For that route (IH-15 the whole way; SoCal to Butte?), with that radio rig (7ā or taller to 14ā over center-of-metal-mass with NRC-equipped radio?) and operator keyed up regularly (passivity is not a test).
Population Density + Commercial Traffic Route
1989 radio rig with a too-short antenna on a body side-mount Jeep? Thatās the definition of below-average.
In the last quarter-century Iāve not ever had an extended conversation with a āJeepā (non-SUV).
Undesirable Vehicle
Failure to regularly enquire of on-coming traffic what conditions theyāve observed may affect me is part of any ātestā in a region without the population density of 30ā average annual rainfall.
Operator without control protocol
1). Route
2). Radio Rig
3). Operator
ā The similar distance of Orlando, FL to Chicago, IL roundtrip would give a wholly different result.
ā An NRC-equipped with antenna to 14ā over a better vehicle and run wide-open would have caught what was possible.
ā The persistent operator will
always wake-up and get responses from others given that his own rig isnāt marginal.
I ran the northern part of that route Christmas Day
and due to snow/ice lingering had radio talk throughout.
Was on the phone awhile yesterday with a friend after he got over Cajon heading East and the radio bubbled up several times en route on the southern portion to Flagstaff, AZ (SQ & RF Gain dialed in to exclude distant).
In big truck we average 2500-3000/miles every week. One week does not a story tell. All kinds of factors can queer yearly norms thru a region in some weeks.
To increase the margin of success itās necessary to have an above-average radio rig on an HF-capable vehicle with a motivated operator when in remote regions.
One can run Montana to Alaska roundtrip (5,000-miles) and he isnāt going to hear much on CB as itās well-known that more radio traffic is on the LADD channels between both points.
High performance, therefore, is not an option, itās mandatory.
ā Poor radio rig in poor vehicle without operator discipline across remote region
isnāt a test applying to most others.
A 5-ft plus NMO antenna on a Ford F-150 with NRC radio plus noise abatement measures applied would be a fair test.
A 2024 radio rig. It may fall a little short of whatās possible, but itās a not-unreasonable definition of whatās needed to deliver an opinion applicable to the majority across the remote West (even on Interstate).
The lesson is that a Jeep isnāt hampered solely by poor physics as a highway vehicle, but that itās also incapable of the HF performance needed to make contact with the highest potential number of other radio operators (without prohibitively expensive gear).
What we learned is to put the Jeep on a trailer = lowered risk travel with a higher rate of on-air success.
From this post onwards is the most exhaustive analysis of truck driver radio use youāll find:
Post in thread 'Do truckers still use CB Radios?'
Do truckers still use CB Radios?
Theyāre the backbone.
Hear, and Get Heard is
also understanding patterns of use in order to meet success.
.