Okay How many RV'ers here use CB-Radio's?
While waiting on my wife I struck up a conversation with a fellow RV'er. During our exchange, he began telling me of his dependence on his CB-Radio while SHOPPING, Appointments, pickups, and other use...
Forum Discussion
rlw999 wrote:rlw999 wrote:
As soon as I figure out where to mount an antenna without drilling a hole in the side of my Class C, I'll install a CB for an upcoming road trip. I just ordered a hood mount that I think will work well. I won't use the CB all the time, but am looking forward to having it for long freeway drives.
Sooooo... got my antenna and CB hooked up for my long 2000 mile trip.
Turned out to not be worth it, few truck drivers were talking at all, I asked for a radio check a few times just to be sure it was working since I so rarely heard anyone else. The one time I heard someone report an accident ahead, I already knew about it from Google Maps.
Oh well, it was worth the experiment, but now I think I'll just keep the CB in a storage compartment along with a mag-mount antenna in case I ever get stranded where there's no cell service.
Most of the chatter on AM-19 will be pre-dawn until about 1100 local. If not in a metro area (see map: Mega-Regions of the USA) understand that truckers have already done the hard work of the day: get to the receiver AND THEN to the next shipper. The last few hours of the day don’t/won’t elicit much pass-the-time-of-day talk.
In every part of the USA it’s the local bulk haulers who dominate AM-19. Guys home every night and weekends. Trying to get their several loads DONE. Once they’re off -air at 1500 or so, expect quiet.
An Rv’er who starts driving at 0930 and continues past 1600 has slotted himself into the hours PAST what is generally busiest.
In the Mega Region map (population density) there’s exception to the above as regional delivery is also prominent. Guys also looking to be home nightly, or several nights per week before the weekend. Tend to hail friends and others.
70-mph speed limits PLUS big trucks difficult to get a good ground plane are natural discouragement to drivers. One, can’t run 70, and, Two, hard to get a CB system worth beans in a plastic truck.
2000-mile trip quiet? Late morning departure and driving over the weekend are almost a guarantee of hearing little the farther one gets from the US Northeast.
Not all talk is on AM-19. I’ve run a scanner constantly searching the rest of the Elrvrn Meter band and “found” plenty in some regions NOT on 19.
It’s a tool without a replacement while on-road. Commercial Carriers Road Atlas and a Garmin big truck spec GPS are what I use. WAZE and Google maps are only useful for knowing where NOT to go.
Unless you believe that running up into a crowd on the road you’d avoid while walking is a good idea. (Trapped, with no exit).
I’ll be on my way around those problems.
Good luck
.
