Which CB channels do people use?

[BigRedLancer]

I have not owned a CB since the 70s when they were the "thing to have." I just installed a new Cobra SSB CB today with a glass mount Midland antenna. I am not convinced this antenna will work for me.

I listened to all of the channels in AM then USB and LSB and heard nothing. I am rather far away from the trucking routes so I wasn't surprised.
What channels (and band) should I monitor these days?

[BigRedLancer]

I have not owned a CB since the 70s when they were the "thing to have." I just installed a new Cobra SSB CB today with a glass mount Midland antenna. I am not convinced this antenna will work for me.

I listened to all of the channels in AM then USB and LSB and heard nothing. I am rather far away from the trucking routes so I wasn't surprised.
What channels (and band) should I monitor these days?

[Route 66]

I listen to ch. 19, as that's where the truckers (and all the nonsense, profanity, etc.) are, but that's where the road and traffic conditions are found. After a while, I get my fill of all the nonsense and turn the squelch way up to block most of it.

If I was traveling with another RV, we would switch to a quiet channel to plan a stop, etc.

I had used a glass mount antenna before, and the transmit and receive range was much less than a roof top antenna.

[Toterman (David)]

I have been told the RV channel is 13 but don't seem to hear many rvers over there. I use the Wilsom stick and works fine. I sometimes don't even turn the CB on for thousands of miles, until I come to a traffic jam.

David

[W8RLM]

I listen to CH. 19 fo traffic info. Our club uses Ch. 3 for traveling together. Like others, I have tried ch. 13, but I never found anyone.

I tried the glass mount antenna, and it didn't work well for me. I got the same antenna that Winnebago uses and installed it with the help of a couple of friends. For a 4 watt radio, it doesn'r do badly.

W8RLM - Bob

[GaryKD]

For the antenna quesion, consider Firestik. They have kits for ground plane and no ground plane installations. Click here and see if there is anything you like.

[Bob (WA0MQE)]

Hey Bob - W8RLM, where did you get the antenna that Winnebago uses. I'm thinking of the same antenna. Did you order it direcly from Winnebago, and if not what part # did you have?

My other choice is maybe the dual phased Firestik antennas. Any thoughts?

[W8RLM]

WA0MQE,

Bob, I was on an Alaska caravan. We were heading to Palmer, Alaska and passed through Ankorage. The Winnebagp dealer had one in his stock.

If you call owner relations in Forest City, I'm sure that they can give you the part number.

73

W8RLM - Bob

[Wallaby Dan]

Back In the 70 and 80's we had a channel 9 for emergency's and I was with REACT for several years. I scan with my cobra,19,13 and 9. Also if there is a weather alert It gives me a wake up call, Even in the middle of the night. Using a Shakespeare Antenna. a single and it is mounted on the drivers side. Cobra 29wxt. Love it! I deo miss the donald duck with sideband! Maybe they will make a model like the 29 but with ssb.