Breaker, Breaker: CB in Ontario

[plaws]

Back In The Day, when XM numbers were a thing, I knew all the channels. No more.

When we back moved up last summer, I had the scanner in the car set to listen to channel 19 because, as we knew back in the day, this is where all the truckers were. Yeah, no. I don't think squelch broke more than a half dozen times between Oklahoma and Eastern Ontario.

In Canada, 10 (BITD) was more the preferred channel on the highways. In Quebec, les camionneurs préféraient le canal 12.

But it's not the 80's, let alone the 70s ... I hear almost nothing on my CB (yes, there is a President Thomas FCC AM/FM here in the shack) except, of course, Superbowl 6.

I did hear some guy talking to another guy (who I couldn't hear) about his amplifier setup and how he had Bird wattmeters in multiple places in his feedline so that he'd know if something changed with his antennas - "I don't care if it's 1000 watts or 1500, I just need to know if it changed".

Any ideas? I mean, I'm scanning, but ... dead, dead, dead. Other than 6 (and scattered other channels).

 

[gary123]

There are still a few locals that use CB. The band is still a mess with overpowered users and the sun cycle. Locally there is a group running on Ch35 SSB and FM PL 123.0.

 

[Noseybody]

I had one back in the 70's and 80's when I was trucking, it was quit busy back then. A couple years ago I bought a handheld figured I would use it on trips and for emergency communication. I live about 1 km from the 401. I left it on for about a week at home, not even a peep out of it.

Starting to think it was a dud. Then on a Sunday it came to life, big time blaring, one of those high powered users with a southern accent. That was the only time I heard anything on it other than the weather bands. I took it on a 3 hour each way trip on the 401. Nothing, not a sound.
It was quite handy to warn and be warned of trouble on the highway. If they were still used perhaps there would be fewer accidents on the 401 today.

 

[mrweather]

XM71-23516 here. I normally throw one in the car if I'm driving the 401 any distance, and it has occasionally alerted me to traffic issues ahead.

 

[plaws]

XM71-23516 here. I normally throw one in the car if I'm driving the 401 any distance, and it has occasionally alerted me to traffic issues ahead.

XM52-30670 ... OK, my Mom had the license, but never mind that.

Sad that there is no one there any more. 40-50 years ago, it was useful for anyone that was on the road a lot but now you just call or text (after pulling over and securing the vehicle, OF COURSE). I've had scanners for 40+ years, too, and almost all the non-public safety stuff is gone as well and for the same reasons.

We're close enough to the 417 that I can tell it's snowing pretty good because the traffic noise dies down so if *anyone* was using CB, I'd hear
it. Not that far from A-50 either, so would expect to hear CB traffic from there but ...

*sigh*

 

[Noseybody]

XM52-30670 ... OK, my Mom had the license, but never mind that.

Sad that there is no one there any more. 40-50 years ago, it was useful for anyone that was on the road a lot but now you just call or text (after pulling over and securing the vehicle, OF COURSE). I've had scanners for 40+ years, too, and almost all the non-public safety stuff is gone as well and for the same reasons.

We're close enough to the 417 that I can tell it's snowing pretty good because the traffic noise dies down so if *anyone* was using CB, I'd hear
it. Not that far from A-50 either, so would expect to hear CB traffic from there but ...

*sigh*

I have heard that before, texting, but how do you text the trucker in front of you, and all the others ??? in the area ?

 

[VA3WEX]

I do CB occasionally, along with ham radio and scanning.

I'm scanning, but ... dead, dead, dead.

"Not dead!" (Said with British accent, channelling my inner Monty Python).

Really, you should be hearing lots and lots. In fact, there's a whole thread over in the CB room here on RadioReference about how, with the solar cycle being what it is nowadays, skip is so good and it's cacophony. There are so many conversations going on, and specifically on Channel 19 AM, that it's difficult to listen to!

CB is pretty low frequency for most scanners with rubber duck variant antennas. If you're not hearing much, it could be the antenna you're using is not optimized for 11m. It's attenuating everything. Scanning with my BC125AT I will also hear nothing, but then turn on the CB (complete with proper CB antenna) and there is plenty to hear. So if you can get a longer antenna I suspect you will have better luck scanning.

But you don't want it too good or you'll hear every transmission going on all over the planet. You need to attenuate just enough to drown out all the skip (intentional and unintentional), but not enough to totally cut everything out. Check the threads over in the CB room for hints. It's a hot topic over there.

There is local AM activity around this neck of the woods (I see you are in Hawkesbury). In the Ottawa area, a group of locals hang out on 23 AM to ragchew, and I've spoken with them a few times. And every dumptruck in town has a pair of antennas, and the various gravel pits all use CB to direct traffic of incoming and outgoing trucks.

