CBs for Safety and Driving Conditions

[LesStallings]

I'm old enough the have had a CB with tubes and crystals and later a more modern one in a "hippie van", Dodge van or course. This was before cell phones and radar detectors and the CB was good for safety and getting driving conditions.



With today's technology (cell phones & GPS), how useful are CBs?? I'm sure there is an element of entertainment and an element of trash over the airwaves.



What do you guys think? What CB chanels do the professionals use, the RV'ers use, etc? Is it worth the negatives??



THANKS

 

[RVPILOT]

C B's

A big yes, I've lost track of the miles and time saved by monitering the truckers channels, 19 in most states, 17 and 15 on I 5 in Ca. one usally hears about accidents,and constructions delays and a detour might be available. there is a lot of crap and C B Rambos on the air. Good Luck, Stormy

 

[tURBOdIEZEl]

channel 7 is used quite frequently for emegencies. i agree, 19 has gotten pretty bad. i usually run 26, and channel 3 when skip is running pretty hard.

 

[bmoeller]

They are nice to have, even in good driving conditions. A cell phone/GPS won't let you know of an accident/ backed up traffic ahead or if you like to drive fast, where the cops are sitting at.



Don't talk on it much in the pick-up, but use it alot trucking. Some of the grain terminals I go to, use them to talk to the people in the scale house for load info. Also have used it a guy had a strap break, or a loose chain, that kind of stuff.



If you don't care for inappropriate language, it is generally the worst around truckstops, around cities and after 5PM/at dusk when some of the drivers start getting bored. Not too many that do that sort of thing where I run most of the time. Have had to turn the radiod down a few times because of it.



Mostly, truckers use CH. 19. There are few others I use, but most other people don't use those.



I've been running a CB in my different pick-up trucks for the past 10 years. Also had one in my school car, when I went to tech school. Was able avoid getting stuck in traffic near an accident several times.

 

[R C Cola]

CB Value ! ??

I will share an experience that happened to me a couple weeks ago. Going north on I-15 cresting a hill south of Nephi, Ut clean dry roads lite mist of snow, nite and few others on the road. CB on but turned down. Listening to syrius radio. Heard a trucker say "" We got one going in the ditch,"" I reached over turned the volume up as I lifted my foot off the fuel. Immediately started to slow with brakes, traction still good. Topped the rise to see two cars sliding ! 5 or 6 cars ahead of me with brake lites on. As I approached the two cars slid off the road ahead of me. As I came into that same area it became appearrant what caused the problem was a thin layer of ice with fresh dry snow also thin layer laying on top. Still slick and dangerous but at 25 MPH was able to drive on no problem. No need to stop, lots of help and no one hurt, just off the road. I shudder to think what may have been had I hit that at 55 or 60 with cars stopped in front of me. Tow trucks made money that nite. ..... R C

 

[wcjp]

I run both CB and Ham. I've "heard" that Ham radio's can also listen to State Patrol for realtime traffic reports.



The CB has saved me from a few tickets. Also, very convenient when traveling with another vehicle.

 

[ndurbin]

I usually only use my CB when traveling with another vehicle. And I used it to BS with my college buddies on the way to our ag. diesel classes and around town. Theres alotta crap on 19 so I usually switch it off unless some emergency requires me to flip it on or I run on a diff. channel.



Nathan

 

[BTighe]

i bought one when i first got my truck. i dont talk much but listen in alot. good for spotting hwy patrol. i thought 19 and 9 where supposed to be for emergencies only. listening to truckers bs each other is great enertainment. went to windover in july and on the way home heard some lady advertising a 5'10" 120lb female with "weapons of mass destruction. " :-laf

 

[Larv]

When driving through Wells, NV, i heard a lady advertise a place for the truckers to stop, eat, and shower. She said they also had a "place to park their *big rigs*". Larv

 

[rblomquist]

CB's are still a very valuable tool while traveling (especially towing). I don't know how many times we've avoided accidents, snarls, and speeding tickets because of running it but it's a lot. Yes sometimes it gets busy (annoying) but more often it's useful than a pain.

 

[BStoecker]

I have mine on whenever I am in the truck and on the highway. It's better and cheaper than any fuzz buster. I have spent many trips talking to truck drivers and losing a lot of miles while doing it. You do get some really stupid people out there and the pavement politicians though. I just turn it down and crank up the Sirius for a while and hope they are going the other direction...

 

[dtygart]

Use mine all the time--even local to help out of town drivers find an address. Big help on the I-states, keep you posted to accidents, road conditions, weather (chail up or not), and of course the "smokies". Even though I am in my pickup, I trade info with the big rigs. Even good late at night when I get sleepy and can talk to a driver going my way for an hour or so. Once on I-5 in CA I was falling asleep in the fast lane, and some truckers turned me in; when CHP came by to check on me, he called me on the CB, woke me and told me to get some coffee at the next off ramp! I have called in wrong way dirvers (cars of course) on the I-state, I know that helped a lot of people.

 

[dtygart]

BTW that's "chain up", not "chail up"! Also forgot to mention I also use 2-meter ham, gps and cell phone.

 

[MichaelWright]

It's a love hate relationship. It has saved my tail end many a times. But, I drive for a living, so it is a neccesary evil.



The other night, I crawl into bed, and the wife whispers in my ear, "I ain't got no panties on" I say (react), "Shut up STUPID!" Damn CB!



Mike

 

[yogibear]

Michael, I've heard a lotta reactions blamed on the CB, but thats a new one!! Did she bite yer ear off?? :-laf

 

[MichaelWright]

huhhh, Wha'd you say?

 

[RRoton]

I used a CB all the time back when we had the 55mph speed limit.

Got rid of the thing when they got rid of that stupid 55mph nonsense.

However, I have been thinking about getting one for the truck. Are the truckers still using AM, or has everyone switched to SSB now?

 

[MichaelWright]

We are still on AM channel 19, unless you are out in CA, channel 17 and I forget the other. Some have the ssb, but that is more of a hobby for most of those guys. Although, some of the LTL carriers run on ssb, but they are usually talking to other guys from their particular company.



Mike

 

[LesStallings]

It looks like a CB may be worth considering.



Is a WalMart low end ($39) CB "good enough" or is there a clear advantage of a more expensive unit.



Also, does anyone know of a AM/FM/CB antenna that will fit on 3rd Gen trucks in the stock location?

 

[MichaelWright]

Les,



I think you should look for a CB that will fit your truck. Mounting it seems to be the biggest problem. I think one of the TDR members is making a CB mount that fits between your front seat center and dash, bolted to the floor board.



I will probably go with the Cobra all in one unit. The controls, speaker and mike are all in the hand unit. The actual guts are in a small box that goes under the seat or dash. I had one in my Toyota, worked good, but a little hard to hear at times. I would stick with the Uniden or Cobra, but that is just me. A good place to find one is at the Pilot Truck Stop or Flying J in Vegas. I think they are off of Cheyenne and I-15, just south of the Speedway. If in Nashville, again the Pilot or TA, I think they are at the same exit. And I think I recall a CB shop at the TA Truck Stop. Been awhile since I have been the the Guitar.



As far as antennas and mounts, you are pretty limited. I know of nothing that will go in the stock location, maybe someone knows. There is always the magnetic mount, Wilson is a good choice. And there is a stake pocket mount, but I can't recall who makes it. There is also a bracket that mounts at the back of the truck, between the fender and tailgate.



Hope this helps.



Mike