Another couple of failures

Today’s plan was to walk from Moore to the B&Q in Warrington where I planned to buy a 3.5mm steel drill bit so I could install the rear door catches on Waiouru.

It was only a 16km round trip and I must be getting old because the middle of the ball of my right foot was starting to ache by the time I reached the B&Q store. 

The route required me to cross four railway lines.  Two were electrified and two not.  I also crossed the Manchester Ship Canal and the River Weaver.

When I reached the Manchester Ship Canal my eyes were drawn to the brick tower at the far end of the bridge.

Then I noticed the curved joint in the roadway.

That’s when I realized it was a swing bridge and the tower probably contained the mechanism to move the bridge.

Or maybe it did many years ago.  My assumption is it’s now electrified although the following website http://www.movablebridges.org.uk/BridgePage.asp?BridgeNumber=160 describes it as hydraulically operated.  But something must drive the hydraulics?

Part of the route took me along the Trans Pennine Trail.

I’m not completely daft and I had checked that B&Q had the drill bits in stock.  But when I reached the store I discovered someone had beaten me to the last of the 3.5mm drill bits.  The walk was interesting but the reason for doing it was unfulfilled.

Back at Waiouru (complete with sore foot) I decided to throw caution to the wind and attempt to thread at 3.2mm hole instead of the planned 3.5mm.  Blog reader David had left a comment on yesterday’s post suggesting a 3.2mm hole could be threaded.  I know it can be done but I was reluctant to attempt threading a 3.2mm hole as I only have one M4 Tap and they are harder to find than 3.5mm drill bits.

My method was to temporarily located the catches with duct tape ensuring they wouldn’t foul anything on the stern deck.  I also decided to locate them just above deck level.  That way it’s unlikely a trouser pocket will catch on the latch when boarding or alighting.  Once I was happy with the location I applied a strip of masking tape where the catches would go and then marked the location of the screw holes on the tape.  Then I used a hammer and punch to give the drill bit a starting point.  The pilot hole was 2mm and then expanded to 3.2mm.  When I first attempted to thread the holes with the Tap and battery drill the tap would jam.  To overcome this I carefully applied a small amount of vaseline jelly to the threads of the Tap.  Working very slowly I managed to thread all eight holes.  The male and female halves of the two catches were then secured to the stern bulkhead with M4 stainless steel screws.  I don’t want the threaded holes to rust so I then removed each screw in turn and dipped it in construction adhesive before screwing it back into the hole.  The construction adhesive should reduce the possibility of rust occurring.

The male and female catches fitted

I’m quite pleased with the catches.  The weight of the door means they lock together and pull apart easily, but the catch does hold the door when it’s open.

Another tip I picked up from the guys at the boatyard was to hang a used tube of adhesive vertically with a bead of adhesive sticking out the end.

Next time you want to use the adhesive you should only have to pull the bead off the end of the nozzle for the adhesive to flow.

There was just enough time left in the afternoon to go down into the garden shed and do a 250 hour service on the noisy green thing!

A meeting, two successes and a failure

Last night we were fortunate to receive a visit from Kiwi’s David & Makuini Wright.  They are professional entertainers and although UK based for more than 30 years, have worked all over the world.    Makuini sings and David plays a few  instruments.  Makuini (the name means White Queen in Maori) mentioned she has now spent more of her life in the UK than NZ.  They have a website <link here> and will be performing at this year’s Cropredy Fringe Music Festival on 2 August.

A comment from blog reader Don regarding the camera plug reinforced my belief that the pin which needed to be extracted from the plug was held in place by ‘barbs’.  He suggested a thin tube be slid over the pin compressing the barbs.  That got me thinking and I rummaged around in the various spare parts containers to see if I had anything suitable.  The problem with narrowboats is a lack of space.  Usually I’d keep everything “just in case”!  However there is a tendency these days to throw things away.  Fortunately I hadn’t thrown away the small plastic bag containing the spare pins and the bag was also the brass tube for extracting the pins from the plug housing.  Thanks for the reminder Don!

With a little jiggling and by carefully placing my tongue in my left cheek the pin was extracted.

