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.

[Water-Bug]

Still have my Pinto 23 channel sideband w/crystal frequency control. Turn it on every couple of years to chase off the spiders. I've been told that HAMs like to get their hands on them to modify them by changing the operating band.

[D___M]

msmith1199 wrote:

retired4fun2002 wrote:
The thing about cells have about squashed CB's........you don't get weather reports on your phone for the area your in!

Not only can I get weather on my phone, I can get live radar images on my phone of exactly what the weather is doing. If weather is your main concern than the phone is way better than a CB.

You can have all the techno-cool stuff that you want, but there is no substitute for boots on the ground feeding you real time accurate intel.

[skipll]

Bumpyroad wrote:

skipll wrote:
After reading these posts I think I will install a CB radio for my trip to Nova Scotia.
Anyone recommend a model----Don't want a real high tec. one---somethin easy to use :B

go to walmart and buy the cobra for $34.00. has a 9/19 button also.
used mine today in a back up on the IS. found out the left lane was the one going through. lets see, I could call... well ghostbusters, or use my smart phone to.... oh never mind.

bumpy

Thanks Bumpy for reply-----I checked Walmart ---stores near me out of stock---So I ordered one from Amazon---a couple $ more---But then all Walmart stores are over 1 hr. away. So in the long run it is cheaper to do Amazon ( I buy most stuff on line )
Now then---where the heck I gonna mount the CB is the question :@

[cacherjoe]

I've used CBs for the same reasons many of you have also. Nice to see another HAM who also uses 2m for the same thing. The other think I use is my HP-1 scanner. I'm often able to hear things happening up ahead and from traveling extensively for work, can often avoid the problem area altogether. The beauty of the HP-1 is it has all the known frequencies in Canada and the US and when connected to a GPS rotates in and out of frequencies as I travel.

I have one solid rule when it comes to the scanner that I've stuck to for over 25 years of owning receivers, I never EVER go to the scene of anything happening on the scanner. First responders have enough to do without having to deal with rubber neckers.

[ArmySFCRet]

I have four or five mobile CBs and one base station with antennas and accessories. None are in use any more. Selling in garage sale next month before our final moving day. GPS devices and smart phones have pretty much done away with CB. Our Garmin GPS can route me around traffic jams and reports problems 10s of miles before we even get there.

[Bumpyroad]

skipll wrote:
After reading these posts I think I will install a CB radio for my trip to Nova Scotia.
Anyone recommend a model----Don't want a real high tec. one---somethin easy to use :B

go to walmart and buy the cobra for $34.00. has a 9/19 button also.
used mine today in a back up on the IS. found out the left lane was the one going through. lets see, I could call... well ghostbusters, or use my smart phone to.... oh never mind.

bumpy

[tplife]

A host of things ruined CBs, including the FCC. Solar flares made reception lousy for years, the FCC allowed more channels than 23 but cut transmitting output, and of course during the "fad" years the hobby was hurt by the arrival of non-hobbyists and low-quality low-price radios. Most move on to 10-meter rigs and a "real" license.

10-Meter Rigs

[msmith1199]

retired4fun2002 wrote:
The thing about cells have about squashed CB's........you don't get weather reports on your phone for the area your in!

Not only can I get weather on my phone, I can get live radar images on my phone of exactly what the weather is doing. If weather is your main concern than the phone is way better than a CB.

[skipll]

After reading these posts I think I will install a CB radio for my trip to Nova Scotia.
Anyone recommend a model----Don't want a real high tec. one---somethin easy to use :B

[Aurabbit79er]

wa8yxm wrote:

Kit Carson wrote:
My CB is used only for traffic information. My 2M ham is used for communiction on 146.520.

I mentioned hearing about an accident and spending a nice relaxing night wally-docking instead of a tense hours long backup the poor guy behind me had to put up with (Oh, We got off just as the police closed the freeway).

I also have a Wilson WE-800.. Got it back in 1978 I think, this vintage Ham Radio (The first fully synthisized hand hald) is locked on 146.52. My Yeasu FT-51R (Newer and in need of replacement) is set to memory scan) Both bands, when I can get it to work (I have an idea about that, but have not tested yet)

I am debating on that Yeasu, I can replace it with a Made iN China for around 50 bucks... Or I can wait till I'm a bit better off and go with a Kenwood Sky Command device that can not only do 2mtr and 70cm but control my TS-2000 on the side.

Someday I may be able to get my 79RollALong electronically correct to the 21st. Century but at least I have my 40ch. CB w/ 2 hand held units and my Police scanner. I almost always go out of cel range where I take my adventures, Mountains and deep deserts. I love that commercial where the guy holds up his cel and there is no signal and says lets camp here. Ch 9 is still for emergencies, but does play host to the less educated in city zones. In the wilds I have my set on Ch.9 if not talking to others in my group.

[mowermech]

If the Made In China is a "bao feng" UV-5R, I have two of them.
When I got them, one was no good, so I made arrangements to send it back, and got another one. Now, one of them won't remember the programming. Once the offset and tone is entered, it seems to be fine, but if it is turned off then back on, it forgets. So, it will probably be going back.
The computer programming software and cable is difficult to use, as well. I'm certainly not smart enough to make it work!
Programming from the keypad is difficult, but not impossible. Lots of button pushing!

[wa8yxm]

Kit Carson wrote:
My CB is used only for traffic information. My 2M ham is used for communiction on 146.520.

I mentioned hearing about an accident and spending a nice relaxing night wally-docking instead of a tense hours long backup the poor guy behind me had to put up with (Oh, We got off just as the police closed the freeway).

I also have a Wilson WE-800.. Got it back in 1978 I think, this vintage Ham Radio (The first fully synthisized hand hald) is locked on 146.52. My Yeasu FT-51R (Newer and in need of replacement) is set to memory scan) Both bands, when I can get it to work (I have an idea about that, but have not tested yet)

I am debating on that Yeasu, I can replace it with a Made iN China for around 50 bucks... Or I can wait till I'm a bit better off and go with a Kenwood Sky Command device that can not only do 2mtr and 70cm but control my TS-2000 on the side.

[mowermech]

Kit Carson wrote:
My CB is used only for traffic information. My 2M ham is used for communiction on 146.520.

I have made a couple of trips to CA and back, and one to Tennessee and back. I made one contact on 146.520 near Selma, CA; one from the Red Lake Trail to I-5; and NO contacts on the Tennessee trip. On one return trip from CA, via Bremerton, WA, I heard two guys talking on a local repeater, but when I announced myself on the frequency, one of them acknowledged my presence, then ignored me. It would appear that some amateur radio operators in some parts of the country are very elitist, and don't wish to talk to "tourists". Our group around here, I can honestly say, are glad to accept tourists into the community.
I will be installing a 40 channel CB in the motorhome in the spring.

[bigred1cav]

I have a Cobra add on in my MH. I have it on but rarely hear anything.

How do I get reception and what is tuning the antenna.

[B_s_Bunch]

Kind of like a good pocket knife it is there if you need it. I dont jabber but have used it many times when I needed it. comes in handy. Larry