offplanet | Wednesday, 25. January 2012, 23:19 Post #17 |
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I joined the net today and it was a very enjoyable couple of hours of radio Olga-free today and a well supported net - looks like it's going from strength to strength Thanks to Nigel (Skip) for doing a fine job in the Chair. |
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The CT eXtreme DX Team [imgw=50]http://b1.ifrm.com/2510/101/0/p5000422/mountain.png[/imgw] CTX Founder Member and CTX Team Admin Callsigns - 26-CTX-104, 26-CT-104, 163-CTX-104, 163-CT-104 CTX on Facebook ![]() CTX on Twitter ![]() UKCBTV on Youtube | |
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| Jazzy Jay | Thursday, 26. January 2012, 01:01 Post #18 |
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ive managed to get on the ch27 for Homesteads twice now because im not normally about in the daytime, i just wanted to say a big thanks for the welcome and the QSO's that ive made on there! im back on the air after 30yrs and i will not be leaving! thanks again to nigel for keeping the channel running for all these years!!! my hat goes of to you!!....73's for now and hope to chat again one wednesday
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| Deleted User | Thursday, 26. January 2012, 07:48 Post #19 |
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we had had something similar up here we used to have a good little net every lunch time . we had alot of local cbers and it was just to check every one was ok good clean qsos. but most have gone silent key. and now there is only three left myself geff black knight chris yogi bear we still chat but not always possible we had farmers local truck drivers game keepers . it was good but all gone now as cb up here is dead and never hear anyone on the air . must be getting old. |
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| Offplanet | Sunday, 9. December 2012, 21:00 Post #20 |
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Sunday November 25th 2012 saw the latest Homesteaders Meet and the first one I've attended Held at the Rosewood pub, Burnham-on-Sea in Somerset, thirty people attended, which was an amazing figure considering the region was quite seriously flood-hit and the advice given out by the authorities was not to travel. Several made the trip down from Berkshire, one from Coventry and one from Hemel Hempstead. Had it not been for the weather, I'm sure the attendance would have been in excess of forty. For me it proved to be a great opportunity to meet up with some people I've been talking to for over three years, but never met, including the legendary Sid and Marj, Brian Trailermaker, Nigel Skip, Glynn Greygoose, Daygan Zebedee, Phil Kingfisher, Darren BlackBelt, Paul Coke-Man, John JR and, last, but certainly not least, the founder Hugh Kingfisher. We were treated to a short talk by Hugh who explained some of the interesting history of the Net and also introduced a number of the original members to the rest of us. Another of Hugh's hobbies is cross-stitch and he had spend 100's of hours making quite a number of lovely framed stitched Homesteaders cottages which he handed out to quite a number of the Net's supporters, including myself. 2013 will see the 25th anniversary of the founding of the net and it continues to be a very well supported net. It's good to see a good many CT members joining in and many of the established participants also hold CT callsigns. We are very lucky in the South West and South Wales to have such an established, friendly and well supported net that also has the additional bonus of having twice-yearly meet-ups. This net is very much alive and well, so anyone who finds themselves in the South West or in South Wales on a Wednesday afternoon between 1:30pm-4pm, give them a call (Ch27 UKFM - with possibly a QSY if the Russian Taxis are about). Thanks to all the Homesteaders for an enjoyable afternoon ![]() |
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The CT eXtreme DX Team [imgw=50]http://b1.ifrm.com/2510/101/0/p5000422/mountain.png[/imgw] CTX Founder Member and CTX Team Admin Callsigns - 26-CTX-104, 26-CT-104, 163-CTX-104, 163-CT-104 CTX on Facebook ![]() CTX on Twitter ![]() UKCBTV on Youtube | |
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thats the problem its great the old timers are keeping the hobby alive but as a whole there needs to be a way of atracting youngsters back into the hobby or there will be no way of stoping the decline of CB radio




2:38 PM Jul 11