CB, a dying truck driver tool, what y'all think??

Bought it used in Iowa, then had it done up by Dave (DTB for those not in the know) and it has a phenomenal receive. I can't complain, despite how much some people like to bash late 148s. It could be a little stronger on TX, both my DX 939 and 29LX show it up in that department, but one of these days I'll figure out a good place to stash a KL 203 where they won't find it...

 

CB's can be very useful. While they don't have the great popularity of years past, I wouldn't drive a truck without one. I usually keep my squelch at the point where I can at least here the folks close by. But in bad weather the Satellite radio is off and I am intently listening to the CB for any possible problems.

 

Here in Montreal, channel 19 has definitely become very quiet since about 2011.

The reasons given include the increase of GPS usage, cellphones, transport companies' over-reactive restrictions against distracted driving, younger drivers' apathy toward "old technology", language barriers, heckling, etc.

In spite of all that, the bottom line is that CB radio will continue to be essential for emergencies, traffic and road condition reports, and--yes--good old conversation. Never mind the bad guys. Ignore them. They eventually fade out of range, anyway.

From my base station I am glad to assist out-of-town drivers who cannot read the French signs, who may have been given outdated directions by their dispatchers, who may not know the correct exit numbers or which bridges or tunnels to take or to avoid, or drivers who are unaware of the latest roadwork areas and detours--vital information which GPS cannot always be relied upon to provide.

American drivers in particular may not even be aware that their existing GPS map software may NOT include Canadian routes--a situation easily remedied by accessing their provider's online upgrades to an inclusive North American package.

Furthermore, Google maps and other relevant websites have become an enormous asset for me on my base station in locating drivers' destinations, their clients' phone numbers, and so on.

Silence may be golden, but CB radio is and will continue to be a valuable tool. Use it.

 

360 also from Mtl waving a hand!
This is what i do to when ever i see a US or other canadian provinces truck lost somewhere or in a place he shouldn't be i always inquire as if the driver needs help or direction.
I had lot's of help from base stations or truckers in the past down south US too!!!

 

Thanks for the hand-wave, Oug.

Since about 2011, channel 19 is much quieter due to a few factors such as GPS, cellphones, and "distracted driver syndrome"--the fear of losing concentration while driving. I imagine the truck driving schools now focus on this as well.

Furthermore, some drivers out of western Canada prefer to use their employers' assigned VHF frequencies as well as the LAD channels when leaving their designated territories, although they should be aware that they might cause interference to licenced users when doing this.

The upside to channel 19 being less crowded is that I now hear fewer nasty comments and complainers during traffic jams, road-work slowdowns, etc.

By the way, out-of-town drivers reading this should be aware that they can monitor AM radio CJAD 800 for announcements every 15 minutes regarding traffic, roadwork locations, bridge conditions, and so on.

Drive safely, folks!

 

There is room up there overhead! Not too hard to get to either.

I've got all the stuff to put up a base, just haven't got around to it. I've about decided I need a beam antenna, so I need to come up with a rotor now. I'd planned to set it up in my shop so when I'm out there messing around I can help other drivers with directions. There aren't too many other folks around to visit with other that shooting a little skip now and then. Here is what I've got when I get to it. (Of course the Cobra 25 will be my base on CB.....I plan on getting my ham ticket thus the Icom.....)

 

Mine is on and has saved my bacon more than a few times. It's a must have in bad weather and good to have in a traffic back up. I always give bear reports and respond to radio checks.

A local guy saved me hours. In a long backup caused by an accident, he kept on his radio advising of an way around. I followed his detour, amazed by how few trucks were using it and when I got back to the interstate there were no trucks for many miles...

I was going through a big city climbing a hill in the granny lane when the CB crackled to life; " east bound crash at the top of the hill blocking right lanes!!!, big trucks use the hammer lane!". I move easily to the hammer lane and sure enough all but that lane blocked by a couple of trucks tangled up.

If you don't want to use a CB, don't. I will.

 

I was at the Pilot in Billings last week and had to listen to the frustration of the pilot cars that were trying to escort a 23' wide load out of the truck stop and back onto the interstate. Trucks either did not have their radio on or did not have one. Guess they are just going to have to start blocking the trucks like they do 4 wheelers.

Then on the other end of the spectrum, I was in Post Falls Loves Friday and some donkey's behind came on the radio making all kinds of screwed up noises that was very annoying. Thought of calling the cast from Deliverance to come over and have him make some more funny noises.

We run company radios and I also run a CB that I put into my truck.

 

Is cb a dying truck driver tool? Not in my part of the industry. I pull a dump bucket, and a cb is still a must have. Not only are they used for traffic and bear reports, directions, etc. They are used while loading and unloading in plants, and construction sites, coal mines, calling out your location on haul roads, and those skinny highways with heavy truck traffic, and the list goes on. They were pretty handy when I hauled logs, and pulled a flat too, for pretty much the same reasons. There are instances where not having a radio, could make for a real bad day. There's no way I could work without one.

 

Any two-way radio is Instant Communication,,,,you can not get that anywhere else, with anything else, unless you dial someone on the phone, and I don't have everyone's phone number.
When the Cell towers go down, the two-way radio will still be in service and those without it, will be wishing they had one. The traffic apps' are good but not near as good as a two-way radio. To me, even though I have to listen to rude, disrespectful people on the CB sometimes, I would never give it up. I will just turn the RF down all the way and/or volume until I get down the road a few miles.

I even had a guy in a pickup truck save my bacon a few years back. I had made a wrong turn, actually I turned before I should have to get into a Pilot and the 4 Wheeler knew exactly what I did and led me around the block and back to the entrance of the pilot. I was in FL years ago and a 4 wheeler got on the CB with me and gave me some information about where I could park locally to have better scenery, as I was parked at abandoned gas station.

How many of you running down the road without a CB would have loved to know that your trailer lights are out, indicator's aren't working, inside-rear tire is blown or that your side box is open. The list goes on but you tell me,,,how are you going to know this information with an app???