Any CB "experts" here? Newbie question

[TandW]

Originally Posted by 2Yung2 Quit

Thank you everyone for the input. I think I will just nix this idea.

OK. I won't tell you when a cargo door is flapping or when your tv antenna is up or your steps are out or one side of your tow bar has broke loose. Nope. Not no more. And I won't have the wife write a message you can read while I pass you. That would be too old fashioned!

[TXiceman]

I stopped using a CB in the RV about 15 years ago. Too much garbage on the air from the folks that think every other word begins with F. On some of the ham bands, the operating procedures have gone to the wayside as well.

If you want a CB to work decently, forget the small antennas supplied on the coach and get a good antenna like a FireStik.

CATALOG Main Page (Frame Setup)

Ken

[Max Headroom]

That's a lot of money for a CB antenna. And who knows what the design or quality is, and are they going to set the SWR ratio?


I would but my own and install it. Location is fairly important, but having a good chassis ground and low SWR ratio is even more important.
Centered is the best, but that could be problematic on a Class A. On the sidewall would be OK, if you can get it as high as possible, and centered. Since you have to pick a side, I'd put it on the passenger side. The bulk of the chassis (ground) will pull the signal in the direction of the ground plane. Another option is something a lot of ham guys do. A stealth indoor antenna. In a fiberglass coach where the only ground is the frame, this kind of setup would work well. But you'd have to build it yourself. look at what 10 or 15 meter ham guys do, and that would give you an idea. Not really that hard to make antennas.

And yes, they aren't as prevalent as they once were, but for short range car to car can be handy. Run ch 19 when traveling with the squelch all the way up so only nearby signals get through. I've used mine to let people know their basement door had come open, same for trailer door, brake dragging, etc.

For better performance get a SSB (sideband) radio. More money but more power, and usually better build quality.

[Sneelock]

All the cool kids have switched to GMRS lol.

[smiller]

Communications are the same as any other purchase, you have to first determine what it is you are trying to do. Talk to an occasional trucker (assuming that even a trucker is still using CB these days) then maybe some utility in CB. Reliable emergency communications no matter where you are? Forget CB and get an inexpensive satellite communicator. Communications with your family or friends in other vehicles or while at a camp site? GMRS, MURS, or even FRS are a far better choice than CB.

[CRV2]

Many years ago (80's maybe) I had a CB in my truck and also a handheld walkie talkie style CB that I used to communicate between the truck and my other half. In any case, I still carry the handheld and while it is not good for any decent range, it is good enough when you want to know why all the traffic has stopped and to learn which lane is best to be in. I still have a couple CB radios that one day I may install the one that has all the works in the microphone handset... or just keep using the handheld whenever needed. ~CA

[TXiceman]

Originally Posted by smiller

Communications are the same as any other purchase, you have to first determine what it is you are trying to do. Talk to an occasional trucker (assuming that even a trucker is still using CB these days) then maybe some utility in CB. Reliable emergency communications no matter where you are? Forget CB and get an inexpensive satellite communicator. Communications with your family or friends in other vehicles or while at a camp site? GMRS, MURS, or even FRS are a far better choice than CB.

In todays market, I would go with GMRS and get the license (fee but no test). You can get higher power mobile units or the lower powered walkie talkie units.

Ken

[kmac7800]

Just information: When traveling east-west, the truckers usually use channel 19. When traveling north-south, they use channel 17. Or at least back in the day when I was doing a lot of CB.

Good luck!

//KMac

[Mudfrog]

Originally Posted by jrollf

I can still hear the "ca-thunk" in my head [emoji16], right in the middle of my favorite song...

https://loudwire.com/what-is-8-track-tape/

I remember 8 tracks doing that too. They sometimes had to split songs to keep the 4 channels even so there would be no long pause at the end of a channel. Fortunately, my first car stereo purchase occurred about the time those new fangled cassette decks made their debut. Talk about cool!

CB, I still have them in my Jeeps. I keep them on channel 4 (for 4 wheelers) but haven't heard a peep in years. Turn to channel 19 every once in a while but rarely hear anything there either. I think the OP made the right decision.

We had a handheld CB that we used in our last motorhome. It didn't get out far but it did ok when on the interstate and wanted to get a bear check. Of course that was 20 years ago so,,,

[TandW]

Originally Posted by kmac7800

Just information: When traveling east-west, the truckers usually use channel 19. When traveling north-south, they use channel 17. Or at least back in the day when I was doing a lot of CB.

Good luck!

//KMac

What channel did they use backing up?