CB Radio Etiquette

[David Pendleton]

I just bought my first CB radio... I remember when 'Convoy' was a number-one hit, watched BJ & the Bear, and witnessed the whole CB radio craze of the late 70's...



I'm sure things have changed since then.



I spend enough time on the road hauling the boat around, I thought it might be worth my while having a CB radio, so I bought one.



I've found lots of sites explaining 10-codes, and the like, but I'm looking for a general-purpose CB site. One that explains the etiquette observed today, and what not.



I'm eager to use my radio, but I'd like to read a little how-to...



Anyone have any suggestions?



Thanks much.



Dave

 

[jandtjil]

etiquette. . ?? Maybe in Minn, certainly not here in lost wages nev.



I believe most CB operations prob originated with HAM radio, so you might search in that direction.

My advice would be:

-dont sit on popular channels and carry on long conversations, go to another channel

-if you need to interupt a conversation to make a comment, ask question or what not, use "Break"

-enjoy your new radio!! What did you buy?



JJ

 

[David Pendleton]

I bought a Midland 75-820 with all the goodies...

 

[MichaelWright]

Etiquette? The CB has become like the game of golf. Every yahoo on the planet is on the CB, just like they are on the golf course. I quit playing a few years ago, and try to keep the CB in the off position. If you have children with you, keep the darn thing off, it makes friday night HBO look tame in comparison.



Oh, your up there around St. Paul. Most guys are pretty decent up there, just be careful around the TA Truckstop if you have kids in the truck. Or any truckstop for that matter. The farther south or east you go, the worse it gets.



Mike

 

[lowboy]

Dave,



I quit listening to my CB when I quit trucking. It had started getting so bad that I couldn't find out anything about traffic conditions but could find every hooker or pill pusher within a 100 mile radius. I still carry one with it in case of emergencies, but I haven't listened to it in years.



Just use common sense and remember: as long as you've got the mike keyed you can't hear anybody else and no one close to you can hear anything but what you're saying. They taught us in the fire service to break up a long transmission so that if someone needed to jump in with an emergency they could. That isn't as important on a CB but it is courteous.

 

[GFrance]

The only advantage of having a cb these days is if your traveling with a group of friends & are off the main channel. Makes a long trip more enjoyable.

I run up & down the interstate hauling fuel & us tanker drivers have a specific channel we run. The only time I go to the truckers channel is in bad weather or there is a wreck up ahead. Like stated above if you have kids in the truck keep yhe cb off around populated areas.

Good Luck

 

[AfterBurner]

Gotten to where i fell naked going down the road without one.

Great to keep you updated on wrecks, traffic conditions and especially when your trying to make good time, cops. also nice if your pullin a trailer and something is wrong that you can't see, someone might be kind enough to holler at you. also helps at about 3 am after 14 hours on the road, and your trying to stay awake .

have been saved driving through WY in winter and catching the warnings going out.

Yes, you do get some bad traffic on the radio fairly often, but in that case you can just flip the switch off.

"don't leave home without it!"

 

[JoshPeters]

Dave,

10 codes are kind of nice just for a referance.

What's your 20... location

that's probably the most common asked.

Bear=Cop

Taking a picture= Cop using radar

Smokey= cop

Chicken coop=Weigh station

they use the mile markers to let you know where things are happening... .

"There's a bear at the 145 taking a picture of the southbound lane"

I'm sure I'll think of more as time goes on... . I've been without my truck for almost a month... and my radio is in it.



If you have any questions... shoot me a PM... I'm in your area!

Josh

 

[bgilbert]

I'm eager to use my radio, but I'd like to read a little how-to...

How to? No different than talking to someone in person. 10 codes? Half the drivers out there won't have a clue what they are, I do, but I could care less what they are. Whats your 20? 10-33, 20 being location, 33 being accident. Thats all ya need to know IMO. Channel 19 for the travel channel. If running with friends or family you would take it to any other channel other than 19 to carrying on a conversation. Theres no secret codes, no 'technique' of saying things, just speak it how ya see it, no biggy. And yes if you have kids with you, turn off the radio for the most part, turning it on in the event of traffic accident etc.

 

[big jake 1]

don't forget to say





"OVER... ... "











big jake



THE FORD GUY Oo. Oo. Oo.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

GEE all those posts and not ONE



10-4 good buddy...

 

[David Pendleton]

Never mind...

After thinking about it a bit, and based on what I read here, I decided to send it (the radio) back.



I don't know what I was thinking I would use the thing for, anyway.



Thanks all.



Dave

 

[bmoeller]

good buddy

Don't use that, unless you're *****.

 

[Alphacowboy]

ah, you sent it back... that sucks. Was hoping i might run across ya on the road and say hello! Oh well, I like mine, and have to fix the damn antennas right now though (new metal plate for where the stacks are and where i mounted the ant. is too thick for the bolt through mount... ) anyway, I love it in traffic, gives you some entertainment value, and works greatf or if you missed an exit and wana know an alternate route, been there, done that.



Over and out... .

 

[AfterBurner]

hey!

ya'll can't forget 10-100 that's the most important! :-laf



if you want to learn CB talk listen to "Convoy" a few times and you'll be well on your way.

Heck i listen to it just cause it's a great song!

 

[rmrc]

CB chaos

I first got into CB back in the early 60's. It was still pretty much regulated like the HAM frequencies. It was only a few years later that it turned into a "free for all"! From what I remember, the FCC just didn't have the man power to deal with the amount of people that got into the CB craze of the time. They just turned a blind eye to the mis-use of the CB bands.



Now, the channels are cluttered with every kind of half wit who's only purpose is to fill the air ways with total nonsense! I rarely use mine. I have it rigged to be portable so I can transfer it between vehicles. Haven't used it in years. When traveling in a group, we bought a set of those walkie's. If we get seperated by a longer distance than the walkie's can handle, we get on the cell phones.



Too bad! The CB could really be a great tool if the regulation that are still ( I think) in place could be enforced. Just my opinion.

 

[JR2]

I suggest you go out and rent "Convoy" and watch it a few times. That along with "Smokey and the Bandit" and you will be all set to make new friends on the CB.



Just start every converstaion with "Breaker 19 good buddy" and end it with "over and out"

 

[CGriffith]

Is the midland 75-820 a handheld? If so your probably not going to do a whole lot of conversing with truckers. Most have turned up big radios and will walk all over you.

Here's some reading for ya

FCC rules

CB Slang

10-XX codes

I didn't see my favorite in the slang: Seatcover

Most of this stuff is B. S. Just talk like you normally do and be courteous. Any body hear the CB savage song? Always thought that was funny. keep the bugs off you your bumper and the bears off your arse. I'm gone. By By