How many still use a CB radio?

[vasnipe]

Just a question as to how many still use a CB radio when traveling for road conditions or other uses?
Wife and I were traveling today from Branson, MO to Memphis, TN and had made it to I-40 East with no problems. Saw DOT signs that said words to the effect that I-40 was messed up big time at mile marker 191 eastbound and to take an alternate route. TomTom was acting up and fussing about being in the wrong place so I turned on the CB beside me and between truckers getting in wee-wee contests with each other (I guess they have not much else to do?) got word from friendly truckers to take exit 193 and ride the 2 lane road US Highway and bypass the mess. Followed the truck in front of me and got back on I-40 23 miles later. Saved a lot of idling time and listening to others gripe and moan about the traffic tie up.
Was just wondering...

Chris across the road from Graceland and on the way home to Virginia

[SpringerPop]

When on-the-road, I use my little CB, mostly for listening and finding diesel fuel when necessary.

However, I have also used it for exactly the same reasons you have, finding road conditions and ways around problems in advance of getting caught up in them.

Avoided a big one on I-20 south of Dallas a while ago by having it on, and again south of Lexington, KY a couple of years ago. Sure saw some beautiful farms along the by-ways on that detour! Meanwhile, others are getting to watch medi-choppers land on the highway while they wait it out in miles of traffic jam.

If I'm doing a solo late-nighter, I keep it on just to hear the chatter, though I rarely participate in it.

Caravaning with others is made easier, too.

When I get back to the big city, I take the antenna off the truck and stash it behind the back seat 'til the next time.

Pop

[troyt]

That is a good question. I have a Cobra that’s about 10 years old that I’ve not installed in either of the last two pickups.

I recently dug it out of the garage and put it in the cargo space under the back seat of my current pickup, thinking I would install it one day. We’re doing a bit more longer hauls and it would be good to keep up with road conditions. I grew up using CB’s and always had one.

I think smart phones and GPS have taken the place in many ways.

[cardinal4fun]

I always will have mine on for the traffic info and a good laugh when the truckers really get going. I very seldom will talk, they are great when traveling the road with another camper.

[ret2006]

I use a CB to check the road conditions ahead. It has saved me a few times from having to sit in traffic due to an accident.

[mike54]

I use a CB for road conditions and traffic backups. I miss the CB talk of years ago

[PapaSmurf]

I use the a CB on the interstates (seldom talking). We usually travel with a group and we all have our radios on channel 13 so we can chat with each other as we go along. It makes for fun and entertaining travel. When we are by ourselves, we use channel 18 to keep up with road conditions. The radio-waves have gotten much more "potty mouthed" in the last 30 years, but there is still a lot of good people out there trying to help each other.

[Mark and Linda]

A good thread...I have been thinking about digging my old cb out and seeing if it still works. I use to have it installed in my old truck. I really liked it when I was traveling, way before cellphones. I guess that will be my next project. One time while traveling it saved me from running over something in South Alabama. The something later turned out to be a fellow who had fallen asleep after leaving the club across from where he lived. I found out what it was after making contact with someone else who was driving the same route.

[ses]

Cb's are a good tool, but not good for dw or young ears!!

[MtnGuy]

My CB has saved me from many traffic tie-ups over the years.

[Mark and Linda]

Originally Posted by ses

Cb's are a good tool, but not good for dw or young ears!!

After all these years, they still haven't cleaned up their act. Some don't realize what a good thing they really are...you always have that element out there.

[SALTY]

They are great for traffic updates

[vasnipe]

CB came to good use again this morning as we left Memphis.
There was a construction site on I-55 North and the truckers gave the good information on which lane was open and such. Listened most of the way today but shut off again when the potty mouths overran everyone else.

[old guys]

Occasionaly use it for traffic or accident reports. D.W. doesn't like the "racket" much. Old Guys

[Snowsail]

I'm looking to buy a very small one with all the buttons on the mic and an antenna that wont scratch my truck.
Any suggestions?

[DDC]

Is it still legal,most places have new law banning hand held devices.

[buffalohunter]

We use little pocket size Cobra radios when on the road to communicate with others going with us.

I used to have a hard wired CB in the TV and put the Channels I monitored on the back of the TT. I figured someone might let me know if they saw a problem that I should be aware of and it was a way to say howdy to anyone going by. We used to take long vacations, from California to Colorado and into Canada and that was before cell phones were in common use, so it was a good safety tool if we needed assistance.

[hammick]

My friends and I use CBs our our touring bikes. Range isn't more than line of sight (1/2 mile at best) but it is very convenient.

[miatared]

Originally Posted by Snowsail

I'm looking to buy a very small one with all the buttons on the mic and an antenna that wont scratch my truck.
Any suggestions?

I have this one and it works well.

There is a little box hidden, where all the connections are made, and a nice pigtail cable to the CB.

Amazon.com: Cobra 75WXST 40-Channel CB Radio: Car Electronics

[F and E Damp]

I have a CB radio that I removed from a truck I had before I sold it. I've been considering installing it in the MH, but can't decide if it's worth the grief.

The antenna I have is one that went on the inner side of the front fender of the truck and has a cylindrical doo-dad half way along. Would this work if bolted to the side of the MH somewhere above the driver's door?

I'm not sure I need CB, so I'm not wildly enthusiastic about installing it. When CB radios first hit the street, I couldn't have one because I'm not a "C". I'm a legal immigrant Brit, but the initial legislation for CB radios required the user to be a US citizen.

I couldn't own an airplane, but I could communicate by radio when I flew someone else's airplane. I could own a boat but couldn't legally communicate on ship-to-shore radio and I could drive an interstate truck but couldn't use a CB radio.

What a cobbled up mess it was in the late 1960's. Is it any better now?