And there's always skipshooters on 37 and 38 sideband (and other channels too). I get out to Florida, Alabama, and Kansas with a barefoot 4 Watt President McKinley on sideband pretty consistently. There is quite a lot of SSB activity on CB, but I don't think any scanner picks up SSB as a mode, so you will never hear any of that just with a scanner.

If you have $324 kicking around, Radioworld in Toronto has the upgraded version of my radio (upgraded to include FM): Uniden President McKinley II AM/FM/SSB CB - Radioworld

 

[Gymbag]

I have one in my vehicle and very seldom do I hear anything on it even when travel up and down the 401/402/403.

 

[VA3JPX]

In the Ottawa area, I hear local construction on Ch 3. On am Ch. 6, 8, 28 are the usual banter from the States. Ch 34 thru 40 USB and LSB are very active, mainly skip. Fun to listen to and take par,t if you can.

However, it certainly ain't like it was in the 70's/80's/90's - back when CB radio was 'social media'.

 

[plaws]

I do CB occasionally, along with ham radio and scanning.


"Not dead!" (Said with British accent, channelling my inner Monty Python).

Really, you should be hearing lots and lots. In fact, there's a whole thread over in the CB room here on RadioReference about how, with the solar cycle being what it is nowadays, skip is so good and it's cacophony. There are so many conversations going on, and specifically on Channel 19 AM, that it's difficult to listen to!

"I'm getting better!"

More interested in local stuff. Plenty of possibly-not-rules-compliant chatter on Superbowl 6. I'm just surprised at how little local stuff I hear given my proximity to the 417. When I say "scan", I mean with my President Thomas FCC. Unlike an actual scanner, there doesn't seem to be a way to lock out a channel on scan, so if 6 is active, it will stop there and just stay. If not, it works OK ... but nothing.

The antenna *is* a compromise - an ancient Antenna Specialists "25-470" MHz scanner antenna ... but it's stuck on the windowsill inside. The plan is for a 1/4λ vertical outside when it warms up some more. I can hook it to the multi-band trap dipole (should be close enough at 27 MHz but I have a tuner if not). But that will likely get me more skip which isn't of interest.

Needless to day, I've heard not a single FM transmission, even when we were still in Oklahoma.

 

[gary123]

FM is still new and it will take some time for many CBers to get FM hardware and start using it. Locally I use Ch35 FM with a PL of 123 although we generally keep the RX CSQ on the chance someone new shows up. I am aware that many basic FM CBs do not include the PL/DPL option.

 

[plaws]

FM is still new and it will take some time for many CBers to get FM hardware and start using it. Locally I use Ch35 FM with a PL of 123 although we generally keep the RX CSQ on the chance someone new shows up. I am aware that many basic FM CBs do not include the PL/DPL option.

The President Thomas FCC does not have CTCSS, sadly. I wanted to buy the first (legal) FM radio, not the best. 😜 I really wanted a McKinley II FCC all-mode but I see its already been replaced by the George FCC … which has CTCSS/DCS but doesn't seem as cool …

 

[mrweather]

I have one in my vehicle and very seldom do I hear anything on it even when travel up and down the 401/402/403.

I hear a lot more activity when traveling the 401, which makes sense since there's way more truck traffic on it than the 402 or 403.

 

[exkalibur]

There's a fair bit of activity on the LADD channels these days. Mostly up on 17 but occasionally on the 401 as well.

 

[gary123]

The President Thomas FCC does not have CTCSS, sadly. I wanted to buy the first (legal) FM radio, not the best. 😜 I really wanted a McKinley II FCC all-mode but I see its already been replaced by the George FCC … which has CTCSS/DCS but doesn't seem as cool …

My choice was the CTR SS 9900 which is the same as the Anytone6666. I am not sure if the Anytone comes with CTCSS enabled though.

 

[signalhound]

I do CB occasionally, along with ham radio and scanning.


"Not dead!" (Said with British accent, channelling my inner Monty Python).

Really, you should be hearing lots and lots. In fact, there's a whole thread over in the CB room here on RadioReference about how, with the solar cycle being what it is nowadays, skip is so good and it's cacophony. There are so many conversations going on, and specifically on Channel 19 AM, that it's difficult to listen to!

CB is pretty low frequency for most scanners with rubber duck variant antennas. If you're not hearing much, it could be the antenna you're using is not optimized for 11m. It's attenuating everything. Scanning with my BC125AT I will also hear nothing, but then turn on the CB (complete with proper CB antenna) and there is plenty to hear. So if you can get a longer antenna I suspect you will have better luck scanning.

