Who Still Uses CB's?

"Deputy Kovacs" (grandbudapest)
11/23/2013 at 02:58 • Filed to: None

Just a general question to the entirety of oppo, or those who want to weigh in. I'm looking at buying a CB radio for my RR Sport, since I do a fair amount of high speed highway cruising. I have a V1 and Escort Laser Shifter's but I think a CB is the next step. My questions being, how many four wheelers are still using CB's regularly? How helpful is it to have? Does the typical CB lingo apply in today's world?

DISCUSSION (15)

JalopJeep > Deputy Kovacs
11/23/2013 at 03:26

Go for it. I've got a simple, cheap Cobra CB/PA setup. Sometimes entertaining on long, boring drives. I've used it to get an idea of what's going on up ahead in traffic from truckers. The trucker traffic isn't what it used to be, for sure. Also a blast to use when cruising with buddies, and SUPER useful when off-road. Many off-road clubs even require them.

offroadkarter > Deputy Kovacs
11/23/2013 at 04:21

Truckers still use CH19 for chatting to each other. I have a cobra 75 in the bronco that I use on the trail and I've used on the highway. I am going to mount my spare box in the marauder and get a magnet whip for the trunk for road trips.

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > Deputy Kovacs
11/23/2013 at 08:03

I have CB in my truck for when I'm on the trail. It's not a requirement for my Land Rover club, but it's highly suggested.

Busslayer > Deputy Kovacs
11/23/2013 at 09:03

I have one. I use it for road trips and off road in case of emergency in remote areas. A few times I've gotten alerted to upcoming radar traps. I also found it helpful when deciding what exit to use in an unfamiliar area. The truckers can usually tell you what exit has the best truck stop facilities.

I don't have mine permanently mounted. I use a suction cup mount and suspend it from the windshield. I wired it to a cigarette lighter plug and use a magnetic antenna. That way I don't have to have it with me all the time.

Dingers Ghost, Champion Jockey > Deputy Kovacs
11/23/2013 at 09:14

I have one in my truck. Cobra 29 LTD (with broken Nightwatch grrr). I don't do much talking on it but I usually have it on to listen.

. . > Deputy Kovacs
11/23/2013 at 09:45

Kinja'd!!!

I use a President Walker. It's a decent radio, but automatic squelch isn't brilliant. I heard it was improved in later models though.

VincentMalamute-Kim > Busslayer
11/23/2013 at 10:21

The magnetic mounts don't hold over 100 mph or so, I found out the hard way.

I too, have found it useful on road trips in addition to the V1 to get alerts on radar traps.

Birddog > Deputy Kovacs
11/23/2013 at 11:55

I'm on the search for one, i have to wait till after Xmas though.
Right now I'm really liking the Cobra 29 LTD with Blootooth but I also like SSB and Wx so I may go with a Bearcat.

Deputy Kovacs > VincentMalamute-Kim
11/24/2013 at 01:03

Which magnetic mount were you using? I'm looking at the Cobra handheld w/ the magnetic mount. I'm frequently traveling at 105-115 for 30 min plus bursts, so I definitely can't have it falling off. Do you think a quick duct tape fix would do any help?

911e46z06 > Deputy Kovacs
11/24/2013 at 02:33

I did until recently. I used to road trip a lot, and I would always have my CB in for entertainment/police avoidance purposes. Haven't done a huge road trip in a while though.

Deputy Kovacs > 911e46z06
11/24/2013 at 03:09

Did you have an antenna? Magnetic mount? If so, at what speeds did or would you think the magnetic mount antennas would fall off at?

VincentMalamute-Kim > Deputy Kovacs
11/24/2013 at 11:06

I was using Radio Shack. I had it centered on the roof as recommended for maximum signal strength. After it fell off and was flopping around at 100 mph, I moved it to the trunk lid with the cable routed through the forward edge of the trunk. With the magnet, less wind force, being trapped and held by the extremely short cable in that position, it worked up to 130 mph+ on the Ohio Turnpike :)

If you kept it on the roof and only held by the magnet, I bet duct tape wouldn't help. It's a LOT of force at speed. Remember drag going up exponentially with speed.

911e46z06 > Deputy Kovacs
11/24/2013 at 17:01

Yeah, I had a magnetic mount. It was solid. I went up over 100 with it with no problems. Kinda short and stocky though, so I didn't have great range. Wish I could remember the brand.

After that I went to a shark-fin, which didn't work near as well.

911e46z06 > Deputy Kovacs
11/24/2013 at 17:01

Yeah, I had a magnetic mount. It was solid. I went up over 100 with it with no problems. Kinda short and stocky though, so I didn't have great range. Wish I could remember the brand.

After that I went to a shark-fin, which didn't work near as well.

ninequattroquattro > Deputy Kovacs
11/25/2013 at 16:16

Truckers and four wheelers for sure. It is great to have for short communication, getting info on the move, and for the entertainment aspect. Who needs the radio when you can listen to crazy truckers?

I have one in my Jeep, and it is a hybrid Midland unit that can be run portable if I need to move it to another vehicle.

Also, zombie apocalypse!