Do truckers still use CB Radios?

[slowmover]

I made my usual 100-mile roundtrip into Fort Worth today. Heard truckers most of the time as Skip wasn’t all that strong. 2.5-hr trip time (including stops; 1100 to 1330). This is a major cross-continental route which crosses the tee of the major Texas route.

That most drivers — cars or trucks — don’t have or don’t use CB (poor system nearly the same as not having one) is why I filled out this thread on the one hand, and added other threads to highlight the change which NRC plus high standard of installation brings about:

Those who care enough then operate at a level unknown by those who haven’t experienced it. Has to be both right gear & right install.

When things get tough and seconds count . . . there’s no substitute.

The rest of the time is near-constant evidence of AM use by others which lesser radio rigs can’t interpret assuming they can even capture it.

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[slowmover]

I made my usual 100-mile roundtrip into Fort Worth today. Heard truckers most of the time as Skip wasn’t all that strong. 2.5-hr trip time (including stops; 1100 to 1330). This is a major cross-continental route which crosses the tee of the major Texas route.

That most drivers — cars or trucks — don’t have or don’t use CB (poor system nearly the same as not having one) is why I filled out this thread on the one hand, and added other threads to highlight the change which NRC plus high standard of installation brings about:

Those who care enough then operate at a level unknown by those who haven’t experienced it. Has to be both right gear & right install.

When things get tough and seconds count . . . there’s no substitute.

The rest of the time is near-constant evidence of AM use by others which lesser radio rigs can’t interpret assuming they can even capture it.

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These observations are with the 83” Texas-1800 antenna.

When I’ve substituted my backup 60” Driver Extreme I lose the fringes from the areas I run. I might not hear some radios at a good distance (I’ll call it beyond five miles and the other man uses very little power and/or has a less-than-ideal radio system).

11’ clearance is easier to live with than 13’ in a metro. A reasonable compromise assuming none others are present.

The Goal is, Hear, and Get Heard.

The Game is, Overcome the Deficiencies of the Other Mans Rig.

The way through is via, Clarity.

That last two feet of antenna (the magic 7’) is at its best far rural with low population density.


The men working OVERSIZED in teams using typical 5’ antennas are loud & proud given they’re running minimal power (45-75W). Anyone on a US or Federal Highway has them to admire.

Maybe exceptions for some mobile home teams, but it’s always a good mirror for what one has done for his own vehicle. They’re easy to identify and locate.

When one wants to push the realistic 14’ clearance (flex whip) is where things are most fun in cross-continent service.

The wind turbine scam wasn’t good for much, but the driver looking for high performance could come across these teams coming out of Houston or Corpus Christi headed into the interior of the American West to get reliable readings on his efforts.

Same for harvester teams working their relentless way north.

Those encounters are when 14’ paid off.
7’ antennas on suitable big trucks.

@jcrmadden runs a 7’ in eastern KY on his workday pickup. I doubt he’d be willing to change to 5’. But on his or my family cars it makes the most sense to run an NMO with a 64”.

When one makes his living from the drivers seat there’s a schedule & expectations. In a private vehicle it’s much easier to execute a full stop and reconnoiter. The private vehicle exists in a different reality, so-to-speak. Has time on its side.

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[niceguy71]

I was just thinking about that $34.99 dollar Amazon CB ...... and thinking $34.99???? who on earth would think this is a good CB? ( maybe it is I have no real Idea)... but I probably have more than $34.99 in the cup holder and in the seats of my F150!! who in their right mind would think that would be a great CB for going across the country with? ( again maybe it is I have not tried it)

it is an amazing time we live in that you can buy an AM/FM radio for $34.99..... but do these cheap radio's really get the job done?

35 bucks really???

 

[mmckenna]

who on earth would think this is a good CB?

Same people that buy a $20 CCR on Amazon and think it's as good as a Motorola.

Answers:
-People that have no clue what makes a good radio.
-People on a budget that only have $34.99 to spend
-People that only need a cheap radio for listening or short range.
-People that just don't care.

Obviously they sell.
But anyone who knows better would probably see the benefit of investing a bit more in a better radio.

 

[niceguy71]

maybe I shouldn't have made fun of that $34.99 radio... as I said I never played with one... I meet a lot of guys once a month at a local Walmart parking lot for a CB talk and it seems like everyone always has the cheapest Amazon radio they can get and a Firstick antenna on the back rack or a Lil Wil..... but I had never seen this radio so I didn't really know much about it...

