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
I always bring a CB radio along with me on a trip. I've collected several compact CBs through the years which cost around 50 bucks each. I like the little ones for ease of placement in the cabin. The ones I have and use are the Cobra 19, Uniden 520, and Midland 1001Z. All of them operate at the maximum legal 4-watts of power and work as well for me as larger, more expensive units.
The antenna I use on my F250 tow vehicle is a Wilson 1000, which has a magnet-mount that I place on the center of the roof. This antenna has a 62.5-inch "whip" which is tall enough to get good communications several miles up-and-down the road. I've never had any hint that this antenna's mount has ever moved even one millimeter on my roof while traveling at any legal highway speed and in any drive-able wind event.
I've found that although there are miles and hours of silence when driving with a CB, that when there's an accident or other traffic hazard or hold-up, many truckers who don't do a lot of talking on the CB anymore suddenly begin giving and receiving information about the wreck or other hazards involved, and give information on alternate routes that will allow drivers to get around the problem.
It's true that the CB is not used as much for idle conversation as it was a few decades ago, since there are so many other gadgets for truckers to entertain themselves with. But it's also true that many truckers still have a CB and use them when the chips are down. Take a look sometime when on the road and notice how many big trucks have CB antennas holding onto the side mirrors.
I keep my CB tuned to Channel 19, which is the trucker's channel for most of the nation. I understand that on the west coast, Channel 17 is often used by truckers as their preferred frequency, for whatever reason.
The antenna I use on my F250 tow vehicle is a Wilson 1000, which has a magnet-mount that I place on the center of the roof. This antenna has a 62.5-inch "whip" which is tall enough to get good communications several miles up-and-down the road. I've never had any hint that this antenna's mount has ever moved even one millimeter on my roof while traveling at any legal highway speed and in any drive-able wind event.
I've found that although there are miles and hours of silence when driving with a CB, that when there's an accident or other traffic hazard or hold-up, many truckers who don't do a lot of talking on the CB anymore suddenly begin giving and receiving information about the wreck or other hazards involved, and give information on alternate routes that will allow drivers to get around the problem.
It's true that the CB is not used as much for idle conversation as it was a few decades ago, since there are so many other gadgets for truckers to entertain themselves with. But it's also true that many truckers still have a CB and use them when the chips are down. Take a look sometime when on the road and notice how many big trucks have CB antennas holding onto the side mirrors.
I keep my CB tuned to Channel 19, which is the trucker's channel for most of the nation. I understand that on the west coast, Channel 17 is often used by truckers as their preferred frequency, for whatever reason.
