Memory Lane (Break on the Channel)

 

This is a memory from 2019. It has been slightly edited for clarity and grammar.

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Over the course of the weekend I did the face book thing and changed my profile pic to one of me and my dad in honor of Father's Day. This morning I saw that someone had commented and upon checking saw that they had called me by my old citizen's band radio handle. I hadn't heard that name in 40 years and it really caught me off guard. I had no idea there was even anyone around that remembered that.

But it really set off a bout of nostalgia. I think that I was around 19 when I first got on the radio. You had to have call letters then. I had a base station and a mobile unit with a big ole whip antenna swinging on the back of my red Chevy nova.

What fun those days were. Hanging out with people, whether in their home, driveway, on a ball field having a killer softball game or at one of the many coffee breaks. I would even dance then, if that tells you how long its been since I've danced.

There was a wonderfully diverse group of people on the radio, and while there were the occasional arguments, for the most part we got along.

One night after a coffee break not far from here I was on my way home. I had a car fall in behind me and start to follow me. All I had to do was key the mike and let it be known. I had help in a minute. My car broke down on me one day down near the Belmont Abbey College. Someone heard my call for help and within a short time were there. They not only got my car running, but followed me home to make sure it didn't happen again.

My very first dealing with a truck driver was an Estes driver who seemed to turn up often.At that time I had no knowledge of dedicated runs or day cabs.  Every time the driver saw me he would holler at me on the radio and we spoke briefly. I never met him face to face, and like now, from time to time the memory would surface.

When I was living in Louisiana, I went to work for a custom cabinet shop. They used the radio to communicate with each other and a base in the shop. The manager's son told me, if you really know how to talk on the radio, lets see what you can do. There was a guy who lived close and was talking over everything therefore needed a lesson. okay fine. For the next few minutes I shot skip and barely took a breath. I only stopped when the bear drove by. But the guy learned.

I know that the drivers at the time would get annoyed because so many were choking up the channels. At that time, a time before cell phones, the radio was a much needed tool and to be honest, still is. I never talked on my husband's radio, I stayed away for many reasons. When he passed away, I gave the radio away to someone who needed it.

.Memory lane, an amazing place to visit..

So break on the channel...break break..

I'm going to back on out of here now, and put it 10-7 on the side, Y'all hammer down, but keep the shiny side up and the greasy side down, keep it between the ditches and get to your destination safe. Drivers, you are important, and we appreciate you..10-4.