first time cb

thanks.

I should have been more clear, but it wasn't a money thing. I was just thinking if I don't need the range I was thinking it would be less junk on the truck.

I guess what I'm really wondering is, Is it considered unwise to drive with the cb off?

 

I would definitely get one. I doesn't have to be fancy or even new. Just make sure it works. I have mine on but I will turn it down or the squelch up to filter out the noise. Around big cities it can be annoying with some of the b.s. On it. But out of town it could save you from a back up or accident. Plus you occasionally will have a good conversation with another driver to help pass the time.

 

A radio is worth having. When the weather is crap, or the road is under construction, or theres a wreck it is real valuable. Not to mention if another driver can make you aware of a problem with your truck, or vise versa. Ive got directions into shippers a couple of times too. Dont get me wrong, the majority of noise on it is pure bs. Some of it is amusing, but alot of it is just stupidity. The pros far outway the cons though imho. And you can just turn it off for ten miles when the #### gets too deep.

 

I agree that it's worth having, and I think it's better to have it on, but, at the same time, there's a lot of trash on the radio, and I find it really hard to blame someone for preferring not to have it on at all times. There are places where you won't do a whole lot with it. Rural areas are typically much quieter, especially in these western states. It's been helpful to me sometimes, frustrating at others, and I did strike a couple good deals from drivers selling stuff at truck stops, and there were customers who called trucks on the CB when it was time to load or unload. I have a fancy radio that I bought years ago... Connex 3300HP... on my last OTR stint, if I didn't have that one, I'd have bought a radio, but I'd just gotten a plain jane, no frills radio.

 

Get one that is not a hand held so that you can have it on when you're driving and having information may help you. You won't have to worry about batteries, you won't fumble with it in your hand while driving if you need weather help etc., and if you only want to use it at a shippers you can leave it off till you get there.

This one is similar in price to a handheld.

http://www.amazon.com/Cobra-29-LX-4...ie=UTF8&qid=1389211558&sr=1-10&keywords=cobra

Having it mounted in cab will be better/safer for you in the long run.

 

I run with a Garmin 465 T. When I show a traffic delay, I make sure that I turn on the CB. That way I can decide whether to take a detour. Also, I like to help other truckers out. Guys from New York sometimes can't find places out in the boonies where I am from. Some shippers like you to have them so they can call you when they have a dock open. All in all it is just one more tool to make you a better driver. It is less important now because of cell phones but it still can come in handy.

Just don't ever use the phrase "Good Buddy" until you know what it means.

 

I appreciate the the answers to my question about is a cb worth having.

The consensus seems that it is worth having, and I will defer to you guys. If I can get good info or help others I'm all over it. Some loser trying to build himself up with his own BS story, or the anonymous tough guys puffing up, well, I could do these idiots - which is why I asked.

Thanks again.

 

Hi, can I ask? what is CB?

 

Something drivers use to tell other drivers they have there wife in there cab.

 

I got stopped at a chicken coup during my training for an inspection. Not sure what level. But the officer there was cute and we struck up a nice conversation. Her dad was a truckers and she thought a CB was an essential tool to have since there are still areas of the countrt where your cell phone won't work. I've had mine for a few months so far and I'll never run without one again. It's helped me in a number of ways with road conditions, smokey reports, and other valuable info. And sometimes you can or do have a good conversation with another driver. Today for instance, I heard two drivers comparing the governers on their trucks as they went down the highway. They were having a great conversation about "racing" each other down the highway and I couldn't help but laugh. So sometimes it can worth leaving it on. You never know.

MS