CB Anymore?

Hi all, Back in the day we used to enjoy listening and conversing with the trucker community on long road trips. At that time we had a Cobra 29 XLR hung above in the custom van but have long ago moved on to normal vehicles. We are headed to Florida from Iowa this week and in hopes of recreating the CB fun bought a used hand held Cobra CB so far I haven't got it to produce on it's own and am considering stopping at a Loves and getting it checked out. As I see it the bayonet rubber ducky antenna is pry useless. I tried to raise a radio check right next to several rigs the other day and nothing. I figure I will need to put a magnetic antenna on the car roof and get a adaptor from bayonet to screw. But here's my real concern, are you truckers still using CB band for OTR communication? I see there is a new player using cell phones with CB apps, is that a popular thing now? I downloaded CB Radio Chat from Midland, it appears to be functional but no signs of trucker life from it that I can see. It appears to be a early release in Europe mostly. So are you guys still ratchet jawing on CB or not (sorry couldn't help it!)

I have always had a CB, and it's ON every day. Sadly, I'd bet not even 30% of the trucks on the road today neither have one installed, nor use it. It's a highly useful tool.

I'm not in a truck yet but I'm spending the ink (that Brett underwrites) in support of radios in rigs. Y'all can speak, and have, to the benefits. A ham I am and I'm planning for a CB and yet to be selected other gear for portable ops.

I'll import here a perpetually recurring thread from the ham community - namely, call out on those so-called "dead bands" instead of listening and complaining.

So often, changing the culture starts with a single individual, a simple action.

It's sad that so few truckers use a CB anymore. It's a vital tool that I won't go without. Mine is always on.

I keep mine on in scan mode but its surprising how little you hear anything. Sometimes I can go an entire day without picking up anything at all. It has come in handy a couple times to avoid accidents that turned the highway into a parking lot but like others have mentioned, not many trucks even have them installed anymore. Thanks cell phones and radio stations!!!!

Hi all, Back in the day we used to enjoy listening and conversing with the trucker community on long road trips. At that time we had a Cobra 29 XLR hung above in the custom van but have long ago moved on to normal vehicles. We are headed to Florida from Iowa this week and in hopes of recreating the CB fun bought a used hand held Cobra CB so far I haven't got it to produce on it's own and am considering stopping at a Loves and getting it checked out. As I see it the bayonet rubber ducky antenna is pry useless. I tried to raise a radio check right next to several rigs the other day and nothing. I figure I will need to put a magnetic antenna on the car roof and get a adaptor from bayonet to screw. But here's my real concern, are you truckers still using CB band for OTR communication? I see there is a new player using cell phones with CB apps, is that a popular thing now? I downloaded CB Radio Chat from Midland, it appears to be functional but no signs of trucker life from it that I can see. It appears to be a early release in Europe mostly. So are you guys still ratchet jawing on CB or not (sorry couldn't help it!)

Back in 1981 I was at a little listening post in Germany and picked up a couple 4watt CB's coming out of Boston, MA.

Made my day.

So don't think that they are not useful anymore. Pick one up and get a channel to monitor and select Ch 19 for all the other times. If it saves you just once it's worth the purchase price.

As others have mentioned, the CB chatter is definitely sparse. Might want to consider something like a ham radio. Might not just get truckers, but the community seems more active.

Mine stays on also, and has helped a few times with traffic and parking spots.

Mine is on and I hear others occasionally, but doesn't transmit.

You won't find CB repair shops at any Loves or Flying J/Pilots. I've been looking to get mine repaired. Not many shops anywhere. :-(

Laura

I keep my ears on but don't hear much but trash talk at truck stops. Every now and then they say something relevant but not often. Still waiting to hear Big Booty Judy in Chicago hehe.