No CB. No Problem.

[Grandiego]

Originally Posted by Area904

I think you'd find that there are times when owning a CB is an aid to safety, and knowing what's holding up the traffic up ahead can help you decide whether to keep going, stop, or get off the interstate. Hard to do with a cell phone!

All you'll need is the cheapest thing you can find, for that. No bells and whistles, mods, or "tune-ups". The antenna system is actually more important than the radio, and don't think bigger is always better. Most of those "big" antennas that look like they belong in a science fiction movie are just decorated pieces of junk. Do you own research, and you won't spend a lot of money for nothing!

But, if you can get along without a CB, so much the better, right?

Thx. If I were to get a CB someday it would be something cheap. (My truck already has a terminal and antenna).

[Grandiego]

Originally Posted by Truckerjo

True but you may find yourself in this situation, they will not call you, you have to wait in your truck, you have to wait for the yard dog to come by and tell you your door (when he gets around to it, that's if he remembers)

Okay many other reason a CB may be handy
Traffic, wrecks construction backups ext...
Weather
need a little help finding a location and your not able to get somebody on the phone...
Something wrong with your truck and another trucker may try to let you know vs you try to tell another trucker he has something wrong...
So, many reasons a CB is an important tool for a trucker

Now, it is true that 95% of the #### on the CB is exactly that "####"... But you do not have to have it up where you can hear it..

I myself turned it up just enough where I could pick out certain words like Bear, wreck, backup ext... After a while it becomes automatic and your able to just pick certain words out like that and not hear the rest of the gibberish....


Many post in this forum (not necessary in this section) that will give you endless situation where a CB is needed...

I don't have a laptop and am home for only a couple days at a time so sorry about the delay in response... There are a lot of things that a trucker can buy (laptop, cell phone, GPS, Satellite radio, mp3 player, TV, fridge, 12v cooler, cd player, etc... ...even a CB. To me, a CB rates toward the bottom. Over time I may buy a CB but a GPS would be something I'd splurge on before considering the CB which I am absolutely certain would irritate the hell out of me, almost as much as liberal and conservative talk radio do.

[danc694u]

Originally Posted by Grandiego

I don't have a laptop and am home for only a couple days at a time so sorry about the delay in response... There are a lot of things that a trucker can buy (laptop, cell phone, GPS, Satellite radio, mp3 player, TV, fridge, 12v cooler, cd player, etc... ...even a CB. To me, a CB rates toward the bottom. Over time I may buy a CB but a GPS would be something I'd splurge on before considering the CB which I am absolutely certain would irritate the hell out of me, almost as much as liberal and conservative talk radio do.

While it may be the last thing on your list. It is the very first thing on my list. Everything you named in your above list can be left home, and you will do just fine if you have a CB.

When I first started...is was several changes of clothes, a bird dog, and a CB...that's all. Oh, and a map.

The importance of having a CB and actually having it on, can not be stressed enough. Safety is a HUGE factor. I keep mine squelched back, turned down. And occasionally off. Until I hit traffic..then it's wide open.

Yes... it can be annoying as hell. But it can save your life, more times than that cell phone ever will. Don't believe it ? Ask any of these guys that run US 93 between I-15 and Jackpot NV, "How large is the dead zone?" Especially in the dead of winter. Your QC is worthless, it could take hours for help to reach you. But a passing truck (that has a #### radio) can be stopped in minutes.

[Grandiego]

Originally Posted by danc694u

While it may be the last thing on your list. It is the very first thing on my list. Everything you named in your above list can be left home, and you will do just fine if you have a CB.

When I first started...is was several changes of clothes, a bird dog, and a CB...that's all. Oh, and a map.

The importance of having a CB and actually having it on, can not be stressed enough. Safety is a HUGE factor. I keep mine squelched back, turned down. And occasionally off. Until I hit traffic..then it's wide open.

Yes... it can be annoying as hell. But it can save your life, more times than that cell phone ever will. Don't believe it ? Ask any of these guys that run US 93 between I-15 and Jackpot NV, "How large is the dead zone?" Especially in the dead of winter. Your QC is worthless, it could take hours for help to reach you. But a passing truck (that has a #### radio) can be stopped in minutes.

If a passing truck can be stopped using a CB, why can't it be stopped the old fashioned way...getting out of your truck and waving your arms?

[bbkeo]

Having a cb on can be annoying sometimes. But there are times I am grateful that I had mine on. One time was when I was heading down I-40 just east of Raliegh NC. it was raining really bad. I could barely see past the hood of my truck. I was cruising along and all of a sudden I heard a driver yell Swift two cars just wiped out in front of you back it down. If I wouldn't have had my radio on I would have slammed into them. Having that thing on saved me from seriously hurting someone.

[danc694u]

Originally Posted by Grandiego

If a passing truck can be stopped using a CB, why can't it be stopped the old fashioned way...getting out of your truck and waving your arms?

It can. But I'd rather not take the chance of some extremely tired driver running about 75 mph splattering my ### across 100 feet of asphalt, in the dark.

And what will you do if that passing truck doesn't pass? Instead it turns off about a 1/2 mile before it gets to you.

Options are life. I value my life, therefore I provide for every option...good and bad. But then again, I'm the same guy that carries Sterno in my truck...for emergencies.

[Grandiego]

Originally Posted by bbkeo

Having a cb on can be annoying sometimes. But there are times I am grateful that I had mine on. One time was when I was heading down I-40 just east of Raliegh NC. it was raining really bad. I could barely see past the hood of my truck. I was cruising along and all of a sudden I heard a driver yell Swift two cars just wiped out in front of you back it down. If I wouldn't have had my radio on I would have slammed into them. Having that thing on saved me from seriously hurting someone.

Good point.

[danc694u]

Originally Posted by Muleskinner

For the life of me I can't figure what goes through somebodys head that does this job without a radio.I know the drawbacks of listening to idiots,but man,I can't begin to count the times it's helped me throughout the years.

I can't tell you the number of times it has completely saved my ### and life.

Kinda like a Visa card....everywhere, you want to be....and a lot more you don't

[CMoore2004]

Originally Posted by Grandiego

Good point.

On another note, he could've also been driving at a safe speed for the road conditions and there would've been no risk of hitting the car--even without advance notification over the CB.

[wsyrob]

Originally Posted by CMoore2004

On another note, he could've also been driving at a safe speed for the road conditions and there would've been no risk of hitting the car--even without advance notification over the CB.

True but I would want the notification anyway. I was in the no cb camp until I got one last week. Warned me if two wrecks ahead allowing me a mile or more to get stopped.

The second one I was deadheading home after being out for 11 days. I had just enough time left on my 70 to make it. Hearing about the wreck 20 miles ahead I was able to stop for an extended lunch break and not have to break HOS rules to get home.