As to his location it was one I was near to often a couple of years ago. Used to deliver just north of DC, and run up to Pulaski Hwy @ Kresson to get me a load back to Texas. Food, both directions.
Radio traffic on AM-19 was sorta hit and miss. But I wasn’t there in the early a.m, and was usually backed to the dock as the locals were going home (catching a nap). Funny how my ELD would screw up and I’d have to run paper that day.
The times I was farther north to re-load at Perryville, the southbound run was always concerned about traffic thru the tunnel. The damned scale house at the split. That sort of thing.
From the south headed north, it was mainly a relief to everyone to have some peace after getting thru DC. Kinda quiet, except wanting to know if they could get into any of the usually crowded service areas. Thru the tunnel or over the now-closed bridge, I never cared. I just didn’t want to have to go the long way around the west side.
Your Dad is uniquely well-situated to relay what he hears. He could become fairly well-known if he chose. Being helpful, friendly. He’d be able to hear what a lot of guys couldn’t. Then transmit that info over a wide area.
Knowing his exact air mile distance to the mile markers on the Interstates would be good for radio checks. Get the shy ones to crack their jaws open. I use my GPS and a map for that. I’ve 3-5 Interstates I can hear when at home and can tell men exactly how far. Made note cards. “I’m north of ya about 7.5/miles if you’re at the 12”, sorta thing.
That, and maybe how to adjust their radios to sound better. The W-M Speaker is great for that. Clarity. I’ve had mine 10-years now. They need to kill the talkback and turn down the echo, we can get their power mic sounding good with Mic Gain and mic adjustments. Then everyone else wants in.
The base stations operated by a few men in other cities this way have others waiting for them to key up. Part of the morning routine. O’dark thirty to 0900 or so. Toledo. Knoxville. Houston. (Others).
I’m going thru I may be more likely to key up and ask a question from the regulars. Route. Weather, etc. Gotten good advice that way (turn down the echo, hand). If he was a driver, all this is familiar.
If he’s not getting heard well, that’d be worth fixing.
Some gear, and the antenna system.
Others here are the ones to advise on the antenna Q.
He gets on Sideband, that’s a whole other world as well. Won’t mention freeband.
Good luck. My own experience with bad illness is that an appetite and restful sleep are what matter most. Then family.
Something to do (being of service) is next. Which you are covering. Get him bumped to First Class status and it’ll be a whole new game.
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