Who Uses CB Radios?

[olds]

I am thinking of putting one in my motorhome.
When I was younger, I remember a style where the controls were built into the microphone. Do they still make these? What should I look for in one?

 

[KingNothing]

The one my dad used to have in his oldsmobile just had a push-to-talk button on the mic. Don't know what you mean by "all the controls built into the microphone". Seems like it would be awkward to put anything else on there.

I think having an external antenna (or the ability to use your regular radio antenna) would be great for increasing your range.

 

[Eli]

Truckers?

 

[olds]

Originally posted by: KingNothing
The one my dad used to have in his oldsmobile just had a push-to-talk button on the mic. Don't know what you mean by "all the controls built into the microphone". Seems like it would be awkward to put anything else on there.

I think having an external antenna (or the ability to use your regular radio antenna) would be great for increasing your range.

You can change channels, squelch, etc from the mic.

 

[olds]

Originally posted by: Eli
Truckers?

Really? Who da thunk it?
I meant practical experience from folks here.

 

[shimsham]

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat
I am thinking of putting one in my motorhome.
When I was younger, I remember a style where the controls were built into the microphone. Do they still make these? What should I look for in one?

ya, my parents had one for traveling on summer trips with two cars. my dad had a true cb in his car, with the traditional mic, box, and ant. my mother used the handheld which was still a cb, but with very limited range, and IIRC channels.

get a real cb for your motorhome, since you never know when you will need the range.

i remember my dad picking up guys from california, washington state, ny. all these crazy far away places (to a kid). somthing about they had a linear ant. or something. long time ago, so im not for sure.

 

[jaydee]

I have one for my car for the long lonely trips to school and back. The external antenna is a must unless your talking to someone right next to you isn't it?

 

[olds]

Originally posted by: jaydee
I have one for my car for the long lonely trips to school and back. The external antenna is a must unless your talking to someone right next to you isn't it?

Definitely. I tried a handheld last year and without the external antenna it was worthless for any distance over a couple 100 yards.

 

[sharkeeper]

Using a CB transceiver without an antenna can destroy the trasmitter output transistors!

Cheers!

 

[Freejack2]

The people who use them these days are mostly truckers. A few people who drive a "4 wheeler" for a living like my self also have them. I don't how it is in California but in the northeast the drivers don't talk a whole lot. It's rare to hear any good conversation on it. You'll want an external antenna, I like the K40's myself.
Also get your cb tuned and peaked. Peaking isn't technically legal but the fcc doesn't enforce it anymore. Also make sure to have your antenna tuned (swr meter).

I find XM radio to be more interesting and useful than a cb is these days.

 

[Zebo]

I think cell phones took thier place But why? Your on vacation in a motorhome..Isure as hell would'nt want to chat with strange people who spit tobacco.

 

[EyeMWing]

They are essential for long-range travel on highways.
Truckers are constantly calling out speed traps, disabled vehicles on the shoulder, patrol cars, stupid idiot drivers, etc.

I have one in my van, but the microphone is busted. Do NOT tap your normal radio antenna if you value your FM reception.

 

[GeekDrew]

Originally posted by: EyeMWing
They are essential for long-range travel on highways. Truckers are constantly calling out speed traps, disabled vehicles on the shoulder, patrol cars, stupid idiot drivers, etc. I have one in my van, but the microphone is busted. Do NOT tap your normal radio antenna if you value your FM reception.

I have one that I had in my F-250... And then I put it in my explorer, when I stopped driving the F-250. I need to buy a good antenna and get it tuned for the explorer... all I used this past summer when I was driving was a portable antenna that sucked. I could still hear the truckers near me though. Didn't want to try transmitting, was afraid I'd blow up the transcievers. I took it out a couple of weeks ago, just temporarily. I make sure that I have a CB if I'm doing any amount of driving above like 80 miles... and I like to *always* have one.

Anyone know of any shops in central Ohio that can tune and peak a CB system in central Ohio? I've read manuals on how to do it, but for the life of me, I must be reading the instructions backwards cause I've yet to do it correctly.

I know that one of my coworkers shares the same opinion... he has a suburban that he only drives when he's towing his camping trailer, and that's normally in a convoy of friends going to the same place. He said that everyone that goes with them has a CB so that they can communicate to emergencies, just chat, etc.

 

[olds]

Originally posted by: EyeMWing
They are essential for long-range travel on highways.
Truckers are constantly calling out speed traps, disabled vehicles on the shoulder, patrol cars, stupid idiot drivers, etc.

I have one in my van, but the microphone is busted. Do NOT tap your normal radio antenna if you value your FM reception.

Bingo!
The truckers are constantly talking about speed traps, accidents, traffic tie ups, etc...

 

[aircooled]

10-4 roger that.

Yeah, truckers still use it, but other means of communication are taking over..

 

[grillmasterP]

Yup- People still use them-
Avid Off-roaders still depend on them- (range of FRS is limited - and sometimes you don't get signals with cell phones out in the woods)
also, you can lose valuable time with cell phones trying to dial another vehicle in your group (ie Look out for the ......!!!! as opposed to
123-123-4444..ring...ring...hello....look out for the.....too late)
Its also more helpful on road trips - can listen to traffic updates/conditions ahead of you)

The Cobra 75 wx st might be what you are thinking of, controls are built into the mic.
Most of the Cobra, midland, even radio shack CB's will do the job.

Don't skimp on the antenna!

 

[grillmasterP]

oops, double post

 

[Freejack2]

In the northeast they don't really report speed traps, or much of anything else. On occasion in a traffic jam they'll mention that but not much conversation on the cb anymore.

 

[GeekDrew]

Originally posted by: Freejack2
In the northeast they don't really report speed traps, or much of anything else. On occasion in a traffic jam they'll mention that but not much conversation on the cb anymore.

Where at in the northeast?

 

[Freejack2]

Originally posted by: GeekDrew

Originally posted by: Freejack2
In the northeast they don't really report speed traps, or much of anything else. On occasion in a traffic jam they'll mention that but not much conversation on the cb anymore.

Where at in the northeast?

NY, CT, MA

 

[GeekDrew]

Originally posted by: Freejack2

Originally posted by: GeekDrew

Originally posted by: Freejack2 In the northeast they don't really report speed traps, or much of anything else. On occasion in a traffic jam they'll mention that but not much conversation on the cb anymore.

Where at in the northeast?

NY, CT, MA

Ah, OK. I'm more in the OH, WV, KY, TN, IN, IL area.

 

[jaydee]

Originally posted by: Freejack2

Originally posted by: GeekDrew

Originally posted by: Freejack2
In the northeast they don't really report speed traps, or much of anything else. On occasion in a traffic jam they'll mention that but not much conversation on the cb anymore.

Where at in the northeast?

NY, CT, MA

NY thruway and I-390, I-86, I-88 it's fairly useful (I've gone between Rochester and Albany). I've avoided a few cops through there.

 

[iamwiz82]

you are looking for the Cobra 75wx st. I use a cheap radio with an above average antenna and am happy with the performance.

 

[mugs]

My grandmother used to have one on her Chevette. Her handle was "bluebird" or something like that.

Edit: Do they make good antennas that don't stick up about 4 feet off the top of the car?

 

[minendo]

I've got one in my car for when I make long trips. Great way to find out where the cops are hiding trying to catch speeders.