After examining the pin it was obvious the wire hadn’t been properly soldered.  I started the engine and turned on the inverter before using the soldering iron to re-make the connection.  The plug was then re-assembled and the monitor connected to the camera system.  Success…. Both bow cameras are again working properly.

The next job was to make a start on the 12V power socket in the cockpit.  I used the socket to make an outline on a piece of cardboard.  This was then cut to make a template.  I then used the template to mark the proposed location of the socket on the bulkhead below and beside the engine instrument panel.  The next step was to mask the outline of the drawn template with tape.  A 10mm hole was drilled through the steel bulkhead to provide cable access between the plug and the stern node.  The instrument panel had to be removed to assist in the fitting of the cable.

A thin bead of construction adhesive was applied to the join between the socket and the bulkhead before securing the socket against the bulkhead with duct tape.  Once the adhesive has set I will apply a second application of adhesive to make a stronger bond.  The Empirbus stern node is on the other side of bulkhead and it was a simple task to connect the wires to a vacant terminal before using the laptop to reconfigure the software thereby activating the plug.

The failure has been with the new rear door clips.  The locations were all marked out and I started to drill the holes, firstly with a 3.2mm HSS bit and then with a 3.5mm HSS bit.  The problem was the 3.5mm bit was too blunt.  I then attempted to use the secondary (and very cheap) bit.  It promptly snapped. Without a 3.5mm hole I can’t use the 4mm Tap to make the thread for the machine screws.  I’m going to have to find a local Screwfix, B&Q or Homebase <grrrrrr>.

Moored in Moore

A short walk after dinner last night enabled me to get a few photos of two of the three tunnels we cruised through today.

I was able to look into the entrance of Barnton Tunnel (523m) and could immediately see it wasn’t straight.  My assumption is these were some of the first canal tunnels to be constructed and it was a steep learning curve.

I walked the towpath over the top to the other end and couldn’t help notice that the alignment of the tunnel seemed to be down in a wide ditch.  I wonder of the canal builders first tried to excavate a cutting and perhaps hit a layer of hard rock resulting in the need for the tunnel?

There’s only a short distance between Barnton and Saltersford Tunnels (388m).  However the area is rather picturesque.  It would have made a nice mooring for Waiouru except they were all occupied.

I could hear the sound of a boat engine in Saltersford Tunnel so I waited to get a photo of it exiting.

The I followed it back to Barnton Tunnel catching it entering the tunnel.

Their passage must have been slow because I was able to take a final photo of the boat exiting the tunnel.

No, these are not fortifications   They are two of the tunnel air vents.

It was rather warm today, however the interior of Waiouru was so cool (that damned insulation) that Jan’s bread dough wouldn’t rise.  Eventually she bought it out and placed it on the rear sliding hatch. <Yummmm  Hot fresh bread for lunch>

The Trent and Mersey Canal proved to be very shallow in a couple of places.  On one occasion Waiouru developed a serious list and were weren’t even near the bank.

There was a quick stop at Midland Chandlers, Preston Brook for me to pop inside to see if I could find a solution for the rear cockpit doors.  They have been a problem ever since I oiled the hinges.  The doors now swing freely and bash me on the bum rear when steering.  Even worse; on a couple of occasions my modesty has been more than outraged when a cheek has been seriously pinched!  I don’t want to fit cup hooks because they swing and scratch the paintwork.  It looks like I might have found a solution in the Swindlers.

Spring loaded chrome clips.  I had to purchase some short stainless steel machine screws to fix them to the steel.  Another job!

We stopped for the day around 1.00pm mooring on the northern edge of Moore.  The batteries were showing 100% and Jan’s bread smelt too good to continue.

In the afternoon I started on the repairs to the bow camera wiring by replacing both defective cables.  The problem was it only resolved the problem with the fault on one of the cameras.  The rest of the afternoon was spent pulling the wiring apart tracing the break.  I should have used my head and given more thought to the problem before ripping everything apart.  The problem is the Empirbus system has made me lazy.  It’s so easy to fault find with the canbus system.  Just plug in the laptop.  But the cameras are hard wired!

