Anyone use CB Radios anymore?

[ChillinOut]

We're getting back into camping after a 10 year absence with a Mini Lite 2502ks. Years ago many used CB Radios to track road conditions and the like, however I remember the language at that time was getting pretty rough and likely has gotten worse.

Does anyone use CB Radios while traveling or any other communications for road conditions, e.g. GPS? Thanks for any info.

[Bikersarge]

I haven't in a while but interested in this thread because I was thinking about it for communication purposes on the interstate with the truckers.

[OldJarHead]

Originally Posted by ChillinOut

We're getting back into camping after a 10 year absence with a Mini Lite 2502ks. Years ago many used CB Radios to track road conditions and the like, however I remember the language at that time was getting pretty rough and likely has gotten worse.

Does anyone use CB Radios while traveling or any other communications for road conditions, e.g. GPS? Thanks for any info.

Like you, years ago I used the CB. My handle was "The Honey Loving Teddy Bear" - ha! This day and age we've evolved to using smart phone apps during travel. One we use all the time is called Waze. Not only does it report road conditions, speed traps, traffic jams, & accidents, it provides GPS/navigation to your destination. Plus it's free. Uses very little data.

[mwdilday]

Truckers probably use them still but not sure. I have often thought about getting one but nowhere to mount an antenna that I think would be ok. Not a big fan of the magnetic base antennas on my shiny new truck plus it is all aluminum so it wouldn't stick anyway.

[Flybob]

Many truckers still use them, however the language has not improved as you suspected. If you are looking for company while traveling alone and don't mind the language you can try it. If you are traveling with family I would pass. X2 on waze. In most cases you should not be concerned about speed traps etc when towing vs running deadhead.

[ChillinOut]

As I suspected, not much fun listening to truckers trying to out swear each other. I'll try that WAZE and maybe renew my satellite radio subscription and listen to talk radio. Flybob is right about no worries concerning speed traps towing the trailer. Years ago it was helpful to get the scoop on traffic problems and the like.
Thanks

[mwdilday]

If you have unlimited data there are some radio apps for the iPhone that are pretty good.

[TheWolfPaq82]

Breaker 1-9...this be the Timber Wolf west bound on 90, looking for a bear report to Rapid city. How bout you eastbounders...any bears to the west ?...come on !!
Started in the early 70's at the beginning with 23 channels and rode the rush of the 40 channels and rode it out till the end. Still have 2 Cobra's, 1 Midlands mobile's and a Midlands handheld 40 channel. Had a Browning Golden Eagle for base station.
Call sign...KJB8981

[stephndudb]

We took an 1800 mile trip a couple of months ago - mostly on I-80 - and had the CB on channel 19. Years ago, that channel would have been full of lots of trucker chatter. Seemed to be a lot less now. As others have said there are other ways to get road information today. The CB from our old truck is in a box in my office now. Also wondering if it's worth installing in the new truck.

[Nurek]

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

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

[twiggw]

No. Save your money.

[Bogy]

Like Timber Wolf I started with CBs in the 70s, back when you needed a license to use one legally. When they did away with the licenses and FCC monitoring of the channels, things started to go downhill. Then a period of heavy sunspot activity killed reception and people lost interest. Cell phones were the final nail. I haven't bothered firing up one of my radios for some time, and when I did, there was nothing I wanted to hear. We did use some of the FRS radios for awhile, but that was also prior to unlimited talk on cell phones.

[Pilot172]

I use a Midland handheld that plugs in to the big antenna and lighter. Many of the campers/rigs on the highway have them and are pretty good about letting us know if they see something on the rig that doesn't look right. (Stairs down, something flapping in the wind, lights out, etc.)

Language is a problem on CH19, but it's just me and the wife most of the time. I use Waze for all the other stuff, but a on a late night run it keeps me company when the wife is sleeping.

Been on the CB since the early 70's and it isn't the same today, but sometimes it provides entertainment. Running the east coast as "Sundown".

[JoeyNiq]

Say what you want, but I have a CB in my truck and even made a mount to work in an '07 Corvette. I upgrade my dually every 2-3 years and keep one in the new one with a 1K amp under the rear seat.

Now... if you want to know how often it is usable, you will probably get more use out of a flux capacitor. Mine is mounted inside my center console (Chevy 3500HD) out of sight & out of mind. I keep the squelch up to keep the noise out of the daily use. I travel a lot between Baton Rouge and Houston so I hear when the truckers start talking and can usually get tips way ahead of Waze which is always running in a vent clip on my dash. For instance, I knew 30 miles ahead a truck lost it's load and was able to get off the highway on a bypass before Waze could tell me anything. **I don't always enter a destination into Waze unless I don't know where I am going**.

A CB is still helpful for local info (apps do this) or for checking on others (truckers/RVers) on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere. I do not recommend buying a top of the line model unless you want to have it peaked and tuned. Something just to listen is all you need if you still like them.

[hankpac]

Ham radio, but not for traffic.
GMRS but only for vehicle to vehicle, and for ground guiding into a back-in.

[BobHanke]

CB's are still out there and being used. Have noticed that the truckers tend to be more active in the late afternoon. Probably to avoid dozing off. I have a radio in the mh and turn on when it looks like a problem ahead such as accidents and road construction. You will get tips on which lane to use, etc.
My handle is Samurai and had a call sign of KXA-4517 back in the license required days. 10-4 on the rough language and high powered advertising from some truck stops. My Cobra also picks up the weather channels which is another nice safety feature.

[TonyShope]

Recently purchased a CB for around $300 as a base station and antennae on both rigs. No very few ever use it any longer. I bought it out of a desire for old time memories. Traveled through ND, NM, CO, NB, KS, IA, WI and MN. Top of the line unit and on scan not one call out. I returned same, tested its functionality with a friend and had good reception from our old Combine with a new unit they use on the farm. Good at 22 miles but no one is out there any longer. It has all gone FM and over the internet now.

[dmlranhc]

Yes I have a cb radio. Used mostly when my other siblings and I are travelling together to know who wants and needs to do what. Not as many other users on line, so less interference with my vehicle entertainment system. As far as road information, that is where the down side is with fewer users. Harder to get anyone to give information. Anyway, I find mine handy for many reasons.

[DrLewie]

I would...but my wife won't let me.

[stephndudb]

Originally Posted by DrLewie

I would...but my wife won't let me.

This could apply to many things...