Stevieb1. At the risk of showing your inexperience, at least you asked. Whilst you made an assumption that just because you couldn't hear a lot on the RT Solent were not busy, however let's not make the assumption that stevieb1 gained his PPL at an aerodrome in for e.g a busy class D environment. My suggestion would be, that as you were aware that you were below the CTA you could, should you wish, monitor their frequency. If in the event you can hear them calling traffic to other A/C that you believe to be you, you could make a quick call to them with your details. They then could make a decision as to how much of a service they felt able to provide(subject workload). If, as Bournemouth did, instruct you to contact another agency, you can make the choice as to whether you will, or if not, just inform them that you wish to contact someone else (providing of course you are remaining outside their airspace) Selecting mode C will help them to ensure that you are indeed transiting below their airspace and not give them heart failure!! By all means visit an ATC unit near to you. It's good for all of us to see both sides. It also means we can mould you just the way we like you!!!!
