How useful is a CB radio?

[JimF]

From one old Retired, CWO, Viet-Nam vet (Combat Engineer) to another, welcome to the forum. I have had a good custom built Cobra CB in my truck since we bought our first one 15 years ago. The first time we used it the air was filled with potty mouths and garbage. It has been under the back seat, disconnected, ever since. I don't even know if it still works, but I have a CB... We are in no hurry, if there is a traffic jam we call it camping and take a break.

[rames14]

One of the things about the CB with weather radio. You can't turn off the weather warnings, and when they come on, they are loud. But, you do find out when there is severe weather headed your way. We use it for both the weather and road conditions. Whenever we see a backup, it's hard to know if it's a few hundred yards or twenty miles.

[ols1932]

We use ours strictly for finding out about possible traffic slow-downs or tie-ups. On clear stretches of freeways, I leave it off.

Orv

[PapaBeav]

I have had one for several years now that was given to me by our son. It comes in handy if you are caravanning, but other than that I don't use it much anymore.

[Freeda II]

Just prior to our first long trip for 4 1/2 months, this was one of the questions which I had asked on this forum. Once all the answers came in I invested the $'s for one. Now into our 3rd month of travel I could honestly say it has been convenient. A couple of times we had been in some traffic delays on I95. Turned on the CB and low and behold we immediately found out from the truckers as to why we were backed up. After the spring rally in Kerrville we planned on heading back to Myrtle Beach. When Dave and Kathy said that we should travel back together to Mobil, Alabama the CB was very helpful on channel 14. I guess even though there are lot of new ways to communicate this was still serving a purpose for us.

[deerrahn]

We carry ours with us all the time when on the road. I went to T/A (they had a specialist) and they recommended the antenna and hooked it up. When at home, using the truck the antenna is in the box in the truck bed. The biggest disappointment is trying to get ahold of a "Montana Unit" going the other way. Apparently noone has a CB or does not have it on. The last time I used it, was 2 weeks ago when some trucker was calling the "Tampa Bay Area" all kinds of names and was glad to see it in his rearview mirror. I politely told him to keep on going and not come back. We have enough potty mouthed people in the are and we don't need his. His response was what you would expect. They are worth having.

[Art-n-Marge]

DW and I have our own cell phones. I have a GPS for POIs and satellite capability in my GPS for traffic in big towns and the weather channel for everywhere else I also have the CB as shown in my Sig - just for over the air communications, mostly with truckers. I wish others we caravanned with had CBs, but some of us use FMRS radios for that but we can usually only talk amongst our caravan.

Picture this... DW or I gets a cell call (yes, I use a hands-free device) from a caravan member that we need to "plan" for a stop. We then use FMRS to contact others about the plan, then use the GPS to find a stop. And if we are in a caravan and there seems to be a traffic problem they ask me to contact the truckers cuz I have the only CB and get the info. Then we juggle the radio and cell phone to let everyone else know what's going on. Then you have the replies with "But I don't like that place" or "It's too expensive", "can we reroute?", etc. Being a middle man can be a pain.

[danandbetty]

OKAY...I'm convinced that a CB radio can be useful and fill a gap along the continuum of communications. Can't hurt to have one - I think I'll progably install a Cobra 'all in the handset' type with cophased antennas so there's good for/aft coverage around the 5er. I suppose being concerned over a couple of hundred bucks at this point is counter productive. It would be nice if most MOC members had one...at least we could say hello along the route as we pass.

Art...I hear ya about being the middle man in a gaggle. A point well made! Happy trails and thanks for the info. ...dan

[trlrboy]

I like the way my antenna looks on the truck. Other than that, if the CB had not been given to me for free I likely would not have put it in. 10-4 Big Dog, down and on the side...

[radioattic]

I used to have a nice K40 unit for a two-hour commute when I was still on active duty years ago. It would keep me awake.

I remember there was an old f*rt in Pensacola who went by the handle of "Pappy." When Pappy turned on the linear, he would babble on and on, daring people to shut him down, etc., etc. You could hear him for miles and miles and miles... It's been over twenty years now, so Pappy is probably no longer with us.

I think if I was going to do a lot of traveling again, a unit like the hand-control Cobra would be a good investment.

[5thWheeler]

IMO, not in Alaska, most are HAMs. Furthermore, the language and junk on a CB causes us to turn the thing off, now deep-sixed. Therefore, it depends on where you are going and your intent.

You might look into HAM radio-- for many reasons, safety being one of these. Others are world wide communication, weather, email, position reporting, hobbie, an organization, and many others. Check out the link for more about HAMs.

The exam is easy, can be taken after a bit of study, and affords one an opportunity to communicate world-wide. The test questions and answers are on the Internet at the following link:

http://www.arrl.org/

The only kink is that it takes a bit of effort, but not too much.

Mike

[Tfthorp]

Montana owners should use a quiet channel to talk to one another as they are traveling. Having not used one for years I don't know which channel would be best. I'm investing in one for the trip to Ak starting in June.

[richfaa]

The only thing wrong with that is when onon 19 you will not hear the things you need to hear. Traffic, etc. We use family radios to communacate when Helen is driving the car to Florida and we both have the CB radio on 19..better range also.

[Leaseit]

I'm with Rich, there is an on-off switch when the talkl is foul, but the truckers have saved us a couple time long before we would otherwise known about a problem. Two diffrent interstate closings, one due to a Dam busrt and another due to major accident which was a 80 mile detour. Also, when we do run into back up, it is great to know before what lane to be in.
And, if i see a Montana, i blink the lights and give a holler to see if they have a radio on listening.
Randy

[Tfthorp]

OK I see the need but if you would like to talk to a channel that you would have a good chance of talking to another monty

[richfaa]

We have never in 4 years contacted a passing Montana on the CB. If you are both going 65MPh in opposite directions that is a closing speed of 130 mph. By the time you identify the other camper as a Montana and assuming they identify you as a Montana by the time you both reach for the mic and yell you are most likely out of range. Same with blinking lights.By the time you identify and blink the Montana is gone.

[exav8tr]

I started out with a CB all in one unit. I used it a few times to check weather. Left it in my 2500 when I sold it and have never seen the need for one. I have travelled from Alaska to Florida to Maine to Missouri to San Diego and many places in between. Don't see the need for one anymore. I was an avid "Silver Tongue Devil" back in the 70's, but gave it up a long time ago. Save your money, buy more diesel...

[clutch]

We use two small protable radios. Because Sallie and I each are in a different vehicle we find a channel that is quiet and that is the one we use. The Tom tom is in her truck and I just follow with the 5er. They are handy for a heads up about whats ahead and when and where to pull over for a break. I will never mount one in my truck.

[Tfthorp]

I'll save my money to buy diesel with the rising cost I think I'll need the $'s.