CB Radios

Some noise reduction has occurred, but basically the CB radio has not changed much.

I believe the CB still has a place in todays truck. They are an extremely cheap method of communicating with those other drivers around you. After the initial investment of between $40 and $200 for a decent radio and another $50 or so for reliable antennas you are ready to go.

Now, the use in todays truck really hasn't changed much. Many drivers don't have them turned on, or simply don't have them. They are useful in working around accident scenes in determining what lane to be in for example. The warning of a bear up ahead with radar is useful and whether or not scales are open. To a much lesser degree due to other technologies, directions can be obtained. Sometimes just chatting with another truck going in the same direction can keep you alert on a long drive. Who knows, you might even make a new friend.

 

There is and always have been a place for CB's in the truck , I believe they should be mandatory as a safety device ! Lets just say your driving in the fog and there is a crash around a corner a mile ahead and people are hurt and its a rural area with no visible lights on , if someone alerts oncoming traffic of the accident it has just possibly saved you from plowing into people standing on the roadway. Also in heavy traffic its nice to alert others behind you and ahead of you of problems. If another trucker is lost and you know the area well you can give him or her directions. Sometimes people want to know of a good place to eat. Of course depending where you drive you can and will run into some trash talkers or people who have the need to blow some fog horn or repeat something for 30 minutes , if you drive in New York or Jersey you will know what I mean , its always the same people , occasionally people will play the radio over the CB too , you will need to ignore these people. Overall I think its a great tool that every trucker should have.

 

a lot of shippers and receivers use the cb to communicate with the driver on where to go to get loaded or unloaded.if you doing flatbed work and hauling an oversize load that requires escort you need a cb to be able to talk to the other driver.

 

They are nice to have. I rarely hear anything on mine though. Usually silence out in Montana. Some messages are kinda important when they do come in. Some of the more helpful alerts that I received were "Eastbound, there is a drunk coming at you in the hammerlane (on the interstate)"... or "deer crossing the median at the 314".

 

I've seen signs like that before. Food distro plant in Billings has a big sign that reads "Drivers, tune to channel 22 for loading instructions".

 

and they give that weird look when you say:i dont have a cb

 

When I came back to otr in Dec, I I on getting one or not. My old cobra 29 that I kept in the garage, was invaded by dirt dobbers. When pilot I the bearcat 930 on sale, I went ahead and bought it. Most receivers and shippers get cell numbers from drivers now instead of using the cb, but you do find them occasionally.

Most of the time I start my drive with it on, but, most of the time I end up turning it off because someone is talking smack, playing the radio or preaching a sermon. Generally just being a nuisance. I'll use it if there is a traffic incident or a congested parking lot.

All said and done, I am glad to have it because it has been useful on occasion.

 

I guess I'm kind of old school, I won't run a truck without a CB even though I know these days many "drivers" don't have one or refuse to turn it on if they do have one. I still get a chuckle seeing guys or gals wandering around, clearly lost, who refuse to turn on their CB for help.... DOH!

 

I use it when the traffic or weather is jacked up, lets me know whats going on up ahead. Some customers use them to give instructions to the trucks. I usually leave mine off in the truck stops, it gets just lewd sometimes. The last thing I want to do with my off time is listen to other drivers ##### about their day.