In the end I found the break in the wire for the second camera right back at the monitor plug.

I’m not making excuses but I didn’t wire the monitor plug.  I probably should have and the fault might not have occurred.  The fine video wire for the second camera had come apart from the pin.

I need to somehow extract the very small brass pin from inside the plastic plug.  Using one of Jan’s sewing needles hasn’t worked.  In the end I went to Plan B….. Have a beer!  If that doesn’t work….. Have a second beer! After beer three I won’t care whether the cameras work!

“If that’s……. I’m a Monkey’s Uncle”

A common kiwi expression of disbelief.  Jan has pointed out I’ve recently started to use it frequently when commenting about passing boaters ‘tick-over’ speed.  She thinks I’m shortly going to be addicted to bananas and peanuts!

What’s the hurry?  OK… I can understand the hirers.  They either don’t know, or are working to a very optimistic timetable.  The private owners should know better and my guess is 50% of them would grumble if they were moored and on the receiving end.

I suspect the lesson we should take from this is to be away from popular canals during school holidays.  But then most of the boaters look old, wrinkly and grey like us!

We continued our slow cruise north passing a new marina under construction just south of the existing Orchard Marina.

The towpath has been diverted to allow walkers to cross the new marina entrance bridge.  The finger jetties appear to be constructed but the area has yet to be watered.  You can see some of the concrete entrance walls in the above photo.  Obviously all the earth in the foreground will need to be removed.

Continuing north we noticed a large rubber tyred straddle crane at Wincham Wharf which is obviously used to move boats in and out of the canal and around the yard.

I assume it’s a former container crane that has found another life.  I think I’d be more comfortable with this lifting Waiouru rather than some of the very old looking cable operated jib cranes we’ve seen during our travels.

At Upton Marina we stopped on the CRT moorings to dispose of the rubbish and fill the water tank.  There was good water pressure and our halt was therefore brief.  For a moment I contemplated washing down the roof of the boat but then two other boats suddenly appeared wanting water.

We changed our minds about mooring around the Anderton Lift Bridge and continued on mooring just short of Barnton Tunnel.  I walked the short distance up the hill to Barnton finding a Kebarb shop, Chinese Takeaway, Pharmacy/Post Office, Charity Shop and three hairdressers!  The good people of Barnton must be exceptionally hairy?

The batteries are at 100% (or thereabouts), the dot has been found and the last of the Braunston Bangers are grilling in the pan.  What more could you ask for?

More cruising tomorrow.

Three Canals and Mr Grumpy

The day started well but quickly deteriorated at the first lock which happened to be the last lock on the Shropshire Union Canal. Wardle Lock is at the western end of Wardle Canal. At 47 metres it’s the shortest canal on the network.  Apparently the Trent and Mersey Canal Company built Wardle Canal to prevent the Shropshire Union Canal from joining the Trent & Mersey Canal at Middlewich Junction.  The Trent & Mersey Canal Company then charged a toll on all boats using Wardle Canal.

Wardle Canal from the junction to the lock

The plaque on the bridge in the above photo shows the canal construction year as 1829.

We had Wardle lock turned against us twice!  We’d passed a boat coming towards us on the final approach to the lock but the crew of the hire boat below the lock closed the top gate and emptied it. Jan went forward but the hire boat crew exited the lock and closed the top gate.  Immediately the boater following them raised the bottom gate paddles empting the lock for a second time.  The boater behind us asked why we hadn’t gone into the lock and I explained it had been turned against us.  He then went forward to the lock and I heard raised voices.  Mostly from the boater in the lock.  Life is too short to get stressed about these things.  Although Jan; with her damaged wrist; declined to help them through the lock.  The boat crew departed the lock still voicing harsh words and leaving the top paddles up.

As we worked Waiouru down through Wardle Lock Jan went forward to the junction and advised the hire boat crew at the junction to wait until Waiouru had exited Wardle Canal.  Of course they didn’t!  When I exited the lock I found their boat square in the middle of the Junction pointing directly at Wardle Canal.  I don’t know how they expected me to turn left (or even right)!  Somehow I managed to squeeze Waiouru past them and the lady in the bow of the hireboat commented “You must have done this before!”  It was an interesting manoeuvre with my left hand on the throttle, right hand on the tiller and middle hand holding the mobile phone aerial down to prevent it striking the bridge arch.

