CB??

[CaptMark]

Now ending my first week of coach ownership, these forums have been incredible as I've got more questions than answers...

As I was looking at dozens of used coaches over the last two months, half of them had CB Radios, half didn't.

Are they still useful tools on the road?

With cell phones, satellite phones, blackberrys, iPads and all my normal toys that most people carry, is the CB worth the investment to have onboard?

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.


Mark
1997 Tropi-Cal 235
South Florida

[Steve N Sal]

I use it primarily to get any update on traffic or road conditions. Especially if going thru a big city. Listening to the truckers can be a bit much at times. It can get pretty rank to say the least. Do you really need one? Well if you already own one, having it on board doesn't hurt but if you have to go out and buy one well that decision has to be yours.

[The Beaver]

Agree with Steve N Sal. I do find a CB helpful in keeping up with traffic jams or detours. You don't need to spend a lot if that is your primary purpose.

[Izzyblueye]

I have always had one in every rig I have owned until the last one. I left it out and do not miss it. You can use a cheap pair of FMR radios and the range is about the same as with CB any more. I also got very tired of the trash talkin truckers, I swear those guys hate each other and every one else on the road.
I also noticed they will intentionally give incorrect information to the people behind them as to which lane is closed, causing major back ups.

[UFO Pilot]

I have one but rarely turn it on.

[TXiceman]

I am a ham radio operator and use a shortwave in the truck. I do have a CB with a magnetic mount antenna that I keep under the back seat of the truck in case I need it. So far it has not been out from under the seat in over 4 years. I do not miss all of the poor language and bad manners on the CB.

Ken

[AB7OH]

I like having a CB for Traffic info and talking to others that we travel with. I also am a Ham Radio operator and listen to 2 meters while traveling and camping.

[KIX]

We have a CB and actually used it once in about 6 years.

[justimagination]

........As you cab see, there's pro & cons. Myself, I wouldn't leave home without it, I generally just squelch it down for garbage. Good luck and travel safe.
David G.

[hardy1000]

I have one in my MH and 1 in my Wrangler for primarly communicating with people I travel with. I also tried the small hand helds but we had to much frequency traffic, so we stick with our CB's.

[camperme2]

Are they still useful tools on the road?

A great deal depends on your location and intended use. I lived in Northern Ontario, Canada for some years and with long distances between towns and cities, sometimes hundreds of miles, I would never leave home without one. It can be a life saver. IF I lived in a place like Florida where, it seems, you are never out of sight of a town, I wouldn't buy one. I just bought a Cobra 29 ltd and firestik antenna for my mh. I intend to travel to Newfoundland and Labrador this summer and Yukon and Alaska next year. IF I have a breakdown in some remote location this might be the answer to my problems. Cheap insurance. Besides, in some places, like NL, you can get some friendly locals on cb to direct you to decent fishing holes. With luck I'll have trout for breakfast every morning and salmon once a week for supper.
Mark

[Ray,IN]

I have owned and used a CB radio ever since my first, a 6 channel tube-type, crystal-controlled unit.
I use an ear-bud to listen so DW doesn't have to. There is no other practical alternative I know of to hearing about immediate traffic problems ahead unless you have a Ham radio and someone ahead does too, and you are both on the same channel.
You can buy a cheap CB at a truck stop for $40-$50, and a magnetic antenna for $25. That is good enough to hear within a few miles what is happening and give you time to react.

[Chuck 1935]

I always have my CB on. I use it for road information and if someone were to notice a problem with any of my equipment. I find it handy.
Today there ara alot less truckers using the CB. Many of them spend their time talking on the cell phone to occupy their time.

[wa8yxm]

I keep two of them on when Driving, one on 13 (Good sam's channel) picks up next to nothing, and one on 19, which has, on occasion come in handy.

They do not get nearly the traffic they had back in the 70's but they can still be useful


Now if I really need to talk to someone, and the Cell Phones are "Out of range" ...

I'm an Extra Class Ham radio operator. the "Main" radio in my radio room can reliably reach about half the country on a bad day. on a good day... Change country to world.