My first load 52 years ago. Trucking ain't the same, but has really changed

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by jbatmick, Jul 2, 2025.

  1. 201

    201 Road Train Member

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    While the Cobra was a good CB, most of us cut our teeth on the old Johnson Messenger 23. When 40 channels came out, that was something. You could finally get away from those that still had 23s. I had a JC Penny( with Sony guts) that was a good CB. There was Royce, Midland, Uniden, just to name a few. Just for the record, I've been out 20+ years, and still look at every truck that goes by, but I don't miss it.
     
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  3. Wargames

    Wargames Captain Crusty

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    I ran local so really did`nt need one, but had to have one. Many years ago i bought a General Lee, have`nt used it in 25 years, had them good ol Motorola Finals in it. Sits on a Shelf with a small towel on it to keep dust off.
     
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  4. Deere hunter

    Deere hunter Road Train Member

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    I still have my first radio. It was a pace 23 channel. I think I put a picture on here year or two ago. I run a galaxy DX 47 HP now. I've got a striker for a back up, not sure which one's the better radio.
     
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  5. kemosabi49

    kemosabi49 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    Best radio I ever had was a 23 channel Johnson. i wanted a 40 channel so I got one and gave the Johnson away. Wished I hadn't, because I rarely ever went higher than channel 23 anyway.
     
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  6. Gearjammin' Penguin

    Gearjammin' Penguin "Ride Fast-Truck Safe"

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    Was there ever a "Big Johnson Radios" t-shirt? Because there are tons of possibilities for that one.
     
  7. 201

    201 Road Train Member

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    Years ago, the "Johnny 123A"( I think the "A" was a sideband channel?) had a whopping 1/4 mile range, best you could hope for. Back then, you could tell the ones that ran "turbochargers"( linear amps) and bled over on everyone. 40 channels was a blessing. The base load K40 antenna changed everything too. No longer was a 108 whip needed.
     
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  8. Brandonpdx

    Brandonpdx Road Train Member

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    let’s be honest there’d be half as many people willing to drive a truck, let alone sleep in one on a disgusting summer evening where the humidity is as high as the temperature if they had to do it without A/C. Maybe less than half. The princesses who have their truck idling all night when it’s 68 degrees really crack me up.
     
  9. MACK E-6

    MACK E-6 Moderator Staff Member

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    I did that all my life, even before I was trucking. I stopped doing that once trucks stopped looking like trucks.

    They’re all hideous anymore.
     
  10. MACK E-6

    MACK E-6 Moderator Staff Member

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    To be fair I’d likely be one of those princesses too, but I’d also be the one with the windows wide open when it’s 38. ;)
     
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  11. Brandonpdx

    Brandonpdx Road Train Member

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    used to be a high trust society that knew right from wrong. Maybe “respected” right from wrong is a better way to put it. Part of it is the 3rd worlder invasion. They’re often just here to take advantage of our county’s generosity and see what they can get away with without getting caught. Different mentality. They’d obviously be the ones driving off without paying, because in their low-trust cultures they come from they expect anybody foolish enough to trust other people to be honest or do the right thing deserves to be taken advantage of. But because we now live in such multicultural dystopia (Europe too) everybody gets the a-hole treatment and it’s a less friendly and civilized country.
     
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