cb radios

[GreyWulf]

sorry I don't know how to start a new topic but here is my Question I noticed nobody talks about and I don't think Bob's ever said anything in his videos, why doesn't any of you have CB radios I noticed nobody ever talks about CB radio which is something I believe every rig should have,. any comments?

 

[tx2sturgis]

There have been a few threads about CB radio...you can look for the button that says New Topic or New Thread.

But most RVers are using FRS/GMRS when in small convoys.

 

[highdesertranger]

I started a new thread for you. in the future,
go to the appropriate sub forum.
on the left above the sub forum banner there's a box that says "start a new thread"
click on that and a new window will open, type in the box like you would do to reply, then hit post thread.

a few of us still have CB's me included. cell phones have pretty much killed CB's. a much better option are ham radios.
highdesertranger

 

[A Savage Adventure]

I noticed nobody talks about and I don't think Bob's ever said anything in his videos, why doesn't any of you have CB radios I noticed nobody ever talks about CB radio which is something I believe every rig should have

Ironically, after installing a dash cam and nav system in my rig, I went to buy a CB radio, even though I haven't used one in 20+ years. Then I saw a YouTube video from Panda Monium where she was part of a caravan and they were using those FRS / GMRS radios. 

The irony of this was that the last video I had seen from her was when she was installing a CB radio. So it seemed to me that she chose the handheld radio over the CB in the end and then it occurred to me that I had seen these used by others as well, but never a CB in any RV living video so far.

Here's the video where she discusses the "walkie-talkies": 

Here's the CB video: 

 

[B and C]

I put an old CB in my van with one of those sucky through the windshield antenna's because I have fiberglass. I have it mounted overhead on the headliner by the windshield. Very handy there and easily heard from anywhere in the van driving or camped. I can even hear it outside if I am not too far away. Fiberglass is not a good ground plane for a regular antenna. My range is less than a mile :-( I also carry the FRS/GMRS radios. I don't like to use them while driving as I don't have a good place to put it where I can hear it if not holding it in my hand.

I really like the CB when I get stuck in traffic as I can usually find out what is causing the delay so I can plan accordingly. It is also nice to have when camping somewhat near others so we can keep in touch without interrupting someone taking care of business

I still need to mount a weatherproof horn (speaker) under the van and run a wire to it. I have done this before and it is nice to be able to hear someone hailing you when you are a little ways away from the van. Also nice as a PA when there is a crowd.

 

[velojym]

CB can be great for some of the same reasons people aren't liking it now. Fewer people on the band, so great if you're with a group and want to be able to communicate without a bunch of interruptions, and almost everyone has an old CB in the basement, garage, storage, etc. Or.. can get a small uniden or midland cheap. My slip-seat rig is just a tiny Uniden with an external speaker strapped to it, and most trucks have 12v lugs on the dash just for that sort of thing.

I'm ok with FRS/GMRS, and they've loosened up a bit on the latter, which I believe is good.

I'm a tech-level ham, and have a 2m/70cm rig in my little car. I rarely use it these days, as I know nobody within range, and I'm not good at seeking out people... I'm with Bob on the introversion thing... but we have 3 truck stops within a few miles of here, so a CB can definitely come in handy.

 

[DannyB1954]

My perspective on this is there are two disadvantages with CB radios. One being technical the other social. The frequencies used for CB are fairly long. As a result they need to have a fairly long antennae to be efficient. Short hand held units do not transmit long distances. FRS / GMRS have a much shorter wavelength so a tiny antenna works well. The shorter frequencies go through vehicles much easier so you don't need an external antennae.

In urban areas there are a lot of jerks braking the law by using high powered amplifiers so that they can walk over anyone else trying to use the frequency. They often do this purposely to annoy others along with their use of profanity. Their goal seems to not be communicate with others but keep other people from communicating.

CB is still popular with highway use. It is generally used to talk to strangers whereas the FRS is used to talk to people in your own group. I don't think anyone monitors channel 9 on CB anymore. Before cell phones it was a way to get help if you had a breakdown. Radios have become much more popular over the years. They are called Cell Phones. I will probably put a CB in my van before I am finished with the build.

 

[A Savage Adventure]

Radios have become much more popular over the years. They are called Cell Phones.

Great for emergencies or to call friends and family. But for us on the road away from friend / family, you can just reach out and call a random stranger for help or try to let other traffic know about a potential hazard, etc. 

I am still considering adding a CB. I am waiting on a few things before I make any more changes to my truck. I already regret one add-on that, if I do what I want will have been a waste of money.

 

[tripper]

I love CBs, get some great conversations. They can have decent range in open areas, like the desert, when properly tuned.

 

[tx2sturgis]

cell phones have pretty much killed CB's.  a much better option are ham radios.

The internet also played a big role in the demise of base station CB'ers....Just about the same time as internet began to appear in the homes of most people, in the mid-90s, the base station CBs all but disappeared. 

In the decades before, you could always hear local base CBers yakking away on one channel or another...but that's just about gone. 

Of course when the 'skip is rolling', you can still hear the old school guys shooting 'DX'...