CB radios

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by MrHarleyDude, May 15, 2015.

  1. MACK E-6

    MACK E-6 Moderator Staff Member

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    Sep 19, 2005
    Baltimore, MD
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    I have one and use it. Like someone else said, it's better to have one and not need it, then to need one and not have one.

    As far as I'm concerned it pays for itself the first time a driver going the other way tells you about the total road closure ahead of you BEFORE you get to the best detour around it. :)
     
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  3. WitchingHour

    WitchingHour Road Train Member

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    Apr 1, 2011
    Broomfield, CO
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    It's a tool which might come in handy from time to time.. might save you from having to get out and walk to a gate sometimes, etc. You may even get lucky and hear something useful on it, although you'll have to endure endless tirades of utter crap about how Truck Driver A was a Green SEAL in the Navy Recon Rangers and how he's going to kick Driver B's ### into next week (spoiler: they never follow through), home basers, the occasional dope pusher, etc.

    Because 99.9% of the chatter on it is complete and utter crap.

    What I suggest... buy the most basic, stripped down model... say, a Cobra 25 or 29 (the latter has a larger case, but they're exactly the same internally)... use it when you need it. I bought an expensive Connex 3300HP with a five pill kicker (the latter of which, I haven't been able to hook up in years)... it's kinda fun in western states hitting the skip, but it's obnoxious as hell when someone uses it just to talk across a truck stop parking lot.. you don't need all that crap... if I could turn back time, I might've bought the radio itself (it's a fine radio), but I wouldn't let myself go overboard like I did... simple radio, simple Firestick antenna, 18 ft. coax... that'll do what you need it to when you need it to.

    I found a CB more useful in the construction industry than I did OTR, to be honest. Then again, we didn't run on 19, and the things we said were actually pertinent, and not a bunch of grab assing.
     
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  4. Automan2012

    Automan2012 Bobtail Member

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    Oct 23, 2012
    Virginia Beach,VA
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    They would be more useful if fewer drivers used them to do nothing but piss and moan about other drivers.

    They are useful as a super trucker alert system. Those idiots will pull dangerous stunts just to show how much better they are and they love to talk on the CB before they do it. I had some JB Hunt driver a few weeks ago that decided to trap me on an on-ramp because he didn't think I was accelerating fast enough. His constant jabbering on the CB kept me alert to any crap he might pull.

    I would suggest holding out and trying to find a good deal on one. I got a 29lx chrome for $70 because a Pilot I stopped at was trying to get rid of them before they had to audit the store. Not really a fan of the chrome finish but you cant see it when its installed.
     
  5. 1johnb

    1johnb Medium Load Member

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    Jun 13, 2012
    New Paris Ohio
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    I know that you won't get past the scales at Steel Dynamics in Pittsboro Indiana without one. The witch will send you to right back out to the Love's to buy one. NO EXCEPTIONS.

    The aggravating thing is most don't have it on until you hear. Hey what lane do I need to get past the wreck. About 8/10 times.
     
  6. Diesel Blood

    Diesel Blood Bobtail Member

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    May 21, 2015
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    I would recommend that you buy an inexpensive CB. It is a tool that can be useful.
     
  7. 6daysontheroad

    6daysontheroad Medium Load Member

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    Dec 15, 2012
    North of the Rio Grande
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    Break one nine Can I get a radio check? Lol
     
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