We squeezed our way through the single lane where the first of the hire bases is located avoiding striking any of the moored boats.

Room for only one boat

As we approached Middlewich Top Lock a boat passed going in the opposite direction.  We’d have the lock.  But at the lock we could see someone turn it against us (again).  It appeared to be a solo boater but Jan subsequently discovered the lady was below “doing lunch”.  After assisting the boat up through the lock she and I started to work Waiouru down only to observe a person below empty the next lock.  We were both getting rather fed up with the situation and decided to wait in the lock until the boat below was ready to exit.  We then crossed in the pound only to observe the 3rd lock being emptied in front of us.  They must do things differently on the Trent & Mersey?

Below the three Middlewich locks is a water point and we took the opportunity to top up the tank.  The water point is located in the middle of a derelict CRT property.  There’s an old BW sign on the larger of the two derelict building advertising the site as a business opportunity.

My guess is they are both heritage listed and this is deterring interest on the part of local developers.

We cruised around the corner and moored adjacent to the children’s playground before walking to the local Lidl and Morrisons supermarket for essentials.  Back at the boat everything was stowed and lunch consumed.  We then headed for the final lock of the day.  Middlewich Big Lock is a broad lock capable of holding two narrowboats.  Why was it a broad lock when all the previous locks were narrow?

Big Lock from below

Jan applies pressure to the gate beam to avoid the lock collapsing!

I assumed the lock was a double because the canal was constructed for wide boats.  But shortly after we departed the lock we crossed Croxton Aqueduct which was NARROW.  All very confusing until I read the current aqueduct replaced the original wide aqueduct.  It therefore appears the Trent and Mersey Canal was built for wide boats until just after Big Lock.

We continued on north mooring at one of the larger ‘flashes’ that can be found in these parts.

Tonight’s view out the side hatch window

‘Flash’ is the local term for a flooded subsidence.  These flashes are the result of salt mining in this area.  Salt was mined in the area for almost 2000 years.  A salt making house was apparently known a a ‘wyth’ (wich) and the local area has at least three towns with wich in their name (Nantwich, Middlewich & Northwich).  The salt was extracted from brine wells and the water removed in evaporation pens (pans).  Salt being very corrosive, there isn’t much to see of old salt extraction structures.

First Blackberries for 2014

I was awake at 5.30am and Jan was an even earlier riser.  Waiouru was facing due west and the blood red morning sun was on the horizon.  There was a mist on the surface of the canal.  Nothing could be heard apart from the sound of the birds.

For some time I have been concerned about a length of 12V cabling in the back cabin.  My preference is to have all wiring double insulated and this particular wiring was only single insulated.  It’s taken some time to acquire 5 metres of suitable double insulated cable but today I was able to pull out the old cabling and replace it.  The old cable was then used as a ‘draw wire’ to replace the cabling to the bow cameras.  Both camera cables had developed a break.  This was my fault as I installed the cables.  I obviously made one of the bends too tight which has resulted in a stress point and eventually a break.

I don’t want the cost of replacing all the cabling so I cut the plugs off the end of the existing cables and spliced the plugs back onto another cable.

You can see the wiring joins in the following photo.  Each join is offset from adjacent wires to avoid any ‘shorting out’.  The bare copper wires were each tied together rather than twisted to give additional strength.  The knots were then soldered before being wrapped in insulation tape.

Original plug and cable on the left with new cable on the right

A trip to Kings Lock Chandlery resulted in some heat shrink sleeving.  The plan was to use Jan’s hair dryer to heat shrink the sleeve but it couldn’t produce sufficient heat.  The alternative plan was to carefully pass the sleeve backwards and forwards over one of the gas hob burners.  This did the job.

The end of each old cable was attached to a length of the 12V wire I’d removed on the first job and then pulled back through the tubing.  The 12V wires then became draw wires for the new cables.  The individual wires were then all connected and the cameras tested.  Doing this in the middle of a very hot afternoon was quite exhausting.  Or am I getting old and fat?

