CBC radio

valhalla360 wrote:

mowermech wrote:
Regardless of "coverage maps", cell phone use in Western states is something that should not be relied on! There are long stretches of highway out here, both interstate and federal highways, that cell coverage is spotty or non-existent.

You can typically download maps for offline use if you are leaving cell coverage areas. GPS doesn't need cell coverage.

Yes, you can download the map, know where you are. But sometimes you want to be able to tell somebody where you are. For that you need cell coverage.

Most of my life I have been in reach of a CB radio when working. When I bought my last new pickup I bought a new antenna for it. 16 years later still have not mounted it. I have been retired for almost 10 years, so maybe it is better. For the last 15 years I worked I would use the Children's Band in quarry or when needing escort.

To me, CB radio is still valid for the reasons mentioned. We usually travel with a another couple in their RV so we chatter along the way on the radio. No phone to dial or text to type while driving. Sometimes if a trucker is going our way he joins in the conversation making it interesting. Can't do that on a cell phone. AND, my CB has blue tooth so if I receive a phone call I can just key up and answer it. Since I am also a new General class Ham operator and switching from a pickup truck and toy hauler I also want to add ham radio to the mix in the future.

mowermech wrote:
Regardless of "coverage maps", cell phone use in Western states is something that should not be relied on! There are long stretches of highway out here, both interstate and federal highways, that cell coverage is spotty or non-existent.

You can typically download maps for offline use if you are leaving cell coverage areas. GPS doesn't need cell coverage.

Regardless of "coverage maps", cell phone use in Western states is something that should not be relied on! There are long stretches of highway out here, both interstate and federal highways, that cell coverage is spotty or non-existent.
Ham radio 2 meter and 70 centimeter repeaters, however, are very prevalent all across many states. Yes, you need a repeater directory, and your radio must be programmed to hit the repeater. Having a radio that has a SCAN feature to search for active repeaters is a plus. Getting an Amateur radio license is easy and inexpensive. The 2 meter/70 cm radios can be inexpensive or very expensive, your choice. The same goes for antennas.
Having a cell/smart phone can be nice, but in a life/death situation it could very well be worthless!
Why do I tout Ham Radio? Perhaps because I are one: KJ7POE

Bumpyroad wrote:
my mapping app sucks. showed all kinds of red warnings for a section of road ahead. yes there were jersey walls along a section but nothing to react to. but we must worship our smart phones.
bumpy

Maybe find a better app...no one is going to force you to but if asking about the best option...worshiping the technology of your childhood is far worse.

Never had it show a warning for jersey barriers when traffic was flowing smoothly, so I'm not sure what to make of that comment.

Bumpyroad wrote:

valhalla360 wrote:

MarkTwain wrote:

CA Traveler wrote:
I mounted one on the side above the drivers window, sold it with the MH. There are groundless antennas that use the coax for the ground, limites the range more than the already limited range.

Not much chatter on CB these days, replaced by cells and ham radio. Questionable value these days IMHO.

To talk with truckers to get info on accidents/road conditions/ detours use channel 17 on the west coast or 19 in other states. You will get info on conditions approx. 1 mile ahead and behind your location.

Cell with mapping app does that even better. On freeways, 1 mile is often too late to do anything. A mapping app will typically look at your entire route every minute or so and update as needed.

my mapping app sucks. showed all kinds of red warnings for a section of road ahead. yes there were jersey walls along a section but nothing to react to. but we must worship our smart phones.
bumpy

I guess if you want to call relying on superior technology "worshipping".

valhalla360 wrote:

MarkTwain wrote:

CA Traveler wrote:
I mounted one on the side above the drivers window, sold it with the MH. There are groundless antennas that use the coax for the ground, limites the range more than the already limited range.

Not much chatter on CB these days, replaced by cells and ham radio. Questionable value these days IMHO.

To talk with truckers to get info on accidents/road conditions/ detours use channel 17 on the west coast or 19 in other states. You will get info on conditions approx. 1 mile ahead and behind your location.

Cell with mapping app does that even better. On freeways, 1 mile is often too late to do anything. A mapping app will typically look at your entire route every minute or so and update as needed.

my mapping app sucks. showed all kinds of red warnings for a section of road ahead. yes there were jersey walls along a section but nothing to react to. but we must worship our smart phones.
bumpy

MarkTwain wrote:

CA Traveler wrote:
I mounted one on the side above the drivers window, sold it with the MH. There are groundless antennas that use the coax for the ground, limites the range more than the already limited range.

Not much chatter on CB these days, replaced by cells and ham radio. Questionable value these days IMHO.

To talk with truckers to get info on accidents/road conditions/ detours use channel 17 on the west coast or 19 in other states. You will get info on conditions approx. 1 mile ahead and behind your location.

Cell with mapping app does that even better. On freeways, 1 mile is often too late to do anything. A mapping app will typically look at your entire route every minute or so and update as needed.

It is easier than the first reply suggests
First.. If you do NOT have a driver's door here is what i did
I took a 2x4 beveled one edge a bit to make it look better, Stained it to approximate the primary interior color and bolted it to the wall next to the driver's seat... I will discoss other options in a bit.
I bolted brackets to this. Ran 10ga wire from teh batteries to a Rig-Runner power strip (Uses anderson power poles you do not need to do this) and mounted 3 2-way radios on the 2x4 along with other stuff.. Two CB's and a 50 watt ham rig.

Only issue I had was with condensation from teh window if you do that I'd suggest a drip guard (Silicon cutting sheet between bracket and 2x4 draped over radio to block drips (Cost me one radio)

For the antenna I ran the coax up and out the "A" pillar (The first pillar) and set a bracket so my NO GROUND PLANE antenna tip was about 1" higher than the highest point on the RV (Automatic "Bridge Stick")

ALternate point

The center "Pillar" on my Damon (Center of the dash between the seats) was just a plastic panel.
You can easily mount rails behind it and cut a hole for the radio and frame the hole so it looks good. Or mount the radio on it (I would put rails behind it to add support.. Rails are upright brackets bolted to the floor like an audio Rack Panel)

Oh the coax to the antenna

The hole I drilled was directly behind the bracket. Brought the coax out and atteaced the end (Connector) then filled the hole with GOOP (Adheasive sealant) to keep that which needs to be kept out... out.. then slapped the bracket over it and lagged it to the RV.

The bracket was half a mirror mount.

CA Traveler wrote:
I mounted one on the side above the drivers window, sold it with the MH. There are groundless antennas that use the coax for the ground, limites the range more than the already limited range.

Not much chatter on CB these days, replaced by cells and ham radio. Questionable value these days IMHO.

To talk with truckers to get info on accidents/road conditions/ detours use channel 17 on the west coast or 19 in other states. You will get info on conditions approx. 1 mile ahead and behind your location. There is no separate CB channel just for RVers. Use a Wilson CB antenna for the best distance when talking with truckers or other people.