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Do truckers still use CB Radios?
- Thread starter MCKFD34
- Start date
Some trucking companies do not allow modifications of their trucks and CB radios are often considered modifications.
mmckenna
I ♥ Ø
So many variables….
No, it's nothing like the 70's.
Some areas of the country see more activity than others.
Some highways/interstates see more activity than others.
Some drivers rely on it heavily, and some seem like they don't.
But no, not anything like it was back in the past. You will/may occasionally hear some CB traffic, but it's really dependent on location and time of day.
And make sure you are using an actual CB antenna. Most scanner antennas don't work well on those lower frequencies, no matter what the people selling them say.
No, it's nothing like the 70's.
Some areas of the country see more activity than others.
Some highways/interstates see more activity than others.
Some drivers rely on it heavily, and some seem like they don't.
But no, not anything like it was back in the past. You will/may occasionally hear some CB traffic, but it's really dependent on location and time of day.
And make sure you are using an actual CB antenna. Most scanner antennas don't work well on those lower frequencies, no matter what the people selling them say.
lwvmobile
DSD-FME
From what I've seen every time I've pulled into Love's Truck Stop for something, all the truckers are wearing Bluetooth or wired gaming headsets and talking to somebody non-stop on their phones, no matter where they are, including in the bathroom or ordering food. It really triggers one of my social behavior pet peeves.
MCKFD34
Member
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A CB antenna works on a scanner?
MCKFD34
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I always go to the CB radio display case and have a look...so cool.
With right connector or adapter, sure. But only works well to receive 27 mhz.
MCKFD34
Member
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lwvmobile
DSD-FME
Or the advertisements plastered on the wall in the bathroom. Then you see the price tag lol.
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It's a very large country with truckers being at a premium and revered... they are out there as proud as ever. You probably have less owner operators as opposed to employees of a company as GlobalNorth referred to.
It's basically location, I live in an area that was once a heavy trucker CB area in Pennsylvania where the Pennsylvania Turnpike, the New Jersey Turnpike, Route 1, Route 95, Route 13, and route 195, connected, with multiple truck stops and restaurants. At one time this was the busiest area for CB on Channel 19, lot lizards with handhelds and all in the 70s 80s 90s and Beyond.
That started to slow down in the early 2000s and today Channel 19 resembles Channel 9 in the 80s. We did have one psychotic who would ramble on all day with profanity and playing music and whistling for a number of years ago but he's gone now.
It depends on your location. I still listen to Channel 19 on one of my multiple radios. Once in awhile you will hear a caravan momentarily moving through.
In other parts of the country it is as busy as ever. It really is location-based
It's basically location, I live in an area that was once a heavy trucker CB area in Pennsylvania where the Pennsylvania Turnpike, the New Jersey Turnpike, Route 1, Route 95, Route 13, and route 195, connected, with multiple truck stops and restaurants. At one time this was the busiest area for CB on Channel 19, lot lizards with handhelds and all in the 70s 80s 90s and Beyond.
That started to slow down in the early 2000s and today Channel 19 resembles Channel 9 in the 80s. We did have one psychotic who would ramble on all day with profanity and playing music and whistling for a number of years ago but he's gone now.
It depends on your location. I still listen to Channel 19 on one of my multiple radios. Once in awhile you will hear a caravan momentarily moving through.
In other parts of the country it is as busy as ever. It really is location-based
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Don't forget they have opened FM as another mode on the 27 MHz. CB channels. I haven't seen any CB FM capable transceivers, but I'm sure the market will be inundated soon.
mmckenna
I ♥ Ø
Yes, since it should be resonate at 27MHz, it's going to outperform the "one antenna for all" thing that comes with most scanners. As you get lower in frequency, it gets difficult to fake a real antenna on a radio.
If you are using the stock antenna that came with a hand held or base/mobile scanner, that -may- explain why you are not hearing anything. Add an old CB antenna and you may hear something. When I was active was scanners, I never had much luck below the VHF band until I added a dedicated antenna.
Just keep in mind, that a CB antenna will work great with your scanner for CB, it's probably going to start being a pretty poor antenna as you get up into the UHF, 700 and 800MHz ranges.
And while many scanner antennas will have claims of "25 to 1300MHz", the truth is, they don't work well out on the fringes like that. True, a paperclip can act as a pretty good antenna if the signal is strong enough. But keep in mind that most CB'ers are using a <4 watt radio into a really crappy antenna, and are lucky if they get a few miles range.
KA0KDW
Member
Here in southern Missouri we hear more truck drivers on amateur radio (legally) versus CB. at least in my experience.
chrismol1
P25 TruCking!
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- Mar 15, 2008
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Not much but some trucks have the antennas but many trucks I see on the highways don't anymore where once almost every truck had dual whips. The days of 19 aren't like they used to be even 10 yrs ago at least for my area. Mostly Waze app has replaced the "smokey bear" reports and accidents and other apps with traffic conditions. I'm sure out in the middle of nowhere its still a decent tool. I miss the good old days where a bored trucker would paint the beautiful profane and very colorful picture of someone he was seeing
This made me smile. God Bless You.
MindenJoe
Member
I drive down Interstate 5 in Northern California to the central coast several times a year. Sometimes to pass the time I will look at trucks to see how many have CB antennas. I would guess around 50 to 60%. Now how many have a CB radio hooked up to them would be anyone's guess.
@slowmover will chime in with his usual ramble .....
I live on a pretty busy N/S corridor and Ch 17 can be very hit and miss. I have more chances of hearing a Southern drawl from an amp 2K miles away than I do something locally...
Regards,
-Frank C.
Regards,
-Frank C.
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