CB Radio?

[Camper_bob]

Anybody out there running one?

Why? I mean, how do you use it if you are?

Why not?

The old man used to run one back in the day, but with smart phones, I'm not sure I see the point. He never really used it for anything other than getting a heads up on road conditions from OTR truckers... We used to run two rigs, one with dad towing the boat, and one with mom towing the TT (or vice versa). They used to talk to each other using the CB....

 

[chas111]

I grew up with a CB in the 70's and 80's. I put one in my truck in memory of my Grandpa who always had a CB in his vehicles. I do still find it handy when in congested traffic on the highway. Truckers still have them available.

 

[dg1971]

I did a lot of traveling in the 70's and always got a stress headache listening to it while trying to run 65 or 70 when the law was Double Nickel (55mph). One day, I pulled the darn thing out of my car, set the cruise on 55, slipped in an 8 track and started enjoying life on the road again. Kept the CB and used it on vacations with family in other cars...we would find a good quiet channel and visit all the way to our destination. Nowadays if convoying, we use the FRS radios that we also use to back the 5er up and keep track of the kids once we are at our destination.

 

[Bobs A Class]

There is a blog called irv2. Some people on that blog are promoting RVs to monitor channel 13 on the CB. I can think of several advantages to monitoring a channel where RV people can be found. It could be very helpfull or just plane fun. Hope the idea catches on.

 

[RoyBraddy]

I carry a CB under the seat of my truck. It is only used with the squelch turned all the way up which makes it only useable for very close range. This radio sits on CH19 and is primarily used to listen to close proximity truckers.

The purpose is to monitor what is going on around me while enroute on my road trips.

I don't think I have ever communicated with another RV'er over this radio...

When we are walking around the local towns or trails when camping we use either FRS radios or cell phones to stay in contact with each other. FRS Radios are really popular and some towns have FRS REPEATERs setup to extend their range.

CB bands is too full of garbage language now - certainly not family orientation...

Back in the early 60s when the CB 27Mhz band was controlled by FCC with actual CB Licenses issued it was radio of choice for many users. I think my CB Issued FCC Call Sign was KBX5218...

Driving on I40 for many states heading out West you found yourself riding along with the same group of other CB drivers all heading the same direction and making the same rest stops as you were. Met many of CB friends doing this... It was a real thrill after talking with many drivers for many hours along the roadways to actually meet up with each other at a rest stop area or local truck stop.

It was lots of fun back in the day and a good way to stay alert and awake on the long drives.

Now days everyone has cell phone service to keep in touch with family heading down the roadways.

Roy Ken

 

[FPM III]

There is a blog called irv2....

http://www.irv2.com/forums/

 

[Seann45]

Smart phones dont tell you about delays up ahead the same way a CB will ... listening to the truckers can be a source of great entertainment.. except for the few potty mouths...

 

[Iraqvet05-JAY]

... listening to the truckers can be a source of great entertainment.. except for the few potty mouths...

I had a CB several years ago but the potty mouths are why I won't install one....my kids don't need to listen to that.

 

[Rolling Thunder-JAY]

I have one and it comes in very handy when cell phone service isn't available.

 

[Imnaha.Mansion]

Where we like to boondock it's a winding road not really two lanes any more. When we pull the trailer we have someone we a cb out front warning us of oncoming traffic. There is no phone reception in this area.

 

[chrisb-JAY]

The only time I turn mine on is oversize load with escort on ch 4 only. To much BS

 

[wwsmith111]

I've got over 2,000,000 safe miles behind the wheel of an 18 wheeler. My CB stays turned off except when absolutely needed. There is way too much hostility on the road these days. All I need is to listen to everyone blasting everyone else or me. If you buy one you will find out for yourself what I mean. That being said, there are times when they are indispensable. I use Google traffic maps for real time traffic on my smartphone as the traffic on the GPS is almost useless. I like the idea of RVers using a separate channel like 13. You can buy a cheap CB at most truck stops and that is all I would recommend. Back in the day people actually use to use CB radios to help each other... not anymore.

 

[clutch-FRF]

We used a couple of small hand held radios on our trip to Az this fall. The reason we brought them is because we took two vehicles this year. They are aaa powered and we just turn them on and leave them on while traveling. We use them because the cell phones don't always have a connection. We don't use a busy channel.

 

[Bassdogs]

Keep a portable cB handy when we run into road or weather issues. Helps to give you a heads up on jams or accidents and when to exit the interstate ahead of the problem before you get trapped. Generally its off unless conditions or traffic dictates some extra travel help.