I watched a few video's just out of curiosity of a 35 dollar CB.... they can be modified to have 480 channels.. from 25,000 to 30,000 and it has a high low power light right on the front... after the mod on high it's 7 watts AM and 18 watts FM....

Far Point Farms said he liked the recieve??? so maybe that radio is worth a look... can't complain about the price.

 

[mmckenna]

maybe I shouldn't have made fun of that $34.99 radio... as I said I never played with one...

Nah, I think radios like that have their place. They are a way for someone with a limited budget to get a radio.
Yes, they usually end up with a $9 antenna and powered off a cigarette lighter socket, but you'll find that it sometimes leads to the realization that better radios and better antennas give better performance.

So, a gateway drug.

Yeah, probably not an impressive radio or performer. Not sure I'd trust YouTube radio reviews, though.

 

[niceguy71]

maybe I shouldn't have made fun of that $34.99 radio... as I said I never played with one... I meet a lot of guys once a month at a local Walmart parking lot for a CB talk and it seems like everyone always has the cheapest Amazon radio they can get and a Firstick antenna on the back rack or a Lil Wil..... but I had never seen this radio so I didn't really know much about it...

I watched a few video's just out of curiosity of a 35 dollar CB.... they can be modified to have 480 channels.. from 25,000 to 30,000 and it has a high low power light right on the front... after the mod on high it's 7 watts AM and 18 watts FM....

Far Point Farms said he liked the recieve??? so maybe that radio is worth a look... can't complain about the price.

I've actually tested several of the Amazon el-cheapo CB's and they have a lot... am and fm.. nrc... controls on the mic... rf gain... some seem ok.... and some ..have no receive and transmit a ton of distortion and are a total splatter box.. but some are not bad at all... I like the $75.00 dollar Radioditty CS-47 it sounded OK and did everything it said it would do... not the greatest radio but certainly not the worst
So I really should focus my dislike for the cheap 3 foot antennas..... maybe these cheap radios would work well with a good antenna.... if everyone had a Styker SAR-10 or a Larsen on the roof.... the roadways would be filled with helpful cb people

 

[MrSpock11A2B]

I think it is a combination of several concerns. One, CBs maybe considered distracted driving and that is a big buzz word now. Two, as stated elsewhere, company owned rigs may not be allowed to 'modify' the rig. Three, cell phones are easier to use and you can talk to who you want. Four apps like Waze and Radarbot give decent bear reports without all the extraneous el toro poop.
I'm on road trip this week and I've been looking at big trucks as we pass. Well over 60% (rough guess) no longer have a CB antenna on their rigs that I can see.
But at a couple of slow down/stops for whatever reason, 19 came to life. Maybe truckers have a handheld for such cases. But driving along, my rig will scan all 40 channels and other than the perpetual ratchet jaws who love locking up a channel, pretty dead.
One question though, when did channel 9 become the Spanish language chit chat channel? I've traveled through 7 states and in 5 I've heard 9 locked up with Spanish conversations.

Excellent question. When I got back into CB about two years ago, that was the first thing that struck me. When I was using CB back in the 1970's & 1980's people were very strict about channel 9 going so far as to berate people who would so much as ask for a time check on channel 9. Now it has become the Spanish channel.

 

[BrhatWeed]

Unfortunately I think a lot of the old rules have been lost to time and the later generation of users simply don't know or really understand what they were. I hear the spanish as well and it's annoying, my high school spanish isn't good enough to get the message across and even if I could I doubt they would respect it. I also know there are a few old REACT members who still keep Ch-9 on in the background and I've made contact with them recently.

I also came across another large facility that has a "ALL DRIVERS MUST CALL THE DOCK ON CB-14 BEFORE UNLOADING" message on the gate... guess the rigs that don't have a CB can't unload their chinese made junk.

 

[slowmover]

Excellent question. When I got back into CB about two years ago, that was the first thing that struck me. When I was using CB back in the 1970's & 1980's people were very strict about channel 9 going so far as to berate people who would so much as ask for a time check on channel 9. Now it has become the Spanish channel.

Illegal to use other than English.

Excuse used to screw up AM-9 isn’t a surprise.

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[kc2asb]

Unfortunately I think a lot of the old rules have been lost to time and the later generation of users simply don't know or really understand what they were. I hear the spanish as well and it's annoying, my high school spanish isn't good enough to get the message across and even if I could I doubt they would respect it. I also know there are a few old REACT members who still keep Ch-9 on in the background and I've made contact with them recently.