Meanwhile Jan had baked a banana and walnut loaf before starting to pick the first of this year’s blackberries.  Eventually I recovered sufficiently to give her some help.

I guess I’ll have to do more than my fair share of eating that loaf!

We were just starting to relax when nb Pukeko went past with a loud yell to catch our attention.  Damned noisy Kiwi’s!

Short cruise and odd jobs

The car was returned to Enterprise this morning.  I stopped on the way to add 5L of petrol to the tank to get it back to the level when we collected it (quarter full). It was almost quarter full so I didn’t think it would take much to reach the mark.  After leaving the petrol station the damned gauge didn’t budge  So I found a Tesco and added another 5L.  It still didn’t move and in a moment of frustration I added yet another 5L.  No movement from the needle so I told myself “Stuff it… the car can go back like this!”  Just before I reached the Enterprise depot the needle quivered and then jumped to three quarter full.  To say I was annoyed would be an understatement.  Enterprise kindly gave me a 15% discount voucher for our next hire!

I called into the Morrisons supermarket in Nantwich on the way back to Waiouru.  They didn’t have any custard doughnuts so I substituted them for a hot cooked chicken!  Jan will understand!

It was a brisk walk back to the boat with a hot chicken burning my back.  Jan attended to all those small chores inside Waiouru whilst I checked everything in the engine bay and stowed the new oil.  I also took the opportunity to check the two fuel pre-filters.  The first had a small amount of “gunk”suspended in the diesel whilst the second was clean.  I’ll keep an eye on the diesel just in case we are developing the dreaded “fuel bug”.

It was a slow cruise up to Barbridge Junction.  Along the way we noticed a couple of boats that were in exactly the same spot when we passed here in the 3rd quarter of last year. 

I think they might have grown roots

We stopped at Barbridge Junction to top up the water tank (it was already three quarters full).  The water pressure was slow and it took 30 minutes to fill.  Then we motored on to the 48 hour moorings above Cholmondeston Lock.  To our surprise they were empty.  It was at these moorings where I first met Eric, Elsie and Ben the Dog from nb Bendigedig back in 2011. It was also the same location where I managed to RV with Anne and her family when they were cruising on a hire boat.

The boats have been going past all afternoon.  Some slow and some fast.  There’s no common factor to identify those going fast except for Jan calling out to the fast boats “Thank you!” I suspect the sarcasm is lost.

What’re you look’n at!

Down South

Jan would like to thank everyone for their kind comments.  She is rapidly on the mend as a result of my physiotherapy regime which involves the continued completion of routine tasks.  The vitamin supplements (doughnuts) are also proving to be of value.  Jan should be back to full lock duties in a few days.  Meantime I’ve informed her to take her time and work the paddle mechanism slowly. 

Today has involved a three hour drive each way down to Staines upon Thames to see a very old and dear friend of the family.  On our behalf Hilda kindly accepts what little snail mail we have been unable to convert to email.  It’s been nine months since our last visit and a visit was long overdue.

 Jan & Hilda

We took Hilda to lunch inviting her to choose the location. She selected the White Swan Pub on the Thames in Staines upon Thames.

A nice pub with 100 metres of mooring in front.  Jan asked if boats could use them and was informed that was acceptable provided the pub was used for meals or drinks.  On the opposite bank is the local “Slug & Lettuce”.  It appears to also have moorings.

We’ve made tentative plans for Hilda to join us here for a day cruise when we take Waiouru south.

Whilst in Staines upon Thames we took the opportunity to visit the nearby Halfords store.  In a fortnight the engine in Waiouru will be due for a 250 hour service.  We already have a replacement oil filter so all that’s missing is the replacement oil.  I used Morris oil for the last service and have some left over.  The engine takes approximately 7 litres and a container holds 5 litres.  The end result is you need to buy two 5L containers and end up with 2-3L spare.  After reading the Beta manual it simply states to use a multi-grade SAE 15W/40 CF oil.  But it’s also a good idea not to “mix” new oils.  The plan was to buy three 5L containers of the required standard oil from Halfords.  This will give us 15L of oil which is enough for the next two services.  The gearbox oil also needs to be changed and I’ll us the remaining Morris oil for that task.  The good news was Halfords had the oil discounted by 20%.

