CB channels...

[mowermech]

In another thread about looking for a CB antenna coax, CB channel usage was brought up. Rather than keep that thread going off-topic, I decided to start a new one.

While it is true that the FCC only officially designates ONE channel, Channel 9, for emergency use only, there have been "Gentlemen's Agreements" in effect over the years for several other channels.
Channel 19 was originally, IIRC, by popular agreement, the National Calling Channel. Then it became the channel for mobile stations to use.
At one time, Channel 19 was for North-south traffic, and Channel 17 was for East-West traffic. Or was it the other way around??

Back in the 23 channel days, Channels 15 and 16 were reserved by popular agreement for Single Side Band (SSB) users. Channel 16 was the SSB Calling Channel. Then, when 40 channel radios became available, there was an effort on the part of several CB magazines to set Channels 35 thru 40 for SSB use, with Channel 16 still as a SSB Calling Channel. This agreement was advantageous to both AM and SSB users, because regardless of what some advertisements say, an AM/SSB radio does not have 120 channels. AM and SSB can not be used on the same frequency at the same time. It is even difficult to use USB and LSB on the same frequency (Upper SideBand and Lower SideBand)

Recently, there has been a movement for RV drivers to use Channel 13 for communication with other RVs. This would allow Rvers to have a channel away from the garbage on 17 and 19. So far, acceptance has been very slow.

Channel 14 is shared, by FCC rules, by remote control toys and toy walkie talkies.
Channel 4 is often used by those caravaning, and those on trail runs (such as 4X4 clubs).

NONE of these channel uses have ever been sanctioned by the FCC. They have been purely "Gentlemen's Agreements".

[DutchStar38]

I still have my old SBE Single Sideband 23 channel unit. Works fine.

[nbargolf]

mowermech wrote:

DutchmenSport wrote:
We use to have 2 portable hand held CB's with the magnet antenna mount back in the early 1980's. Two things changed all of that. 1). They quit using steel for the roof and fenders of automobiles, went to aluminum, and finally went to fiberglass, and now ... who know what they are using, but it sure isn't steel. 2) the invention of the cell phone. By 1990, our CB days were over. The first cell phone we had was a big old clunky thing about the size of a military 2 way radio, that came with it's own carrying case, and plugged into your cigarette lighter. We thought that was fantastic technology back then! And the CB ended up in the attic, ended up rusting, ended up in the trash.

I haven't thought about CB usage in ... what ... 24 years at least?

To each his own...
There are many places in Montana where cell coverage is spotty to non-existent. The same is true in Idaho and Nevada, where I am most likely to travel.
Even the amateur radio bands can be very lonely in some areas.
With CB, there is a fair chance I can get help, even if the contactee is on the East Coast! Yes, talking skip is illegal, but in an emergency who cares about the rules!
If you ever want to do a trail run with a 4X4 club, you are quite likely to find that a CB is REQUIRED, your cell phone will not be accepted.
There is still a place for CB. I just completed the installation of a Maxon 40 channel AM set, with 10 weather channels, in my truck. I have a Cobra that I will be installing in the motorhome this spring.
I also have an all band all mode amateur radio in the truck, and a 2 meter radio in the coach.
I also have my cell phone. Sometimes I can even use it, depending on where I happen to be at the time!
My son has my old Motorola bag phone in his collection. I wish it was still usable, but it is analog only. In some ways it was much better than my current flip-phone!

Second that, we visit a lot of areas where there is no cell service. This summer when we travel to Alaska we will talk with the other couple while on the road via CB. Free vs expensive when cell is available in Canada.

[nbargolf]

Francesca Knowles wrote:
I wonder how long it'll be before even the CB "airwaves" get stolen from us by the same greedheads that already took over-the-air analog TV....unless...use of our airwaves for this purpose IS still free, isn't it?

If I'm revealing my technoignorance here- please be merciful!

Sorry wrong quote

[global2]

mtrumpet wrote:

mowermech wrote:

pkunk wrote:

Sully2 wrote:
If its against the law ( many places) to drive down the road with a cell phone to your head....why is it "supposed to be" OK to do the same with a CB ?

Very good question. :h

For one thing, the FCC controls radio communications nationwide. They are usually very strict about not allowing any other agency to invade their turf. The cell phone/texting law here specifically excludes radio operators.
As always, be careful what you wish for. The way some jurisdictions are attempting to enforce "Distracted Driving" laws, it may very well be illegal to look at your speedometer! "ANYTHING that takes the driver's eyes off the road ahead is distracted driving!" Seems to me that also makes it illegal to check your rear view mirrors!
Don't even THINK about reading road side signs. ANY kind of road side signs!
Is that what you REALLY want?

mowermech is right. Once-upon-a-time in American, that would leave us all with a good chuckle and we'd be done with it. However, nowadays it seems that nothing is too absurd when it comes to whatever it is these idiot politicians might want to legislate next!

You can now use handsfree Bluetooth for CB communication.

[global2]

I traveled the country as a salesperson for many years. Looking forward to becoming a fulltimer as soon as my house sells. My CB radio often helped me on the road - but definitely its most useful asset was alerting me to wrong-way drivers on the interstates. Twice I was able to pull over and wait for a wrong-way driver to go by me! For its low cost, ease of use and connectivity when there is no cell service - I won't leave home without one.

