CB, a dying truck driver tool, what y'all think??

Discussion in 'CB Radio Forum' started by franktaylor, Aug 3, 2013.

  1. volvo244t

    volvo244t Road Train Member

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    Bettendorf, IA
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    Went by two trucks today who had issues invisible to them, that I could not contact, because they did not have [their] radio [on]. Blown trailer RRI on one truck, trailer air line flapping in the breeze on another.
     
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  3. mike5511

    mike5511 Road Train Member

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    I came out of Memphis the other day. I go north on I-55, then west on U.S. 64. Traffic is backed up from the river all the way back to the scales on I 55, north of I 40. I'm looking at all the trucks in that mess. I spot 3 of ours and hollered at them. Not one answered me! Point is, there is an easy way around all that mess and they could have took it if they'd only had their radios on and knew about the backup. I'd say it took them an hour or better to get across the river. I don't talk on one much anymore, but I'm not truckin' without one either!
     
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  4. hvacker

    hvacker Light Load Member

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    everywhere, NC
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    No pre-trip is complete without keying up the radio.
     
  5. Southwind

    Southwind Bobtail Member

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    Monroe, Georgia USA
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    That's it in a nutshell, short but says it all.
     
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  6. CruisingAlong

    CruisingAlong Medium Load Member

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    Oct 17, 2014
    Tampa , FL
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    This. .. new guys get a cb radio. It is an inexpensive tool and worthwhile investment. It is an invaluable tool at some shippers.
     
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  7. mike5511

    mike5511 Road Train Member

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    NW Arkansas
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    I think if everybody would quit being such a smart %^& on the radio, and trying to be a comedian, more drivers might use a CB. You can't even get a decent radio check anymore without somebody trying to be a "CB RAMBO"! I know society isn't very civil anymore, but we as drivers don't have to follow the leader..........CB use by more drivers is an ADVANTAGE to you as a driver! Yes it is entertainment sometimes and XM and the cell phone has largely taken over that, but it is also a SAFETY tool as well, and can save you time and therefore money at times as well! I realize it is a major pain to get a CB to work properly on today's trucks.....this is probably a good reason why some haven't put forth the effort to install a CB. I'm old school, I won't truck without one, even though I hardly ever talk on one anymore.
     
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  8. RetiredUSN

    RetiredUSN Medium Load Member

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    I wouldn't go on the road without one.

    Why?

    Accident reports.
    Going off 19 to another channel with another driver to chat with another while driving.
    Helping folks back in next to me at a poorly lit docks and truck stops.................or folks helping me.
    Catching up with other company drivers on things.
    Some shippers and receivers call you to the dock over the CB.
    Some older scales still use a CB at the fuel desk.
    There are dead areas out there where a cell phone is useless.
     
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  9. volvo244t

    volvo244t Road Train Member

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    Aside from being a valuable tool and a fun hobby, it's also just nice to look at.

    [​IMG]
     
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  10. mike5511

    mike5511 Road Train Member

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    OK I'll bite, what kind of radio is that?????
     
  11. wanttotruck

    wanttotruck Light Load Member

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    Mar 5, 2014
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    When I went out with my dad in the early 90s he always had his on. He taught me a bunch of the lingo and it seemed like an awesome tool.

    Then I started training in 2014, my trainer didn't have a cb. We ran 50% California and he wanted me to run 65 the whole way. Forget that, no way I'm risking a ticket in Cali because of something I could have avoided by having ears on.

    The first thing I bought for my truck was a cb and spent a few hours tuning the antennas to get a good swr. I thought I had screwed something up because no one would even respond to my radio check. Finally I just realized that no one uses them anymore. The only times I really hear anything are when I'm passing by a large truck stop or when I'm stuck in traffic.

    I recently started a daily lane and whenever there is a bad traffic jam I try to get on the radio and let the otr guys know of a way to bypass it. Unfortunately the waves are so clogged with arguments and useless chatter that the one time I have something useful to say... I can't get a single word through. So I just turn on some stand up comedy and put a smile on.
     
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