The above photos were taken using the “problematic” Samsung S4 i9505 phone.  I tried to get a Vodafone signal in Staines upon Thames and managed to get one bar when I switched it to 2G.  Frankly I think Staines is a sufficient size for a better signal.

Jan decided to have a play with her new camera on the way home.  She did mention it was difficult taking photos when the car was going faster than ‘tick over’.  It’s been 10 months since I was last behind the wheel and cruising speed on the road is certainly different.  As we went through Birmingham Jan tried to get a photo of “Spaghetti Junction”.

It’s beyond the steering wheel and down.  Actually we could only identify the location by the adjacent large electrical distribution farm.

The car goes back to Enterprise tomorrow morning.  The following might be of interest to boaters who hire from Enterprise.  Usually we hire on a weekend to take advantage of their cheaper rate.  It also means you can return the car on a Monday morning as they aren’t open on Sunday.

If we booked a car for Sat and Sun (2 days) the daily rate was £24.31 or a total of £48.62.

However if we book for three days (Fri-Sun) the daily rate is £16.45 or a total of £49.35.

So we obtained an additional day for 73p.

The car we selected was one of their smallest and of course one of the cheapest.  We ended up being given a Vauxhall Corsa 1.2L  I’m not used to small engine cars.  If I was being uncharitable I’d say it couldn’t pull the skin off a rice pudding.  Or as Aussies say…. Only milk and juice come in two litres!    At 1.2L it felt like we had a sewing machine under the bonnet.  But then UK distances aren’t vast and space is at a premium.

A Tumble

Jan took a tumble yesterday evening when she stepped backwards onto uneven ground.  She gracefully fell out of sight with her new camera in one hand and purse in the other.  I scurried around the other side to find her like an inverted turtle.  With my bad back it was quite a struggle to get her upright.  All she was concerned about was the damned camera; whereas I was worried about her!  She has injured her left wrist and has cuts on her right arm  It appears to be a sprain rather than a fracture but still creates quite a problem.  Cleaning the toilet can be delayed but I really wanted the self pump-out done today.  Obviously it will have an impact on the meals.  I’m prepared to make some of my ‘one pot’ Weetbix stew but for some reason Jan has refused to countenance the idea. She sent me off to Sainsbury’s to shop for a cooked chicken.  I assumed it was for dinner tonight.  Unfortunately Sainsbury’s didn’t have any but I managed to substitute it for custard doughnuts.  Jan doesn’t see the logic in this decision.  The major problem is the locks on Monday.  I suspect she’s going to struggle doing them with one hand.  Plenty of morale support will be required.

Our 48 hours were up so we moved on.  Both of us noticed some of the boats had been on the moorings when we arrived. We headed off between showers stopping at Nantwich Canal Centre for a pump out.  The attendant made the comment that we must have a large tank because it’s usually empty by now.  I mumbled something and then changed the subject.  It was another very good pump out and Waiouru’s stern is now a couple of inches higher.   We then moved forward to the CRT water point which turned out to be a very slow filler.  We should have remembered this from last time.  Actually it took so long that there was time to wash down the side of the boat.  I took pity on Jan with her wrist and did it all myself.

Now moored just north of Nantwich enjoying the pleasure of being bashed against the “Shroppie Shelf” by boaters in a hurry.  It’s only for one night!

Nantwich

Looking back

PS.  Jan managed to cook a light dinner and I think the doughnuts were a hit!

Snap

Well the Samsung saga continues.  At least it is keeping my mind active!

Today we received an email from Anisa Ishaq at Samsung UK.  It was exactly the same message “In regards to your query, as informed previously, you would be required to contact Samsung in Saudi Arabia to have the device repaired”  It’s rather obvious they are not interested in helping me with a Samsung product that was purchased outside the UK.  I’ve sent an email to Samsung Saudi Arabia describing the problem and asking them to arrange support in the UK.  A reply was received this afternoon asking me to phone them to discuss the problem.  You can guess what happens next……. “Please send us the phone!”

