CB Radios.....good idea to get one?

[ilyafish]

I am planning on getting one just to keep myself busy on long drives.  Was just curious on how many of you guys have em and use em

[fraser8]

I listen to the truck chatter when on a long drive at least until the language gets coarse. You can hear about road conditions, smokies etc. It's good for a few chuckles to pass the miles away. I don't think I've ever chatted on it, but I have an old ambulance UHF radio programmed on the family channels so I use this when traveling with other friends.   

[Runcutter]

Although I'm not a big fan - particularly the language - having the CB on saved me some trouble. 

On the run back home from buying the coach (New Hampshire to Texas, via New Brunswick Canada), a trucker called me while coming across Tennessee.  We'd lost one nut on the temporary paper license plate, and it was flapping in the breeze.  Pulled off at the next exit, and put the coat hanger wire to work.  I'd prefer not to run 600 or so miles without any license plate.

Arthur

[youknowwho]

I bought one for the rough language as I travel by myself and get tired of cussing out bad drivers by myself. One time I actually used it to check my trailers.

[circusboy90210]

truckers know everything . you'll soon findoutinternet voice chat 4 highway.

[vaunter]

its a excelent tool to find where the cops r hiding and for finding out thy you have ben sitting in the same sopt on I-10 for 3 hrs with out moving
plus u can hear what they say about your rig as they pass you doing 90

[Sean]

I would not be without our CB.

It's virtually useless outside of the Interstate system and major highways, which, for us, is less than 2% of our mileage.  But still, when on those roads, it's a valuable resource.  Also, we are greatly amused by what the truckers are saying about us (and why, pray tell, do they think we can't hear them?).

Additionally, if you ever do a caravan (we did 35 days through Mexico), a CB is more or less a mandatory requirement.

... I have an old ambulance UHF radio programmed on the family channels so I use this when traveling with other friends.   

If by "family channels" you mean FRS, be advised that what you are doing is illegal and carries steep fines.  Only dedicated FRS radios can be used on FRS-only channels.

There are a handful of channels that FRS shares with GMRS, and you can use commercial UHF equipment on these channels so long as it is type-accepted AND you hold a GMRS license.  You will need to follow the strict GMRS rules, including transmitting your call sign every fifteen minutes. FWIW.

-Sean
(who holds a GMRS license in addition to a General Class amateur license)
http://ourodyssey.blogspot.com

[fraser8]

So you are able to sleep tonight, I am licensed.

[white-eagle]

i agree that the language is usually offensive, but it really helps when you are trying to avoid a traffic jam, get out of a traffic jam or get advance warning of a brake check around the next curve.  i keep mine on low volume most of the time.  i would definitely get a CB.

nice comment fraser8.  .  i'm so glad your licensed also. but i wasn't losing any sleep over it either. 

[buswarrior]

As noted, great way for someone else to warn you something is wrong with your rig, and you may tell others something is wrong with theirs.

However, the worst that the human race is able to articulate anonymously must be put up with periodically.

happy coaching!
buswarrior

[grantgoold]

What is a CB Radio? 

Grant

[jackhartjr]

As a part-time/full-time trucker...and a bus-nut, I always hollar at the bus conversions.
In the past year two out of about 50 I have seen have come back.
Most of the time the buses antenna system probably has not had the SWR set and therefore can only transmit and hear for a couple of hundred yards.  With a properly tuned antenna you shoud be able to talk up to one or two miles.  (Or hit the "Special" button like I have and talk for miles and miles!LOL)
Jack

[ilyafish]

Jack, I have a cobra 29 special edition and i had a wilson 1000 antenna but i honestly didnt see too good of results from it.

What kind of antenna would you recommend for a cobra 29?

[TomC]

I firmly believe you should have both a CB radio and a cell phone with you.  Some areas still do not get cell phone coverage-but a CB will always work.  It is especially fun on a clear night playing with it when skip conditions exist.  Sometimes you can talk to someone a couple of states away.  They're just plainly cheap insurance.  Good Luck, TomC

[RJ]

Most of the time the buses antenna system probably has not had the SWR set and therefore can only transmit and hear for a couple of hundred yards.  With a properly tuned antenna you shoud be able to talk up to one or two miles.  (Or hit the "Special" button like I have and talk for miles and miles!LOL)

Jack -

Let's see. . . IIRC. . . The best place on a coach for a CB antenna is right smack dab in the middle of the roof - both front-to-back and side-to-side.  Gives the best "ground plane", or something like that, especially if there aren't a lot of carbunkles up there with it.

Makes it a great target for low-hanging tree limbs, tho!   

Seem to remember that mounting twin antennas on the mirror arms gives a good signal, but it's biased in one direction or the other, can't remember which. . . 

FWIW & HTH. . .