[mtrumpet]

mowermech wrote:

pkunk wrote:

Sully2 wrote:
If its against the law ( many places) to drive down the road with a cell phone to your head....why is it "supposed to be" OK to do the same with a CB ?

Very good question. :h

For one thing, the FCC controls radio communications nationwide. They are usually very strict about not allowing any other agency to invade their turf. The cell phone/texting law here specifically excludes radio operators.
As always, be careful what you wish for. The way some jurisdictions are attempting to enforce "Distracted Driving" laws, it may very well be illegal to look at your speedometer! "ANYTHING that takes the driver's eyes off the road ahead is distracted driving!" Seems to me that also makes it illegal to check your rear view mirrors!
Don't even THINK about reading road side signs. ANY kind of road side signs!
Is that what you REALLY want?

mowermech is right. Once-upon-a-time in American, that would leave us all with a good chuckle and we'd be done with it. However, nowadays it seems that nothing is too absurd when it comes to whatever it is these idiot politicians might want to legislate next!

[mowermech]

Francesca, to go along with your CB, find out when there will be a testing session in your area, and get your Amateur Radio Technician Class license (if you don't already have it).
what the heck, go for the General Class license. You can take both tests on the same day without paying anything more!
Go to the ARRL website to find study guides, and a list of when testing sessions will be held in your area.
2 Meter FM is a great system.

[Francesca_Knowl]

That's it- I'm gettin' me one of these.

Never owned a cell phone, no, nor any other of them newfangled contraptions that can be tracked back to me lickety-split. I go camping to get away from all they leashes that folks attach to theyselves.

But that's not to say that I wouldn't like to have the means to get in touch with real people should the need arise! I'm liking that I can carry a CB along, and call for other low-tech types to help should the need arise...:)

[mowermech]

pkunk wrote:

Sully2 wrote:
If its against the law ( many places) to drive down the road with a cell phone to your head....why is it "supposed to be" OK to do the same with a CB ?

Very good question. :h

For one thing, the FCC controls radio communications nationwide. They are usually very strict about not allowing any other agency to invade their turf. The cell phone/texting law here specifically excludes radio operators.
As always, be careful what you wish for. The way some jurisdictions are attempting to enforce "Distracted Driving" laws, it may very well be illegal to look at your speedometer! "ANYTHING that takes the driver's eyes off the road ahead is distracted driving!" Seems to me that also makes it illegal to check your rear view mirrors!
Don't even THINK about reading road side signs. ANY kind of road side signs!
Is that what you REALLY want?

[DeWat]

Just because! If we take the mic out of driver's hands, you put everyone out of business... PD, FD, EMS, delivery, taxi, yada, yada, yada. While I know the point can be argued, talking into a mic is not as distracting as talking on a phone. With all that said, this is why some jurisdictions (my first life job, DC included) call it "Distracted Driving". When it first came about in DC, we were taught that it applied to anything that distracted the driver... eating, tuning the radio, make up in the mirror, etc.

[pkunk]

Sully2 wrote:
If its against the law ( many places) to drive down the road with a cell phone to your head....why is it "supposed to be" OK to do the same with a CB ?

Very good question. :h

[Sully2]

If its against the law ( many places) to drive down the road with a cell phone to your head....why is it "supposed to be" OK to do the same with a CB ?

[DeWat]

KO wrote:

...
Yes there is room for CB and RV forums on your smart phone - but CB is still king when you need to know what is happening in your immediate area now.

x2, this will always be the case. I am one who has always preferred to have and not need concerning a CB. As an east coaster, any time that I travel through Richmond, VA or Jacksonville, FL, I'll hit the on switch and ask which is better "round the circle or through the middle"? Can very easily make an hour or more difference.

[KO]

I have CB in my RV. I use it when traffic is slowed or stopped. Always good to know what lane to get in and how much of a back up is involved. Also good when I get bored listening to XM radio all day. I am not a speeder in my RV but the Bear reports are good.

My CB has weather channels and I get weather warnings on it. I do leave radio on to monitor weather reports.

Saved me a lot of time coming into Baton Rouge. Traffic was stopped as their was a big accident on the Mississippi River bridge. Truckers were telling each other to get off a exit prior and head north and cross river and then back to I-10. I listened and followed and it worked like a charm.

Yes there is room for CB and RV forums on your smart phone - but CB is still king when you need to know what is happening in your immediate area now.

[Mr_Mark1]

We have a CB and it comes in handy when traffic comes to a complete stop. The truckers on the other side of the freeway/interstate can let you know what the back up is and sometimes which lane to get into.

I really have only used it once asking a trucker if a certain hwy had been opened as it had been under construction for a long time. The guy answered that it was not open yet which saved us a lot of trouble if I had gone in the 'new' direction thinking the new hwy must be open by now.

Our current CB is the all-in-one handheld. I find it a little difficult to use. The new coach we are getting has the normal type CB where the head unit is next to the driver's seat on the right in a compartment and the microphone is much less bulky. I think I'll like it better. And, it also has a speaker option to communicate with people outside (that's going to be fun!) LOL!

Mark