CBers in western York Co PA

[racefan0020]

After 25 years out of the hobby, I decided to get back in. I used to live in Wrightsville in the eastern part of the county and we ran mostly on Ch 4. Now living in Dover Twp, just wondering which, if any, channels are active in this area. I am mobile only at this time. I just purchased a Bearcat 980 Ssb radio. Need warmer weather before I would sit out in the car to listen.

 

[kc8kek]

Welcome back to the hobby. It's still a good time, if you manage your expectations a bit, are patient, and know where to look.

I can't help you with locals, I live in northeast Ohio - but I also purchased a 980 a few years ago. I've actually gone through two of them. I liked them - good size, a few useful features, and always right on frequency. But both eventually quit working after about a year and a half of light use.
In any case, there is still a bit of DX on the upper channels (not the "upper" channels...the actual common SSB channels). I use my 980 unmodified with a modest base antenna and regularly talk 20-25 miles to other regulars on SSB, and when the band isn't over-crowded, I can usually get a few skip contacts.

Anyway, welcome back, and if you don't find a group of locals on the band, give SSB a shot.
Have fun.

 

[blueseas]

Hello and welcome back to CB. I'm in Manchester, MD (far NE Carroll Co). There is a group of locals (Hanover.. Spring Grove.. East Berlin, etc.. that talk on channel 32 AM and several regional folks on 38 LSB. By regional, I mean about a 75 mile radius, encompassing MD, PA, VA and WV. Also on channel 17 AM, some folks in Adams Co and Frederick Co, MD A good ground plane at a respectable height would probably snag some of these. Good luck !

 

[spongella]

Welcome back to CB. How do you like the Bearcat 980? I sold a few of my older SSB radios and am thinking about that Bearcat. I don't live in your area, but best way to assess activity is to monitor as much as you can. These days SSB can be found mostly on channel 36 versus years ago when most was on 16. Channel 19 is still used by truckers but not nearly as much as the old days. When the band is open you can talk beyond the 150 mile limit since the FCC got rid of that restriction. I've worked Chicago and down South during openings while mobile using a 3 foot Firestick antenna, LSB, channel 16. .Channels 6 and 11 are good indicators of band openings since a few guys on those channels come in very loud and strong. Get a base antenna as soon as you can as you'll hear much more than with a mobile. Good luck and have fun.

 

[racefan0020]

I have heard some of the activity on ch 32, and when the weather warms, will spend more time listening. At this time, I want to see if getting another base will be worth it. Sucks, I used to have the best base ever made, a Cobra 2000 with a D104 and the extra channels, and sold it. The prices I have seen for that setup now are FAR more than I paid for them new. Oh well, so it is. As far as what I think of the 980, just installed it yesterday, so I really don't know yet. I do like the features and the price was good. Read MANY reviews and didn't see many bad ones. The bad ones I did see were mostly from people that don't know much or anything about the hobby. Also right now, using a relatively short range antenna, a Midland 18-2442 mag mount. Again, read a lot of reviews and same as above. Lol.