CB usage by drivers

[OpenTrackRacer]

Hi! I tow a travel trailer all the time camping with my family. I've been using CB radios since the 70's and have one in my tow vehicle.

I usually leave it on 19 with the squelch up high unless something is going on. I try to use it to get traffic info from drivers coming the opposite way but I'm rarely able to get a response. I've even been stuck in traffic chatting with other drivers going my way and they couldn't raise anyone either.

I also try to use it when special needsarise in tight traffic (I'm about 52' long... shorter than an average rig but long enough and four wheelers don't give me a space either) or help out another rig. More often than not, I'm unable to get a reply.

So, the question is... how many drivers still pay attention to the CB?

Thanks!

[Truckerjo]

I would say 70% still do....

[danc694u]

I don't think its other drivers...maybe its your radio.

If you're stuck in traffic. There are at least 10 drivers raising all kinds of ####.

If you can't hear them or they can't hear you. You've got other problems.

Have your radio checked out...in the truck.

Drivers coming from the other way. Your radio is like all radios. Not tall enough to get over the grass.

[OpenTrackRacer]

I've run across this using multiple radios but the radio I use now is fine and has a good antenna. I'm an old peaker and tweaker so my gear is top notch.

I've run into this running 5 watts, 25 watts and 200 watts.

That's the funny thing too... I rarely hear other drivers looking for info.

Originally Posted by danc694u

I don't think its other drivers...maybe its your radio.

If you're stuck in traffic. There are at least 10 drivers raising all kinds of ####.

If you can't hear them or they can't hear you. You've got other problems.

Have your radio checked out...in the truck.

Drivers coming from the other way. Your radio is like all radios. Not tall enough to get over the grass.

[danc694u]

Originally Posted by OpenTrackRacer

I've run across this using multiple radios but the radio I use now is fine and has a good antenna. I'm an old peaker and tweaker so my gear is top notch.

I've run into this running 5 watts, 25 watts and 200 watts.

That's the funny thing too... I rarely hear other drivers looking for info.

It just hit me LOL...you're on the wrong #### channel LMAO.

Try dropping down to 17.

California is a strange place indeed And that is part of the problem. Differant areas of CA, use differant channels. The new guys are generally unaware of this, and will be on 19 from time to time. Many won't even have a radio.

Point is, try 17 AND 19 for your conversations. I generally leave my radio on one channel, and set my scanner for the other when I travel CA.

If you're around a truckstop. 19 is where you want to be when the sun goes down

[red46]

Originally Posted by OpenTrackRacer

Hi! I tow a travel trailer all the time camping with my family. I've been using CB radios since the 70's and have one in my tow vehicle.

I usually leave it on 19 with the squelch up high unless something is going on. I try to use it to get traffic info from drivers coming the opposite way but I'm rarely able to get a response. I've even been stuck in traffic chatting with other drivers going my way and they couldn't raise anyone either.

I also try to use it when special needsarise in tight traffic (I'm about 52' long... shorter than an average rig but long enough and four wheelers don't give me a space either) or help out another rig. More often than not, I'm unable to get a reply.

So, the question is... how many drivers still pay attention to the CB?

Thanks!

As far as I know, most of them. Sometimes you'll find that the CB is quiet. That's usually during the morning hours (don't really know why) or around areas where there is usually no problems to talk about.
For the most part, though, they all are monitoring.

[medic92]

I think handy little things like XM Radio have quieted the radios a little bit as well. I've gotten to the point where I generally only turn my CB on when I'm in heavy traffic or there's an accident or construction or something.

I tried to keep it on all the time, but I can only hear "Shut up stupid" and "I'm not wearing any panties" so many times before it really gets on my nerves.

[jlkklj777]

Originally Posted by medic92

I think handy little things like XM Radio have quieted the radios a little bit as well. I've gotten to the point where I generally only turn my CB on when I'm in heavy traffic or there's an accident or construction or something.

I tried to keep it on all the time, but I can only hear "Shut up stupid" and "I'm not wearing any panties" so many times before it really gets on my nerves.

I have to agree with Medic on this 1. Based on all the garbage on the cb radio lately; "shut up stupid," "ba-ba-booie," "I ain't got no panties on!" "where's all the women at!?" singing on the radio, playing music on the radio, dead keying, and multiple drivers keying up at the same time creating a loud squeal gets very annoying over time. Oh and lets not forget the racial epithets and the talk about "yo mama." I had enough of this garbage many years ago and rarely have my cb on. Thanks to Sirius satellite radio I am entertained quite nicely.

Now in the case of inclement weather or a traffic jam I will turn the cb radio on to see what is going on but do not usually key up.

Primarily it is used for customers that will call me for a dock assignment.

[RickG]

Originally Posted by jlkklj777

I have to agree with Medic on this 1. Based on all the garbage on the cb radio lately; "shut up stupid," "ba-ba-booie," "I ain't got no panties on!" "where's all the women at!?" singing on the radio, playing music on the radio, dead keying, and multiple drivers keying up at the same time creating a loud squeal gets very annoying over time. Oh and lets not forget the racial epithets and the talk about "yo mama." I had enough of this garbage many years ago and rarely have my cb on. Thanks to Sirius satellite radio I am entertained quite nicely.

Now in the case of inclement weather or a traffic jam I will turn the cb radio on to see what is going on but do not usually key up.

Primarily it is used for customers that will call me for a dock assignment.

If you kept your radio on you wouldn't be in a traffic jam . You likely would have heard about it 50 miles up the road and been able to avoid it . Always a gamble though . It can clear up as soon as you turn to the "go 'round "

[jlkklj777]

Originally Posted by RickG

If you kept your radio on you wouldn't be in a traffic jam . You likely would have heard about it 50 miles up the road and been able to avoid it . Always a gamble though . It can clear up as soon as you turn to the "go 'round "

That is true enough and to be honest about it I have been stuck on occassion due to an accident I was not aware of ahead of time. By the same token I have on occassion jumped off to take an alternate route only to find the 2 lane all backed up from others doing the same exact thing and then hearing on the radio "hey its all cleared up now drivers and you'll be rolling in a couple of minutes!" In the meantime I am stuck on a 2 lane creeping and crawling for the next half hour trying to get back to the big road.

Kind of a "damned if you do, damned if you don't" situation. I must say though the peace and quiet in tha cab is far more preferable to the obnoxious rantings of my fellow "drivers" when I have left the cb on.

By the way there was a bad accident this past winter going over Flag that I got stuck in for 4 hours. I was listening to satellite radio and did not hear about the snow squall that caused a dozen accidents on both sides of I40. I missed the exit for the Pilot by a half mile and there were no alternate routes. So I simply made some dinner in the microwave, listened to the radio, and got online with my laptop (I have a verizon aircard). The 4 hours flew right by and I was a happy camper in the comfort of my big truck with a full belly and warm toes.

Bottom line? If your going to be an otr trucker be prepared and don't sweat the small stuff.