Are CB radios still used?

[moparcanuck]

Recently bought my new motorhome (1994 Newmar). It has a factory CB radio in it. Was rather surprised, as CBs had long since faded away. However, in looking, I see that CBs are still options in even brand new motorhomes.

Are people still using these? I haven't used one in years.

[ArmySFCRet]

Most of the newer GPS units also have traffic warnings and will reroute if asked.

[ddndoug]

Does anyone know what channels the truckers are using these days?

And I agree about the horrible language, I can't hardly keep in turned on because I have young impressionable ears traveling with me.


Doug

[Kit_Carson]

My CB is used only for traffic information. My 2M ham is used for communiction on 146.520.

[3_dog_nights]

Large fuel stops. It's a way to talk to the desk without having to walk inside.

[jbbrick]

I have had one in every rv but usually just used it to talk to friends while caravaning together. Now we use a pair of the small 2-way's which work fine for 1/4 mile or so. If we get separated, it's time for cell phones.

[Pogoil]

I am just curious, you are sitting in your RV in heavy traffic. Who do you call on your cell phone to find out why there is a traffic problem?

Yes CB is still being used today. Every time I hit a traffic back up I can pretty much find out why and where with my CB in a matter of minutes. Plus if you monitor it you may get enough of a warning to get off an exit or two before and avoid the delay.

Pogoil.

[hershey]

Mine is in constant use. Its the perfect place for my folder with travel cards. I stick the folder between the CB and the wall. CB hasn't been turned on in well over 5 years.

[exeter_acres]

as others have mentioned... They are most certainly still in use.
I have a portable...
leave it off... unless I end up parked on the expressway... find out pretty quickly from the truckers what is happening.... then can make decisions on what to do....

[retired4fun2002]

The thing about cells have about squashed CB's........you don't get weather reports on your phone for the area your in! We have a Cobra with NOAA channels, and wouldn't leave home without it - cheap insurance. We were coming thru AL a few years back, hit a bad storm, and kept pushing on to TX. When we arrived in TX, at the Welcome Center, we found out that we had been around a hurricane/torando, whatever. That was when we installed the CB. Even when it is off and a storm is in the area, the loud beep sounds - we've experienced that, and then turned it on to hear the weather channel report. It is cheap insurance, forget the bad language, most times you never hear anyone, as in years past. Safe travels.

[wa8yxm]

The following is a true story, I should know, I'm telling it in "First Person" this means I was there.

Coming south for the winter through KY on I-75 I'm long about Mile Marker 77 (Yardstick 77 in CB talk) when the radio speaker in my ear (The CB) starts talking about an accident, overturned truck, about 5 miles down the road and another accident behind it, Road fully closed, likely for hours..

I'm coming up on exit 76,, Took same, found both a truck stop and a wal-mart.. Spent a nice relaxing night in the RV, parked, did some shopping, had some breakfast and continued on in the morning arriving at my scheduled stop well ahead of when I absolutely needed to be there.

Yes, CB still in use, still useful too.

[Hudsoner]

Bumpyroad wrote:

moparcanuck wrote:
Recently bought my new motorhome (1994 Newmar). It has a factory CB radio in it. Was rather surprised, as CBs had long since faded away. However, in looking, I see that CBs are still options in even brand new motorhomes.

Are people still using these? I haven't used one in years.

CB radios have not faded away. I use mine when approaching a city to chat with oncoming truckers to see if I should take N or S bypass or continue straight thru town. also at Richmond to see if I should take 295 or stay on I-95 to go through.
and IMHO a cell phone is worthless for this task, who you gonna call, ghost busters?
from my experience the "bad language" is not what it is blown up to be and if it occurs it is only transient in nature.
bumpy

I am with you. Cellphones are only good for point to point calling, and only if you know the other number.

I plan to install a CB in my motorhome because of the information one cannot get any other way. Foul language does not bother me, I simply blend it out.

[CardinalCamper]

Yes,we use it when traveling.Has been helpful with weather alerts and whats up ahead.

[mbrule]

I have one in my pickup. Always have it on when towing my fiver. Usually with the squelch way up, so I only hear those near me, have been told more than once of issues with my trailer by friendly truckers.

I also listen in when truck traffic is heavy and I am bored on long trips. But, it is most useful for traffic info around backups and cities, can quickly and easily find out what lane to be in.

I am about to install one in my car as we will be taking a 1400 mile trip this summer to visit family.

[snowdance]

We still use our CB. Cell phones just do not work most of the time here in the high country. We often go days with out cell phone service when camping or traveling. CB works all the time and may well be the only way to get help.




b

[down_home]

We use it on occasion around expected areas like Atlanta and Indy.
Nowdaays not much on the cb. I need to change mine to one that scans the channels. Apparently Truckers use another channel much of the time.
Don't care for the language on it is not on as often as it might be needed.