But you don't want it too good or you'll hear every transmission going on all over the planet. You need to attenuate just enough to drown out all the skip (intentional and unintentional), but not enough to totally cut everything out. Check the threads over in the CB room for hints. It's a hot topic over there.

There is local AM activity around this neck of the woods (I see you are in Hawkesbury). In the Ottawa area, a group of locals hang out on 23 AM to ragchew, and I've spoken with them a few times. And every dumptruck in town has a pair of antennas, and the various gravel pits all use CB to direct traffic of incoming and outgoing trucks.

And there's always skipshooters on 37 and 38 sideband (and other channels too). I get out to Florida, Alabama, and Kansas with a barefoot 4 Watt President McKinley on sideband pretty consistently. There is quite a lot of SSB activity on CB, but I don't think any scanner picks up SSB as a mode, so you will never hear any of that just with a scanner.

If you have $324 kicking around, Radioworld in Toronto has the upgraded version of my radio (upgraded to include FM): Uniden President McKinley II AM/FM/SSB CB - Radioworld

Hey there, please accpet my apologies if I am not following or breaking rules. I am new to all of this. I have read some rules when I registered at RadioReference.com but am not entirely sure if I am obeying them all.

One rule, I may have read is not to message anyone in the forums or threads, here I have clciked on a reply button.
So, VA3WEX, just quickly I read your thread, or post where I read Radioworld in Toronto has a Uniden President McKinley II. From time to time I have checked out Radioworld's website and I have even gone into the store in person.

In my experience Radioworld has more, or should I say different raidos appearing on their website then they have in their showroom. I just wonder if you have noticed this or anyone else has noticed this. Maybe it is just me and I should simply place a phone call to the store to ask about availability of the radios.

Warm regards, 73's from Paul. Name here is Paul. Again, just quickly, I am new to this all of this, online radio forums and such. If you comment to me reference to this message I am typing and I do not reply it may only be becuase I do not see it or cannot find it after logging out and loggin back in. I am new to all of this but eager to take part and participate, cost allowing.

 

[mciupa]

Paul you are not breaking rules. Since you are a new member, you do not have private messaging access yet. Same thing with your forum posts, they won't appear until a Moderator approves them. Once it appears that you are not a spam account and are contributing properly to discussions, you will in time become a full member and have those privileges.

 

[VA3WEX]

In my experience Radioworld has more, or should I say different raidos appearing on their website then they have in their showroom. I just wonder if you have noticed this or anyone else has noticed this. Maybe it is just me and I should simply place a phone call to the store to ask about availability of the radios.

I've never been there in person, so I can't say.

They seem to have a close affiliation with GPS Central GPS Central | Canada’s #1 GPS & More Store | Calgary, Canada either that or GPS Central is a branch of Radioworld. Not sure which. I've bought from both websites at various times and there are sometimes slight differences in what they offer. Your idea to call and and talk to someone is definitely a good one--speaking with a "real live human being" is always the best way to figure something out.

There are not a lot of Canadian radio sources. Here are a few alternatives if Radioworld does not end up pleasing you:

Amateur Radio – Vernon Communications Kenwood dealer, amateur, marine, commercial 2-way, antennas

Burnaby Radio Communications – Communication Hardware and Supplies amateur Alinco, Icom, and Kenwood, some CBs, antennas

Ham Radio Amateur Yaesu, Alinco, and Icom, commercial 2-way, a few scanners/receivers, marine, avionics, used equipment

Peppers Radio Communication Amateur focusing on Chinese products; some CBs and antennas; amps; commercial 2-way; various used, "vintage", and discontinued items. Product selection really varies a lot have to check in regularly

Fleetwood Digital - Ham Radios, CB Radios, VHF Radio, Marine Radio CBs, CB style 10m, Retevis amateur handheld, business, marine, scanners.

DXCANADA.CA Amateur Ham Radio Online Variety of Chinese radios

Jacques Radio Communication CB shop in Quebec

SolutionCB - CB Radio - CB Antenna - CB Kit - VHF Radio - Scanner Radio - CB Accessories Anothr Quebec CB shop and I've bought stuff from them, good quality offerings and very good to deal with. Bilingual website. CBs, antennas, commercial, marine, scanners, cell boosters and antennas.

 

[XBrandonEdwardX]

They seem to have a close affiliation with GPS Central GPS Central | Canada’s #1 GPS & More Store | Calgary, Canada either that or GPS Central is a branch of Radioworld.

I've heard that Radio World owns GPS Central.

 

[mrweather]

They do. GPS Central is their Western Canada presence.