first time cb

19 is the generally used channel, although they use 17 in California a lot. Any other channel, all you're going to hear are DXers transmitting across the country. If there's a channel you have to contact the gate on at a customer's, they'll post a sign saying it. So pay attention for that.
The CB can be useful, but there'll be times it'll serve better to frustrate you - especially at truck stops, and going through OKC always irritated the living piss out of me, with the war of words constantly going on between Stryker and the local home basers.
It's good to have one, don't get me wrong - just don't get the idea it's somehow going to open up a whole new magical world for you. Unless you're driving through Memphis and looking for narcotics. Yes, they advertise on the CB.

 

That stryker battle amused, intrigued, and now annoys the hell out of me. I don't know how a business owner finds it to be beneficial.

Yes - channel 19 sir.

 

I don't know. I never did business with him. The only times I was ever running through OKC, that exit was under construction anyhow, and it just wasn't the worth the hassle of having to stop at the bottom of the ramp to me. Even in a four wheeler (when I had to use that exit to go to the terminal for orientation with Malone) it was a PItA. Fortunately, I never had to go to that terminal again after that (and that's fortunate for more reasons than just the construction).

 

The CB is quickly becoming a dieing tool in the industry. That said you still need one in the event someone else actually has theirs on who can offer relevant info. I was moving between Joplin and OKC in relatively bad winter weather, and NO ONE the entire distance had it on or would bother to pick up the mike to respond to sensible dissemination of information offerings and requests. The worse things get with regards to wx or traffic, the more who refuse to communicate any 1st hand knowledge. It's sad, the one time they really NEED a radio, they have it off.

 

Channel 9 used to be used for emergencies and monitored by REACT as well as some law enforcement. Don't know if it still is.

 

Out here on the left coast (WA, OR, CA) it's generally 17 instead of 19. I was told it was something to do with port interference, but that could be a load of Bull Snot. Once east of the mountain range it goes back to 19.

 

I was trying to educate myself of CBs and with what I have learned so far, I'm questioning if I want one. Maybe just a hand held for when at a receivers? I don't want to listen to super truckers puff up or hear they are not wearing panties (whatever that means).

Is it feasible to function with just a hand held for shippers and leave it off the rest of the time?

 

You can get something like a Cobra 19 pretty cheap.. probably cheaper than a handheld, at that. Check the CB shops for used ones, as well... you might find something like a used Cobra 25 or 29 at a good price. The handhelds to me.... pretty crap, from my experience with them.