CB & Handheld Radios
Do any of you use (or just listen to) a CB radio when travelling? If so, what kind do you use? I'm thinking of using a magnetic antennae to mount on the roof of my pickup. Any suggestions on brands an...
Forum Discussion
Slowmover wrote:
Haven’t had a week pass that CB hasn’t saved me time, money or headache.
Two things really changed CB popularity with truckers:
1) speed limits upped to 65+.
2) lack of metal structure truck cabs.
The first lessens desire, and the second kills it.
Also, there isn’t as much OTR driving as in the past. Intermodal has cut it.
The requirement for electronic log books cuts “making elbow room” to get things done that day. Dispatch has to be done differently. Thus not the need to avoid LE.
I’ve about $1k into the present rig. This includes expert labor where needed (tools I don’t use enough; antenna analyzer, etc).
Were my results more easily obtained, CB would be more popular among truck drivers. That I often know about road problems well in advance of them (they can hear my end of a conversation) tells me the interest is there.
As to cars and pickups, where to mount the radio is a problem. Same for those who won’t use a proper NMO Mount.
Where it is done, the performance can be spectacular. I’ve had plenty of increasing distance conversations with pilot car drivers. Rural and metro.
X-2
I still have my Cobra 29 LTD that was mfg in the late 90's and was 'redesigned' to give you the ability to talk down the road a fair number of miles. This radio never ceased to amaze me, on a good night you could talk to the world and the next day not be able to talk to the guard shack 1/2 mile away. Good radio, saved me from a lot of traffic tie ups and the the dreaded 'Bear'.
Times change and I still look for a CB antenna on a truck and think of the many long and boring miles that radio and driver interaction kept me alert and safe to drive another night.
