Do truckers still use CB Radios?

[jcrmadden]

Ck ferrule.

I’d figure it may be “broken” at that point unless you have correct spring

I had removed the spring a good while back.

The wind load on that seven footer was too much to run the spring (even with the HD barrel spring it laid back way too far).

The ferrule and everything looks fine. Nothing loose, SWR still great, RX and TX still top shelf.

Did have some memory in it when I first got her loose (expected given that it spent a week like that).

I put the sweep facing forward and it's already back to normal.

 

[slowmover]

Glad to hear it.

Next time:

 

[Chris155]

As far as backup antennas go, this ain't that for me. The Tram is my loaner-outer (the choice having been made based on economics).

As you probably remember I have three permanent mounts wired up (two just being capped off), and a backup 4.5' SkipShooter stowed away.

I got my truck back from the shop today. Apparently I forgot to take my 7' SkipShooter off when I left it.

This was their solution...

View attachment 177994

I’ve seen more than one broken antenna or shop light over the years. Looking out the window or at a cell phone, holding the button on the lift. At least they noticed before something really hot broken.

 

[slowmover]

Some good stuff here:

Activity on the Interstates

Over the past couple weeks my wife and I travelled twice between Chicago and Ann Arbor, MI via I-94. I had my CB running on Ch.19 each time and heard very very little activity. During one leg of one trip the Michigan State Police were really out in force with no less than seven of them counted...

forums.radioreference.com

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[slowmover]

And another:

What Two Truckers Think of CB Radio

I heard a truck driver attempt to call another driver on Channel 19 to tell him about a flat tire on his truck. When that "flat" driver didn't answer, the calling driver remarked that he didn't understand why some drivers don't listen to their CB Radio. He said the CB was the most important tool...

forums.radioreference.com

 

[Vince6444]

I have had a CB in last several vehicles I have owned, and probably will for as long as I can still get hardware to install antennas and radios.
Yes traffic is down, there is some out there in my part of Texas.

 

[slowmover]

I have had a CB in last several vehicles I have owned, and probably will for as long as I can still get hardware to install antennas and radios.
Yes traffic is down, there is some out there in my part of Texas.

Welcome to RR!

I’ve usually shut up about it while eastbound getting near Beaumont on IH-10 regarding Don’s up ahead near Lafayette, LA, as there’s only a few places for a big truck to park.

And I have every intention of living off of store offerings the next few days, mainly boudin.

I wonder who it is has put a scare into drivers about getting across the high bridge in Lake Charles. Like, maybe they should pull off and take a break till the winds die down, huh?

A bummer this same trick doesn’t work for the even longer backup at Baton Rouge.


Best Bridge City story: from locals on AM-19 heard the tale of a plumber had some miles on him who’d decided to sell that service truck after a long crawl and tight fit under a house to make repairs. The 6’ gator present was what decided retirement was now the goal as there was no way back out except in Reverse.

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[BrhatWeed]

I can still drum it some good chats on 19 especially when they hear me say I'm running a Johnson Messenger from the early 60s or my Tram D201, guess they like the tube sound. SSB is still busy in my area with a few nets on 40 upper and the potty mouths keep ch-6 going on the weekends. I'm running a Maco V58 at 25ft up and everything is barefoot stock in Mora Minnesota.

 

[BinaryMode]

Do truckers still use CB Radios?

Without reading all 14 pages, I'll just chime in here to answer the OP's question.

While on the road in 2002 I brought my RadioShack TRC-485 with me and not only did I hear truckers, but I was stuck on the interstate due to an MVA and I asked one guy on the radio what had happened. I don't remember the channel now but it could have been 19. I was heavy into CB in the mid '90s so I knew 19 was the channel to get Info. So that's probably where I went to hear about the accident.

Flash forward several decades and a family friend of ours who drives truck delivering cars all over the place wants nothing to do with CB due to "all the crap." So there you have it. LOL

Today, I don't mess with CB anymore due to all the "crap" and sold the TRC-485 on eBay. In hindsight I should have kept it. Though, FM with subcodes looks promising and I'm wanting to get a few overseas that do it.

 

[slowmover]

Without reading

The “new” America

 

[Raven__499]

I have a friend who is a truck driver and he still talks on the cb.

 

[BrhatWeed]

Used it last night to warn a rig about my spin out on a rural highway. I keep a little Maxon HT in the car and it saved my butt.

 

[slowmover]

A wreck every two miles for over 100-miles.

 

[BrhatWeed]

Don't think they have snow & ice where they came from

 

[EAFrizzle]

Don't think they have snow & ice where they came from

They do, just not the cold kind...

 

[slowmover]

Snow & Ice only makes it more obvious that they can’t drive at all. Not safe to any American degree in any conditions of road, load, traffic or weather. Any vehicle.

Radio is your heads-up something is happening and that the ones around you — miles before the problem is at hand — are the threat.
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[BrhatWeed]

Snow & Ice only makes it more obvious that they can’t drive at all.

But we have to accommodate their differences first according to the political police.

 

[slowmover]

Them, or your family’s safety.

Best Mobile 2025

A general: what should I recommend to friends who want high performance in Citizen Band? Let’s ballpark it at $500 entry. Will last longer than the time they own the automobile. Seatbelts, Concealed Carry, and CITIZEN BAND. This thread aimed at YOU, not the guy who knows even less. However...

forums.radioreference.com

At 110-125k miles/year I only got caught by surprise 3-4X annually by having a high performance radio rig. And that’s several times on an Interstate where the foreigners are in almost a majority (no radio) for significant stretches (far West) and on the E-W roads back in the USA (out of the desert once east of US-83)



The radio system proposed is dirt cheap for what it does. Far “less expensive” than a $25 Baofang which does nothing.

There are some upgrades — if desired — as you go along, but nothing prohibitive as the proposal covers what matters most, upfront.

.

 

[T680]

Don’t forget about all the trucks that have mounted antennas, but no radio. Last warehouse I worked in, had something like 150 tractors give or take. They all came in with dual firestik style antennas mounted, but I’d say only 30-40 actually had a radio in the cab.

They come that way from the factory, all you need to do is connect your radio to the supplied connections for power, antenna and speaker and your up and running.
Most drivers don't use CB regularly though. Between people like the mud duck monopolizing the airways, companies that slip seat ( drivers sharing trucks instead of using the same truck) and drivers using their phone CB use isn't that common until there's a problem and then you will hear it come to life. Unfortunately you can't trust a lot of what you hear then.

 

[slowmover]

Duk Dik got shut down. But not the other azzclowns.