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As I was reading this (see link below) thread the other night, I decided to check C-D to find out how many CB radio threads there were. Other than a few threads about CB users that weren't very neighborly, there weren't many references to CB radio on the forums.
So, I got to wondering, how many CDers are also CBers?
I've used CBs casually for many years, but hadn't done much with them for the past ten years or so. I just bought a new radio a couple weeks ago, and have listened in to some conversations, but haven't really tried to talk to anyone yet.
I know there are hobbyists who use base stations and good antennas to reach others across the country, or even across the oceans, when skip conditions are good.
There are others who simply use CBs for talking to truckers as they travel the interstate. This is a good way to find out about traffic and weather problems down the road.
My use has mostly been the latter in that I've talked mostly to truckers and other drivers while on the road, or I've talked to others in my 4x4 club while on the trail. I have some interest in pushing the limits of the radio and trying to see what it will do, but since it's a mobile unit, I don't expect the kind of performance that can be found with a base station.
My current radio is a Galaxy DX 979 Single Side Band radio connected to a Wilson Lil' Wil' antenna on my truck. I've tuned the antenna to the best signal I can get from it, and have an SWR of about 1.2 to 1.4 on all channels. I'm still trying to decide what I'll use for a handle.
Got a Cobra in my Jeep, but don't use it except when on the trail, or occasionally to talk to truckers when driving to/from a trail.
When I was a teenager, I had a Radio Shack mobile unit set up in my bedroom using a 12v power supply, and a cheap mobile antenna nailed to a tree outside. I'd monitor channel 9 while doing my homework. One time, I called the CHP for a guy that was about 30 miles away and had broken down on the freeway. He was amazed that we could hear each other being that far apart. I was, too, despite the fact that my location pretty much had line of sight to the entire Los Angeles basin.
I've been a ham radio operator for some time now, but I had a good time on CB back in the day. I still have three mobile units and four handhelds. I know a lot of hams are rather disdainful of CB, but I'm not.
Got a Cobra in my Jeep, but don't use it except when on the trail, or occasionally to talk to truckers when driving to/from a trail.
When I was a teenager, I had a Radio Shack mobile unit set up in my bedroom using a 12v power supply, and a cheap mobile antenna nailed to a tree outside. I'd monitor channel 9 while doing my homework. One time, I called the CHP for a guy that was about 30 miles away and had broken down on the freeway. He was amazed that we could hear each other being that far apart. I was, too, despite the fact that my location pretty much had line of sight to the entire Los Angeles basin.
If you don't mind me asking, what area were you in when you were there?
It's not nearly as busy as it was back in the day. It's mostly truckers now, with much of the old jargon discarded. At least that's how it is around DFW.
Since I put the radio in my truck a few weeks ago, I've also noticed that there isn't a whole lot of traffic on the airwaves compared to what I was used to about 20 years ago. Back then, hardly anyone had a cell phone, so that's probably what people are using now instead of CB radio.
There have been times that the airwaves were so quiet that I thought my brand new radio was already broken! It sure isn't like it used to be.
I've been dabbling back into CB again. I still have my old 23 channel radios but I invested in a new 4 channels handheld CB radio since all CB radios are allowed 4 watts anyway. I upgraded the antenna , installed a simple outside CB antenna all set to work with the handheld and I've not been disappointed. I can hear, and talk, as well as any other CB as long as I run the radio on line current and not batteries.
The power limitations, limited number of channels and unregulated content must have an effect on CB useage. I spoke with a guy who had base loaded HF antenna on his truck and he was telling me that a lot of people switch over from CBs to amature radio. There is so much more power, frequencies and communications infrastructure you can use. The licensing exam you need to get on the air is not that tough either.
The power limitations, limited number of channels and unregulated content must have an effect on CB useage. I spoke with a guy who had base loaded HF antenna on his truck and he was telling me that a lot of people switch over from CBs to amature radio. There is so much more power, frequencies and communications infrastructure you can use. The licensing exam you need to get on the air is not that tough either.
IMO the reason that CB is preferred by some folk's is cost. CB's and all the "stuff'" that goes with them is much cheaper than ham "stuff" ever is. CB radio is way, way , way less complicated to learn and use also when compared to Ham radio equipment.
I'm not saying that ham radio should be avoided. I'm just saying that be sure your interest level matches all that goes into Ham radio before you buy anything ham related.
Last edited by Grandpa Pipes; 02-20-2010 at 02:59 PM..
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