Portland Area CB Help

[Stlhdbvr1]

Good morning all!

I’m not exactly new to the site as I used to be hot and heavy in my police scanner and used the site for info but I couldnt recover my original login info so I had to create a new account lol. Fast forward 10 years and my attention has shifted to CB’s. I’m still very much an amateur and still trying to figure this out as I go and when an issue comes up.

I installed a Bearcat 980 in my pickup to use on a recent hunting trip where we were traveling on active logging roads. My 6 year old has been really interested in the cb since I put it in and always wants to listen to the people with high powered radios, whenever we drive the truck around.

I can’t seem to make any contacts when we try to see if anyone is listening so my question is, what channels are people running in the Portland area freeways? I’m mostly on AM when we’re running around town but would like to try out the USB/LSB capabilities of the radio. Is anyone around here using usb/lsb? My radio is dialed in (at least the built in swr meter tells me I am) I’ve been able to talk to people that have been right in front of me in the woods and they tell me I’m coming in clear but have yet to make a contact anywhere else. Am I missing something or is cb radio really that dead around here?

Any help and info is greatly appreciated and likely to make a 6 year old very happy! Lol

Thanks!

 

[Baker845]

CB radio likely still in use, they are in trucks going up and down I-5. But, its not in heavy use around the cities, at least i don't hear much where i live here in Oregon. But, ham radio or GMRS maybe something to look into. GMRS there is no test, but cost $35 for a license. A Test is required for a Ham radio license. GMRS and Ham radio are popular, and you are likely to have better luck talking to people or getting in contact with someone.

 

[devicelab]

In case you didn't realize it, sideband is primarily for long range contacts. You should use AM/FM on channels 1-35 and LSB on 36-40.

CB radio really died around here back in the late 90s -- with the exception of the truckers -- and they usually confine themselves to CH 19 or some other channel. Lately, the CB bands have been really good so you can hear well with an average setup.

FWIW, CB is 5w maximum on AM/FM -- this is why a lot of people use some kind of amp. If you have a solid configuration with low SWR then you may want to consider one. They're not very expensive.

RM Italy KL203P CB Amplifier | CB Radio Magazine

RM KL203-P Amplifier Review The KL203 has been one of those amplifiers I recommend to people again and again over the years. They are inexpensive, they put out a solid 100 watts, which is more than enough for most DX, and as long as you don’t overdrive them they can last for quite a RM KL203-P...

cbradiomagazine.com