This morning we visited Crewe and the phone worked.  My guess is the damned phone will work in most major centres.  I suspect it has a weak internal aerial (weaker than our other Samsung phones).  Never mind, I’m retired and have plenty of time to annoy the hell out of Samsung.

The plan for today was to purchase a digital camera for Jan.  Something small and light but with a good zoom function as she wants to take quick photos whilst we cruise.  After some research she had selected a Panasonic Lumix TZ40.  Well initially it was going to be the TZ35 which was GBP20 cheaper but then I realised it didn’t have wifi. 

I then remembered Paul the Croc had blogged about a camera they had purchased and were very happy with.  So I suggested to Jan she should check the make and model of the camera Paul & Elaine had bought.  She thinks it’s the same camera!  Bloody Aussies ahead of us…. Bet they paid more!

We purchased the camera from PC World because it was on special.  The sales assistant did a good job, but couldn’t convince us to buy an SD storage card or case.  We already have a spare 16GB (Cl10) card.  Jan is going to look in the 99p and Poundland shops for a case.

Problems with Samsung

To date the mobile support we have received from Samsung UK has been woeful.

Both Jan and I have a Samsung Galaxy S4 smartphone which I purchased when recently working in Saudi Arabia.  My model is an i9505 (4G) whilst Jan’s is an i9500 (3G).  Both phones are fitted with Vodafone SIM cards.

The problem

The 4G phone frequently has no network coverage.  You might immediately assume it’s the Vodafone network.  But it’s not!

If both phones are placed beside each other outside the boat Jan’s gets network coverage and mine doesn’t.

My phone has no network coverage whilst Jan’s has coverage

The SIM cards in the phones were exchanged and it made no difference to my phone.  I then inserted the Three Mobile SIM into my phone.  Still no coverage.

The next step was to take the back off the phone and connect it to the powerful external aerial on the roof.

Aerial plugged into the internal socket on the phone

The phone promptly achieved full network coverage.

I believe there is a problem (perhaps design problem) with the i9505 integral antenna.  So I wrote to Samsung UK explaining the problem and asking for advice. 

Amin replied

“Unfortunately you have contacted the UK based team and as such are unable to offer warranty information nor support for this particular device”. 

He informed me I must contact Samsung Saudi Arabia.

So I wrote back “The phone worked in Saudi Arabia.  Unfortunately it doesn't get any network coverage where I am in England unless I plug it into an external aerial.  It appears to work in major centres such as Birmingham and London.

Leaving aside the warranty issue. How can I get the phone checked and (if necessary) repaired in the UK?”

Today I received a reply from Maneesha.

“In regards to your email we are unable to offer you any repair information for the UK as you will need to have your device repaired in Saudi Arabia.

I have provided you the Global Support link where you can contact Samsung Saudi Arabia for more information.”

Obviously Amin and Maneesha are working to the standard script and haven’t yet realised what a tenacious bastard I can be!

I wrote back

“My contract in Saudi Arabia is finished and I have returned permanently to the UK.
If I want my phone repaired in the UK (I accept it's not under UK warranty) where do I take/send it in the UK?”

I’m now waiting for Samsung UK to repeat their standard answer of insisting on the phone being returned to Saudi Arabia for repair.  What I particularly want to do is expose the BIG SAMSUNG LIE!  Samsung Region Lock their phones.  They claim this is to tailor and enhance the local purchasers experience.  Whereas the vast majority of us believe it’s to prevent cheap parallel (grey) imports entering the market.  Samsung’s marketing strategy is to price their phones on what they believe the market will pay.  This means the buyer in the UK will pay more for the same phone than a buyer in a 3rd world country.  To prevent the importation of phones from cheaper markets Samsung firstly Region lock the phone.  This means the phone must be used for at least 10 minutes in the country/market of origin to unlock it.  Obviously this requires the security tape on the packaging to be broken.  If a phone is taken to another Region Samsung will not support it.  Even though it’s exactly the same phone.