Anyone use CB Radios anymore?

[TitanMike]

Only reason I have one is because I didn't throw my last one away. It's a cheap Radio Shack CB that's about the size of a large "Paperback Novel".

Antenna attaches to the utility rail in my pickup bed and radio plugs into a power outlet. I only turn it on when I see traffic slowing or in nasty weather.

For entertainment I plug an MP-3 player into the auxilliary input of my dash radio or have a book read to me from a CD. (Driving across Montana is a 2-book trip ) If traveling with family or friends the GMRS radios are more convenient, less noisy, and language more family friendly.

[Delco Bobby]

This thread got me interested in CB again. Had radio on from SE PA to south of Baltimore. Never heard a peep other than occasional static.

KARL 4747

[wuffwuff]

I have a 40 channel Radio Shack hand held on my truck console tray ready to use if traffic starts to back up. Like others I can get in the correct lane (accident or construction). It's not on, but plugged in to the power outlet. When needed I reach down beside the seat for the coax and plug it in, to monitor traffic.
KAXA 3433

[drmoparPHD]

EAST BOUND AND DOWN-When I travel with my friends, we use CB. Free, cheap, and easy. Can't talk on cell in CA without a cop noticing. I wanted a new rig with all channels, weather, SSB, and more. About $119.00. Easy mount with Genos bracket and no drill ant. mount. I also have a small walkie talkie for assistance when backing in a site if we need it. Could not get cell service at our last site. Not big fan of the trash, but we use a quiet channel. .......why did it change to Italic?

[stephndudb]

We were traveling through MA on Columbus Day with our camping buddies, using CB to chat as we went. We were on Channel 19 the whole time and didn't hear anyone else. At one point I said, "weird how there's nobody else on Channel 19 anymore," and some anonymous driver replied, "I'm here!" Made us laugh!

We were both using Midland 75-822 radios, which are tiny units that can be moved from vehicle to vehicle, and mag-mount antennas. Very pleased with the range and clarity, maybe better than FRS, and we had all 40 channels to ourselves. This is actually a great time to use CB if you want to chat with traveling buddies.

[TheWolfPaq82]

Originally Posted by stephndudb

We were traveling through MA on Columbus Day with our camping buddies, using CB to chat as we went. We were on Channel 19 the whole time and didn't hear anyone else. At one point I said, "weird how there's nobody else on Channel 19 anymore," and some anonymous driver replied, "I'm here!" Made us laugh!

We were both using Midland 75-822 radios, which are tiny units that can be moved from vehicle to vehicle, and mag-mount antennas. Very pleased with the range and clarity, maybe better than FRS, and we had all 40 channels to ourselves. This is actually a great time to use CB if you want to chat with traveling buddies.

I still own two midlands, a HyGain, and a Cobra CB. I carry a Radio Shack TRC-236 40 channel handheld in the trailer, just to listen to sometimes...but hey ! some emergency, this may be the only communication.
Started in the CB world in 1975.
We had a Browning Golden Eagle in our house till 1990.

[Roving Ron]

Originally Posted by Nurek

From what I've heard the truckers are on VHF now.

How many truckers are running VHF ? Is CB dying ? | WorldwideDX Radio Forum

Getting a Ham Radio license allow them to legally run 1,000 Watts. Legally CB allows only 4 Watts. Of course that didn’t prevent them from illegally running more and I suspect there are some running Ham Radio gear without a license although the FCC and legal Ham Radio operators are less tolerant of “bandits”.

[67L48]

I put CBs in my kids' trucks when they turned 16. It's a fun toy and it's easy to hook up a $7 PA speaker to them, too. They use them sparingly with a few other kids.

I'm going to put one in my F150 soon ... just need to figure out a mounting location and face-plate solution. I mainly want it to communicate with big rigs on I70 going over the pass (CO). It can be handy.

Just remember to calibrate the antenna using a SWR meter. And, also, avoid the cool-looking, but poor-performing dual antenna setup.

Good luck.

[Jakieboy]

We have such fond memories of a cross-country trip in 1976 with our CB radio tuned into the traffic on I-70 coming East out of Denver. Hooked up with a "convoy" that took us all the way to Chicago!! The lead Porsche driver had a radar detector and Police Band scanner so we throttled back from 90 mph whenever "Winter Hawk" advised that there were police on the horizon.


We still keep a couple of portable CB's in our rig for emergency situations. So far, no need to use the CB's. My OnStar system works miracles when we need roadside assistance.

[Jmkjr72]

I haven't had 9ne hooked up in a couple of years but I still have a few to include my grandfathers old t charlie one and a modified cobra 29 plus a few others.

[Jakieboy]

Any of you still using CB radios on the highway, just tune into Channel 16 and ask for the "California Cookie Monster". If I'm on the air, I will respond.

[stephndudb]

Originally Posted by Jakie-Boy

Any of you still using CB radios on the highway, just tune into Channel 16 and ask for the "California Cookie Monster". If I'm on the air, I will respond.

We used to hang out on Channel 13 because 19 was so busy. Now we are finding 19 mostly silent and we're hanging out there. Easier for someone to find us if they want to warn us about a problem with the trailer, etc.

[stephndudb]

https://www.google.com/amp/amp.bnd.c...162459488.html