I should firstly admit that I am not a professional driver. I have, though recently taken on a lengthy (to me anyway) daily commute, so I am appreciating much more the professional drivers I come across.
My question, and the reason for joining the forum, is whether drivers today still use CB radios, as I was considering buying one. As most of my journey is on single carriageway roads, with accidents, roadworks, bad weather, etc. I can see the sense in sharing knowledge about all of these to help yourself and your fellow traveller.
I do see quite a few trucks with aerials, but wondered if the same CB community existed as it did probably 25 years ago.
in my opinion its no where near as popular as 25 years ago,its very rare you get warned of any accidents or obstructions you are traveling towards unless you see someone you know of course…
Welcome to the forum Ivan, makes a change for a “normal” driver (I say that coz you yourself admit to not being a professional driver ) to take an active interest rather than just slagging everyone off.
What route are you taking regular, someone may know a few short cuts to help you on your way.
You’ll probably find the CB scene is not as it was , too many ■■■■■■■■■ and to many playing music has killed it off. plus its a bit of a grey area legally regarding hand held mikes
toowise:
Welcome to the forum Ivan, makes a change for a “normal” driver (I say that coz you yourself admit to not being a professional driver ) to take an active interest rather than just slagging everyone off.
What route are you taking regular, someone may know a few short cuts to help you on your way.
You’ll probably find the CB scene is not as it was , too many [zb] and to many playing music has killed it off. plus its a bit of a grey area legally regarding hand held mikes
No grey area,hand held mikes are legal to use. Mobile phones are not as we all know.I’ve just started taking my CB after a few years on the quiet side.Dead as a dodo most of the time,but there are some breakers about.
toowise:
Welcome to the forum Ivan, makes a change for a “normal” driver (I say that coz you yourself admit to not being a professional driver ) to take an active interest rather than just slagging everyone off.
What route are you taking regular, someone may know a few short cuts to help you on your way.
You’ll probably find the CB scene is not as it was , too many [zb] and to many playing music has killed it off. plus its a bit of a grey area legally regarding hand held mikes
Thanks to you all for your replies. It’s nice to see such a vibrant community online - quite an interesting insight.
My daily trip is from Deeside in North Wales via the A483 and A5 to Newtown, Powys. I wondered about CBs after being stuck in queues after accidents on the single carriageway sections. I was able to turn around and re-route, but then passed so many trucks (some with aerials) for whom it was too late and who I could have warned in advance. That as well as advance warning of tractors and caravans. Might also possibly help in (safely) overtaking trucks - the risks I’ve seen people take has opened my eyes!
If you want traffic and weather info just buy a TomTom Live. They work very well, but may be a bit extravagant if your just doing the same run every day though
switchlogic:
If you want traffic and weather info just buy a TomTom Live. They work very well, but may be a bit extravagant if your just doing the same run every day though
i agree, the days of cb radio’s are dead. waste of time.
toowise:
Welcome to the forum Ivan, makes a change for a “normal” driver (I say that coz you yourself admit to not being a professional driver ) to take an active interest rather than just slagging everyone off.
What route are you taking regular, someone may know a few short cuts to help you on your way.
You’ll probably find the CB scene is not as it was , too many [zb] and to many playing music has killed it off. plus its a bit of a grey area legally regarding hand held mikes
No grey area,hand held mikes are legal to use. Mobile phones are not as we all know.I’ve just started taking my CB after a few years on the quiet side.Dead as a dodo most of the time,but there are some breakers about.
Hand held mike’s are not legal to use,my cousin was fined for using a CB radio about five years ago whilst driving and chatting with another driver.The same rules apply as using a mobile phone.
If you flick around the channels in different area’s there are usually a few drivers on CB.
If you are travelling down the A483 towards the Newtown area,there are usually timber artics around,also tippers that still use CB.
My handle ‘Tigga’ always on and every now and then get some good old convoys going to for instance me ‘Tank’ and 2 others with no handles from m42 through to m54 was good I just wish people with cb’s would switch them on all the time and on WEEKENDS i’d of saved those of you on that m5 on saturday some heartache. As i see it most drivers have them for running with mates or to ask what the hold up is then switch it off sad really but i enjoy getting someone on and finding out about them and stopping for a quick coffee
Anyways tomorrow my route if anyone see’s me 6.30am Leave rugby m1 to sheffield for a hour stop to load then m1 a1 a66 m6 m74 m8 a720 a1 sleep
EDIT: Anyone got a fm/am/ssb for sale? just looked on ebay and not much on there wirth looking at.
Dave the Renegade.
Hand mikes ARE legal, if he was done under the “Mobile Phone” law, that was wrong HOWEVER he could be done under “Driving without due care and attention” which is a catch-all and hard to disprove.
Hand held radios (I believe) DO come under the scope of the “Mobile Phone” law.
All the same when I’m out /M I keep the mike low down and if need be I throw the mike down so I’ve got both hands working the car.
In the Ham press someone said don’t tempt fate and only use the radio when stationary with the engine off and keys out of the ignition, that way Plod cannot touch you.
) to take an active interest rather than just slagging everyone off.
It’s nice to see such a vibrant community online - quite an interesting insight.
sad really but i enjoy getting someone on and finding out about them and stopping for a quick coffee