Mariner9 - I've never had a problem in over 20 years in QSY-ing to Barton from Manch. I call at Thelwall (Warrington) just before making the right turn to Barton. The call need only be "AB QSY Barton 122.7" - and the "122.7" is optional.
Manch has brief bursts of intense radio traffic at times, but there's usually a gap after a couple of minutes at worst. But as I said in an earlier post, if the guy is very busy, it's best not to call him in the first place.
SSD