KHM - Clyde - where's the mast?

[ylop]

Last time I was heading up Loch Long I called KHM on Ch73 as indicated on the Clyde Port leisure instructions, but I called them I bit early. I think I used the handheld from the cockpit and they seemed to hear me but their response was difficult to hear. So this weekend I thought I'd leave it until the point shown on the chart as the southern limit of the Naval Dockyard. Nothing heard on the Handheld. I went down below and called on the main set - and got a response which was broken but just about intelligible, saying that I was broken and unreadable. I've had no problems calling/hearing Clyde Port Control (Estuary Radio) and Belfast CG well but I might be really close to their masts? So before I start worrying that the VHF is not working as well as it could - does anyone know where the KHM's masts are? Perhaps I am trying to call them through a hill? Where do people normally call them from? Do other people call them at all? I certainly didn't hear traffic from everyone else I say heading up loch long either this time or previously.

 

[penfold]

Notwithstanding the guide's instruction I've never bothered communicating with KHM(I see Peel haven't updated for the carolean era, closet republicans ) for anything and I've been sailing on the Clyde for 35 years; sub and large ship movements are obvious as they are invariably accompanied by the full MOD police flotilla, Marines in their RHIBs, tugs and anything else that will make way and I just keep out of the way, although the minesweepers don't get the full consideration , other than that stay out of the marked areas around the bases on the chart. If we contacted KHM every time we entered Loch Long or the Gareloch we'd never be off the damned radio, carrying a VHF is not mandatory and we don't live in a police state. If you can hear the coastguard ok I can't see there being much wrong with your set or aerial.

 

[AntarcticPilot]

Notwithstanding the guide's instruction I've never bothered communicating with KHM(I see Peel haven't updated for the carolean era, closet republicans ) for anything and I've been sailing on the Clyde for 35 years; sub and large ship movements are obvious as they are invariably accompanied by the full MOD police flotilla, Marines in their RHIBs, tugs and anything else that will make way and I just keep out of the way, although the minesweepers don't get the full consideration , other than that stay out of the marked areas around the bases on the chart. If we contacted KHM every time we entered Loch Long or the Gareloch we'd never be off the damned radio, carrying a VHF is not mandatory and we don't live in a police state. If you can hear the coastguard ok I can't see there being much wrong with your set or aerial.

I've sailed up Loch Long, Loch Goil and the Gare Loch and never contacted KHM (it was QHM in those days!). I've never even heard of anyone doing so! The restricted areas are patrolled; you'll be warned off politely if you transgress. And nuclear submarines etc. are heavily escorted, and if you are likely to be in the way, they warn you off (again, politely).

The job of the patrol boats in Loch Long and the Gare Loch must be mind-numbingly boring. They basically belt along to the up tide end of their beat and then drift down tide end, rinse and repeat! I have been shadowed occasionally, but as long as I stayed out of the restricted area, they didn't even make any sign they'd seen us. Mind, my late Chinese wife probably made their day and gave them something to put in their reports! The time we went up Loch Long with a Spanish friend aboard was probably the most excitement they'd had in years!

 

[penfold]

I've sailed up Loch Long, Loch Goil and the Gare Loch and never contacted KHM (it was QHM in those days!). I've never even heard of anyone doing so! The restricted areas are patrolled; you'll be warned off politely if you transgress. And nuclear submarines etc. are heavily escorted, and if you are likely to be in the way, they warn you off (again, politely).

They do, it's not happened often but when they do come over for a chat it's always been civil, although my patience was tested when asked to clear out of the navigable channel for a USN warship when the channel was over 1nm wide and I could already read the name on the channel mark without binoculars.

 

[jamie N]

..........asked to clear out of the navigable channel for a USN warship when the channel was over 1nm wide.......

....erm, I wonder whether you're ignoring the obvious???

 

[penfold]

That the septics are utterly ridiculous about security? No, I'm pretty sure about that.

 

[jamie N]

Or, that a mere 1nm channel width, is a bit on the tight side, perhaps?

 

[awol]

Apparently despite numbers on my sail and an AIS squawking away I am an "unidentified craft" according to the "armed police vessel"! Usually get shadowed in Loch Long past Coulport .... oh, and they don't like you picking up the moorings for a lunch stop on the west side of the loch. Had a few idiotic conversations with the Modplod in their ribs - e.g. "Are you intending to cross the channel?" - "Yes, when your submarine has passed." - followed by "Are you intending to cross the channel?" etc. I had been stationary in no wind on the other side of the mid-channel marker for some time waiting for the flotilla to pass.
And no, I have never called the HM Q or K.

 

[DanTribe]

Or, that a mere 1nm channel width, is a bit on the tight side, perhaps?

Reminds me of Basil Fawlty's reply to an American.
"Was the M4 a bit narrow for you? British cars are fitted with steering wheels"

 

[ylop]

If we contacted KHM every time we entered Loch Long or the Gareloch we'd never be off the damned radio, carrying a VHF is not mandatory and we don't live in a police state.

I call Clydeport Control every time I enter or leave JWD marina - it’s not a great hardship. They always seem happy to talk to you, in fact it’s occasionally even useful (although the quality of the information they give varies a lot with who is on). Calling KHM on crossing the boundary is not really a huge burden either. Police seem not interested which might suggest that calling gets you an easy day (although there’s never been a Sub at coulport when I’ve been up). I do recall them being somewhat more intimidating in the early 90s when I dinghy sailed in the Gareloch but I was probably more of a cock then too! I guess I’d rather there was no military restrictions on the water but until then I’m happy to call them if they answer - I know that if I run into some difficulties those bored patrol boats will actually be quite helpful.

 

[Skylark]

I have a vague recollection of poor ch73 reception close to the southern limit of Loch Long Naval Dockyard.

I don’t always report, it depends upon circumstances. For example, last season, we left Gareloch head at around 22h00 for an overnight sail to Arran. It seemed appropriate to let QHM know our intention.

I’ve found Estuary Radio to be very helpful, I don’t always call if only transiting to/from JWD but always if heading east up-river. It’s unusual when mooring at Yorkhill not to have a conversation with a transiting vessel to clarify intentions.