Even in the late 80's and 90's when I got into CB, we considered Ch 9 off limits for non-emergency use. REACT was still very much around. They were regularly featured in the Popular Communications "CB Scene" column.

It's surprising to learn that that there are still REACT members out there. However, it does not seem that Ch 9 is monitored for emergencies the way it was 30+ years ago, certainly not by public safety agencies. It does seem like the old rules have been lost to time, as you said

 

[nokones]

Illegal to use other than English.

Excuse used to screw up AM-9 isn’t a surprise.

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The use of Ch. 9 for emergencies and travelers assistance only is still the rule today however, the English language only restriction no longer exist and hasn't exist for decades for Parts 90 & 95 rules.

 

[niceguy71]

Unfortunately I think a lot of the old rules have been lost to time and the later generation of users simply don't know or really understand what they were. I hear the spanish as well and it's annoying, my high school spanish isn't good enough to get the message across and even if I could I doubt they would respect it. I also know there are a few old REACT members who still keep Ch-9 on in the background and I've made contact with them recently.

I also came across another large facility that has a "ALL DRIVERS MUST CALL THE DOCK ON CB-14 BEFORE UNLOADING" message on the gate... guess the rigs that don't have a CB can't unload their chinese made junk.

I hate hearing of a sign to turn on channel 14, that was always set aside for the walkie talkie people who may only have the one channel.... no wonder there is always a lot of back ground noise.

No one has been able to use channel 9 for 15 plus years.... but every single cb made today has an emergency switch to switch it to channel 9???? You would think the manufacturers could let that useless feature go..... and there really is no need to put a list of fcc rules and a 10 code list in the box with new CB"s anymore

 

[kc2asb]

The use of Ch. 9 for emergencies and travelers assistance only is still the rule today however, the English language only restriction no longer exist and hasn't exist for decades for Parts 90 & 95 rules.

It may still be the rule, but the chances of getting help on Ch 9 in an emergency are slim, at best.

No one has been able to use channel 9 for 15 plus years.... but every single cb made today has an emergency switch to switch it to channel 9???? You would think the manufacturers could let that useless feature go..... and there really is no need to put a list of fcc rules and a 10 code list in the box with new CB"s anymore

As noted above, emergency use/travelers assistance is still the rule, so manufacturers continue to include the switch. Perhaps in some rural areas, there is more widespread use of CB and Ch 9 is monitored by public safety agencies. The 11m CB band is "license by rule" so the FCC rules are required to be included. Some 10 codes seem to be in current use.

 

[slowmover]

Doesn’t matter if AM-9 is today “monitored” or not, it’s that the custom is violated. That’s what matters as the situation surrounding its status can be changed overnight. It’s never changed so far as several million Americans are concerned.

Foreign language use on CB is distinctly and unequivocally un-American as it’s rejection of the most basic common bond of citizenship.

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[nd5y]

Illegal to use other than English.

Show me where in part 95 it says that.

The only time English is required in the personal radio services is for station identification and the only personal radio service that requires station identification is GMRS.

 

[mmckenna]

You do realize that some of this traffic may be coming in from other countries where English is not the primary language, right?

 

[kc2asb]

Doesn’t matter if AM-9 is today “monitored” or not, it’s that the custom is violated. That’s what matters as the situation surrounding its status can be changed overnight. It’s never changed so far as several million Americans are concerned.

Foreign language use on CB is distinctly and unequivocally un-American as it’s rejection of the most basic common bond of citizenship.

I appreciate the sentiment of respecting the custom about Ch 9, but CB has been a free-for-all for decades.

I'm not aware of any current rules requiring that English must be used on CB. Also, as previously mentioned, it's very possible many foreign language stations being heard originate from other countries.

 

[mmckenna]

I'm not aware of any current rules requiring that English must be used on CB.

There isn't. The only thing that's close is when call signs are given over voice, it must be English, but since that's not required on CB, not an issue.

There's nothing at all wrong with someone speaking another language on a CB in the U.S. It just irritates some people.

 

[kc2asb]

There isn't. The only thing that's close is when call signs are given over voice, it must be English, but since that's not required on CB, not an issue.

There's nothing at all wrong with someone speaking another language on a CB in the U.S. It just irritates some people.

Clearly. About a month or two ago, I heard a US amateur operator shouting "speak English!" at two OM's having a QSO in Spanish on 40M. Command of the English language was not the US dude's strong point either.