SS Slacker wrote: We use ours often as the other people we travel with have them too and they work well. Better than trying to coordinate 2-way radio's in our opinion. The primary reason I keep ours on is that we are often passed by over the road trucks. Much more so than being passed by other RV'rs. So if I have a problem that I am unaware of, like a strap coming loose on my boat cover, or something else...they can call me on the CB to warn me. Has happened before and was very helpful.
I guess I have been lucky in that we don't hear much bad language or anything. If we do come across someone talking trash on the CB, I just turn it down for a little bit and they are typically out of range within minutes. I keep the adjustment down to where I only get reception at a fairly close distance. I don't need to monitor info miles away unless we get caught in traffic or something like that.
I don't know if you guys are reading all the posts. I started this topic and have given up on channel 13 as an RV channel. Just use channel 19, and say "hello" to a fellow RVer you see.
When you walk around the campgrounds, don't you say "hello" to your fellow campers? You're just start earlier on the road.
SS Slacker wrote: We use ours often as the other people we travel with have them too and they work well. Better than trying to coordinate 2-way radio's in our opinion. The primary reason I keep ours on is that we are often passed by over the road trucks. Much more so than being passed by other RV'rs. So if I have a problem that I am unaware of, like a strap coming loose on my boat cover, or something else...they can call me on the CB to warn me. Has happened before and was very helpful.
I guess I have been lucky in that we don't hear much bad language or anything. If we do come across someone talking trash on the CB, I just turn it down for a little bit and they are typically out of range within minutes. I keep the adjustment down to where I only get reception at a fairly close distance. I don't need to monitor info miles away unless we get caught in traffic or something like that.
CB radios are not two-way radios? I'm confused.
Yes, I realize that. Some say they just use 2 way radio's rather than CB's. I am saying that I find CBs better than 2-way radios.
Dan & Tracy
2 kids ages 4 and 6
2003 HR Neptune 36PBD
300 ISB Cummins/5-Speed
There are too many channels on the FSRs to make them practable for contacting anyone you don't know traveling down the hwy. At least with CBs, you have channel 19 as the main channel that most monitor. Forget CH13, I have and I started this topic.
Ahh yes, the old “Why don’t people use their CBs anymore” post.
Yes, I still have a CB installed in my coach, but frankly I don't bother to turn it on these days. My experience is that it’s still a great tool for truckers, but most of the “conversations” on channel 19 weren’t intended for me. Channel 13 was a just a great void with nobody usually home. Over the years I discovered that I'd much rather listen to clear, crisp digital music than trucker static and squelch during a long ride. More importantly the DW does too! The truth be known, I’ve actually been considering taking the CB out. But after reading the posts in this thread actually made me re-evaluate the whole CB argument again, and would I be better served just leaving it in place.
When I weigh the positive and negative aspects of keeping my CB installed I still conclude that the whole CB argument for RVs just doesn't make sense anymore. The space it occupies for the features it provides can be better used by updated equipment. I reason that between my Blackberry (for communication and information), plus my onboard GPS with traffic information service, and a PC with wireless aircard… what can a CB provide over those things? The answer I came up with is absolutely nothing. Now someone is sure to throw out the proverbial “bear alerts”, but I don’t do 30MPH over the posted speed limit anymore – and certainly not in my motor home!
Lastly, the vehicle to vehicle argument is as much a valid argument today as it was almost 40 years back. In fact someone above made a comment above about how a trucker raised him on his CB when a tire went flat on his 5er/trailer, actually saved him from major damage. But when you examine his example you see that he needed a trucker to spot the problem; luckily they were on the same CB channel in order to pass that information. I wonder how many people saw that bad tire, but didn’t have a CB – only a cell phone. Practically everyone has a cell phone these days.
Wouldn’t a better cause be for RVers to have a cell number posted *and* readable on their rigs for emergency contact? Seems that’s a far better solution using today’s modern technology vice convincing everyone that they still need buggy whips.
Bronco4me wrote: Wouldn’t a better cause be for RVers to have a cell number posted *and* readable on their rigs for emergency contact? Seems that’s a far better solution using today’s modern technology vice convincing everyone that they still need buggy whips.
I think I will pass on advertising my phone number on the highways and byways across the country. You might want to rethink this idea.
Tim
"Okay, I admit it, the only thing I'm really good at is being me."
Well, I believe a trucker will get on the CB quickly (Channel 19) to tell you about a problem they see. NOBODY will CALL you on a cell phone to tell you..just the way it works.
BTW...I would be more than happy to chat with any other RV'r on 13..just reach me on 19 first and then we can move to 13
I read everybody's post here. All 6 pages worth. I'm not trying to sound like a snob, but you guys should really look into Amateur radio (aka: ham radio).
If you have any questions about installing a CB, or antenna issues, look up a ham radio operator. In my truck, I run a ham radio and a CB. But, on CB, I don't talk on the regular AM channel. I use what's called "single side band" (SSB). With side band, during atmoshperic conditons, a "CB" can communicate across the country. But, that's another story and not specific for this post.
For all of you RVers, may I suggest you go take a basic ham radio class and get your "Technician" license. It will permit you to use a ham radio, which uses "FM" modulation instead of "AM" modulation.
Some benefits of ham vs. CB are:
1) With some very minor exceptions, your basic mobile ham radio is FM, which means it's very quiet. In fact, it's silent until someone starts talking. Many "wives" like that fact better than CB. 2) FM ham radios work off of repeaters. The distance one can talk on a ham radio vs. a CB during everyday operations is night and day. 3) There are more ham radio operators using repeaters across the country, than there are CBers. One you pass your ham radio test, you can go buy one and get a "Repeater location Guide" for virtually anywhere in the country. As you begin your trek across country, you'll look in your guide to see what repeaters are used in your area. There are always ham's (name for fellow amateur radio operators) listening on repeaters most of the time.
There is a "National Simplex Frequency" for FM ham radio operation. It is 146.520 mHz. On the road from Mexico to Canada, every 25 miles or so one can almost always get someone to help you on 146.520.
Ham radio is the way to go when treking across country in an RV. Anyone that disagrees with this statement, doesn't know ham radio.
Lastly, if anyone needs help on installing an antenna, CB, or ham radio in their vehicle, just PM me and I'll be more than happy to give some pointers/advice.
Ham radio operators are definately NOT CBers...........
Bronco4me wrote: Wouldn’t a better cause be for RVers to have a cell number posted *and* readable on their rigs for emergency contact? Seems that’s a far better solution using today’s modern technology vice convincing everyone that they still need buggy whips.
I think I will pass on advertising my phone number on the highways and byways across the country. You might want to rethink this idea.
Why Beemer, are you that paranoid? I know people that have driven around for 30 some odd years with their names and phone numbers on magnetic signs plastered on the side of their vehicles. Their incidents of phone harassment (read crank calls) or crime wasn't any worse than someone that that didn't "advertise" information. The point was that the common cell phone has way more utility and is certainly more pedestrian than a CB. It makes more sense to exploit that fact rather than attempt to resurrect a dinosaur.
Now I didn't share this in my earlier post, but I already do this. I tack a sign in the driver's side bedroom window that has my emergency contact information on it. It's been there for three years now and I haven't had any crank calls, no Bogey men have attempted to abduct my family and my belongings are still intact. I suppose that the vast majority of people out there are still good.
But I submit that that everyone is different and my methods might not be the right choice for everyone.
Just my $.02,
*As a side benefit, I put that sign in the front window when we're out and about and the dog is left in the coach. We're just a phone call away...
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