Citroën Classic Challenge 2015

[Mike E (uk)]

I had better book an MOT now.

[Philip Chidlow]

Good idea

[Philip Chidlow]

I was caught out today, seeing all the things I had to do before the Challenge (work and family-wise), not to mention a few more bits to do on the BX as well as sorting out the stuff I was actually going to take with me when I realised I'll be heading off in the BX to meet up with Phil Boxall in just over 7 weeks! eeeek

[Mike E (uk)]

Roadtrip Communications.

Hi All,

The BXagon and later road trips have proved the utility and fun of group text messages and CB radios.

The ability to chat between cars on CB radio adds greatly to the overall atmosphere and experience.

This posting is therefore a request to all participants to install and test your CB radio before you arrive in France.

CB equipment (especially when it's old) suffers greatly from faulty leads and connections.

I am happy to help sort any problems as they occur, and will bring some spare parts, soldering iron etc. But if we have 6 cars all with faulty aerials we will be a bit stuck.

There was a summary about CB posted for the BXagon, but I have not found it yet. A repost would be handy.

Looking forward to the trip,

Mike

[Philip Chidlow]

This was some information you provided me with for the BXagon. Don't know if it's what you were referring to, but it should help

A quick dummy's guide to CB for BXagon participants.

Equipment required.
A CB radio, this should come with a power lead and a microphone.
All CBs work the same way. Only a basic set is required, some CBs are very expensive but are intended
for enthusiast long distance communication, not short range inter-car chat as required here. I expect that
a single channel will be chosen as the default for the duration of the trip, so we know where to call and
listen. Our CBs need to cover the 40 channels which are legal to use in France ( These channels are legal to use
in the UK too )

The in car 'Mobile' type is best, hand held radios are tricky to use in cars.
Radios which are suitable use FM, and the ' MID band ' channels. Newer radios are marked 'CEPT' or
'40 EU' or '80 channel UK/EU'
(not suitable: some older CB sets are AM only, and cannot receive or transmit FM signals. Other sets are
type UK CB 27/81 and type MPT 1382 and though these are FM, , do not cover the 'MID band' (unless
they have been modified aftermarket). Some sets have a switch to select AM or FM, these are suitable if
they cover the 'MID band'.

If you have any doubt if a radio you wish to buy is suitable, email me with the type and I will check for you.
Expect to pay about £25 on ebay for a 1980s set, up to £45 for a modern set.

Here is a list of suitable radios:
MIDLAND 121 multi
MIDLAND 78 98 48
TTI TCB-660
DANITA 3000 80 channel
Commtron 8 AM/FM
there are lots more.

Antenna.
A magnetic mounting type is the easiest to use. As a rule, the longer the antenna, the better the range,
and the bigger the diameter of the magnetic mount, the more secure it is on the car.
Plonk the mount in the middle of the roof,and run the cable through the gap at the top of the hatchback.
Do not transmit on a CB without a suitable antenna connected, you may damage the transmitter output
components.

If you have a BX without a sun roof, you may be happy to cut a hole in the roof for the antenna. This is the
best installation method, but if you only want CB for 2 weeks, a magmount is less bother.
It is best to buy a new magmount, these deteriorate if left on a car long term, and you don't want an
annoying intermitttant antenna fault.

CPC.co.uk are currently selling a magmount for £5.50 and a suitable whip antenna to fit it for £9 (+VAT)
This is a very good deal.

Power.
You can simply stick a fag lighter plug on the power cable (CBs only use about 1Amp maximum) But these
connectors do tend to fall out easily, so I recommend running a wire either to the rear of the lighter socket
and fixing it securely, or better still running a wire to the battery and fusing it there at the +ve terminal.
It is worthwhile fixing the CB so it is not loose in the car. It is tricky changing channels if it is not fixed, and
the wires can get broken if they get pulled around.
The passenger side of the centre consule in the BX is a good place to fit the mounting bracket of the CB
to.

Range.
3 to 5 miles is typical between two cars. In open country side it can be much further.
Ignition interference on receive can reduce range, oil burning BXs have an advantage here as they have
no ignition sparks.
If you have a faulty HT lead, you will hear it clicking away on top of a week signal.
To check if a channel is in use, you can listen for a while on the channel before transmitting, if all is quiet it
is probably free to use.
Or simply ask 'is this channel in use, please?' CB use is not very common nowadays, so I doubt if finding a
clear channel will be a problem.

[Xemes]

Here is an example :
http://www.ebay.fr/itm/HARRIER-CBX-CB-R ... 2a4fa9b27d
Just in case
For one week it could be enough

[Philip Chidlow]

Are you coming along Monsieur Chris? PM me! Long time no hear.

[Xemes]

And here is another one :
http://www.ebay.fr/itm/Harrier-40-Chann ... 33a1a97841
As you can see it isn't so hard to find and not that expensive
Good luck to everybody

[Mike E (uk)]

Sadly Xemes, both those radios are the old 1981 UK spec.

They use the wrong 40 channels for (legal) use in mainland Europe.

The 40 channels we will use are the EU or CEPT channels, which do not coincide with the 1981 UK spec.

Hers a new one for £50: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CRT-S-MINI-NO ... 2c79d86a65

and one for £25 :http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MAXON-MX-1000 ... 3aa882a377

[mat_fenwick]

The BXagon and later road trips have proved the utility and fun of group text messages and CB radios.

The ability to chat between cars on CB radio adds greatly to the overall atmosphere and experience.

Agreed, especially if you were (as I was) on your own in the car. Plus, to be able to instantly contact everyone in the group (for free!) if there is a change of plan, or someone takes a wrong turn, is very handy!

Not sure if there is the facility for group text messages any more (Zygo?) but I guess something like Facebook messenger would serve the same sort of purpose, although may be pricier depending on roaming data charges. Only needed if people are out of CB range though.

[Philip Chidlow]

There's something called GroupMe that I'm looking into. A bit like Zygo (which isn't available anymore)...

[chris40]

Hi.
In negotiations for lunch in nérac
They are not very nervous over there

[Philip Chidlow]

Tell them there's nothing to worry about... Les Rosbifs are coming! lol

[Mike E (uk)]

MOT passed

Will tax for June and do some miles locally before heading off for France.

[Philip Chidlow]

Yay! Nice one Sir!