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Old 09-27-2015, 02:09 PM   #1
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Question How many people are using CB radios these days?

How many people are still using CB radios out on the road these days?
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Old 09-27-2015, 02:14 PM   #2
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We still do, but the language is so bad we only turn it on when it looks like there is a traffic problem.

Recently licensed for HAM operation and hoping the Amateur bands will be more uniformly useful while traveling.
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Old 09-27-2015, 10:12 PM   #3
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I still do, I run ch. 13 for rv'ers and 19 when traffic backs up.
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Old 09-28-2015, 12:37 AM   #4
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http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ad.php?t=85814


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Old 09-28-2015, 01:20 AM   #5
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CB Radio - do you use one?? - Forest River Forums


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The link above is to an extensive FROG discussion on CB radios. So I have decided to get one mainly for the possibility of finding myself in a remote place without cell service and having an emergency. Could be a life saver.

Case closed.
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Old 09-28-2015, 03:00 AM   #6
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We still do, but the language is so bad we only turn it on when it looks like there is a traffic problem.
Been a while since doing a break one-nine but it (language) can't be any worse than it was in the 70s.
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Old 09-28-2015, 05:06 AM   #7
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I still use one. The cell phone can not replace it for certain circumstances.
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Old 09-28-2015, 10:24 AM   #8
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Some of you may consider getting a ham radio license, Technician class. There are currently 3 levels of license, Technician, General class and Amateur Extra. You are then able to operate on 2 meters, 70cm, 6 meters and a portion of 10 meters with a Technician license. Transceivers can be bought anywhere from $30 (hand held-HT) to $300 (mobile). The higher the cost the more bells and whistles. Generally UHF/VHF transceivers operate at levels up to 75 watts but technically they can use up to 1500 watts of power. Not for everyone but for emergency use it can't be beat. Many of the truckers now are using 2 meter radios. Much more range, can be up to 20-25 miles (depending on terrain). With the use of linked repeaters could be 5-600 miles. No cost for the license but there is a $15 fee to take the license exam. The license is good for 10 years and renewable every 10 years after that, no charge. You can purchase license manuals online from Amazon or ham radio online dealers and book stores and take sample exams online also. I am a ham radio VE (Volunteer Examiner) in the Atlanta area and exams can be taken all across the US. There are multiple exam locations every week in our area so finding a place to take an exam is no problem. Also there is no blue language used or you will be fined or spend time in jail if caught (and you WILL be caught).

If you are interested you can find lots of info online. Go to ARRL.org to find local clubs, exam sites, manuals, and all around information about the hobby. Or just do a Google search on the hobby. The saying is "When all else fails, Ham Radio"
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Old 09-28-2015, 10:26 AM   #9
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Have one but have not used in years. Moth balled for now. Later RJD
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Old 09-28-2015, 10:33 AM   #10
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We have one in our truck - Like Herk - for emergencies only. As long as we have cell service, Waze is a better traffic reporter than CB.

I am sriously considering a technician license - those Ham radios have some serious range!
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Old 09-28-2015, 10:47 AM   #11
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I had a CB in my Winnebago for years with only 1 or 2 chats ever made. It did save us from waiting in a traffic jamb in SLC once 10 years ago. Have used it a few times caravanning, but other wise out here in California and the west it just took up space. Not going to move it over to the Forester, it's going in the garage.
I do have a Ham license and mounted the antenna on the roof ladder. Repeaters everywhere, but never heard people on the road in RVs calling .520. So the Yaesu is in the garage with the Cobra.
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Old 09-28-2015, 11:48 AM   #12
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Studying now for my General license.
Hope to take it next month.
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Old 09-28-2015, 12:38 PM   #13
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Studying now for my General license.
Hope to take it next month.
Good Luck to you Lou! I have ben a lazy ***** I had hoped to take my technician exam this month but I'll be lucky to get that box checked by the end of the year...you retirees have all the time!
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Old 09-28-2015, 01:36 PM   #14
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Good Luck to you Lou! I have ben a lazy ***** I had hoped to take my technician exam this month but I'll be lucky to get that box checked by the end of the year...you retirees have all the time!
Night classes; check your local club.
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Old 09-28-2015, 01:55 PM   #15
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I have a ham radio UHF/VHF and even HF. On the back of the RV, I even have a decal with my call sign (AI4SR) and 146.52 on it. I have never received a call and while listening there all the time, have only heard ANYONE talking on that freq 3 times.. (I have been told that is is more widely used in parts of the country.) While ham radio is great in itself, unless you are caravanning with other hams. It is pretty useless (for RV use). I have monitored the FRS frequencies and find people on those channels quite often. I don't know if there is any informal travel frequency/channel on FRS, but for many reasons it would be a far better method of highway communication. (no tests, inexpensive equipment, decent range, FM "capture effect", and even tone lock if you want to go private car to car.
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Old 09-28-2015, 02:06 PM   #16
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There is a lot less chatter on the CB than in the past. I still like my CB to alert me to traffic problems ahead. It has saved me a bunch of hours of backup over the years.
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Old 09-28-2015, 05:59 PM   #17
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Interesting chat re CB. I bought my first CB rig in1965 long before the national 55. MPH law made them more common amongst truckers. I hadn't thought about putting in the truck or camper, but having one in my car did give my parents some comfort when I started diving back and forth between NJ and Kansas for college. I actually got someone in western PA to relay a msg via land line to them once when I realized that I was way past due for a "I'm ok " call. ...quite a big deal back then when they still charged by the minute. Btw that call was made using a vacuum tube 5 channel Johnson Messenger. That radio is long gone but I stil have an old Lafayette 23 channel vac tube unit that still works.
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Old 09-29-2015, 06:39 AM   #18
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We use one for caravanning. Works great and more reliable than cell phone in some places. We like to keep a little distance between us while travelling together and a CB works good to keep in touch. We find an empty channel and stay there. Seldom get on the trucker channel.
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Old 09-29-2015, 08:43 PM   #19
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Just so some of you don't get anxious about the license exam for Technician, about a month ago we gave the exam to seven (6 girls and 1 boy) 5th grade students and 2 (girls) of them passed (one didn't miss any questions) and 2 missed passing by one wrong answer too many. This was 10yo's so you big boys (and girls) should be able to handle it. My theory about young boys and girls passing the exams is that, #1 they are used to regimented study, and #2 there mind is not cluttered with distractions like I need to go the grocery store, house payment is due, dog got sick and all the other distractions that adults are confronted with. We have had 12 year olds pass all three exams in one session and believe me the Extra Class exam can be a problem.
For radio activity, there is more traffic on local repeaters than simplex and some radios will search for repeater traffic as you travel. Lots of OTR truck drivers are switching to ham radio. We tested one just yesterday who said he spends 28 days on the road each month. Some companies will not let drivers have a radio in a company truck but the independents have some pretty nice equipment in their sleeper compartment.
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Old 09-29-2015, 08:49 PM   #20
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BamaBob you have one of the biggest online ham equipment retailers in the US in your back door. Gigaparts in Huntsville. I'll bet if you stop by their store they could steer you to a "Elmer" (instructor) that will help you get your license. There is also one of the largest "hamventions" in the SE at the Huntsville coliseum every August.
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