Author Topic: Why not a RV CB Channel? (Read 33833 times)

Clark Griswold · « **on:** June 20, 2011, 11:49:10 PM »

I did a quick search on the forum and noticed that most agree that CB channel 19 is best for gathering road conditions, etc but of course you have to 'filter' through the language. I'm also aware that channel 13 is used by Good Sam members and 9 is used as the universal emergency channel.

What seems like a reasonable thought to me is for RVers to have a universal CB channel. In that way you could contact a passing RV, communicate with fellow RVers in your group while travelling or in a campground, gather and pass information while in a campground such as during storms, etc. I am curious if I'm the only one who believes that there is nothing to be lost in suggesting such an idea? What are your thoughts?

Jim Dick · « **Reply #1 on:** June 21, 2011, 12:36:25 AM »

Mike,

I don't think Channel 13 is exclusive to Good Sam members. I'm sure you can use that channel to communicate with any RVer that happens to be on it. Personally, I don't use the CB anymore since it's too hard for me to understand what is being said. My wife usually does the interpreting. :-)

TimeToGetGoing · « **Reply #2 on:** June 21, 2011, 10:10:26 AM »

Jim,
I didn't quite get that...let me adjust my squelch.

tvman44 · « **Reply #3 on:** June 21, 2011, 10:22:07 AM »

Any one can use any channel they choose, it is just that GS chose to all use #13.

John From Detroit · « **Reply #4 on:** June 21, 2011, 11:34:38 AM »

There is one "Exclusive" CB channel, that is Channel 9, which is reserved for emergency/priority traffic only (Calls for assistance) The remaining 39 are first come first serve.

Truckers, by tradition (originally by mutual agreement) hang on Channel 19, which makes it the best palce to be if you are on the freeway..

Good Sam claimed 13 for RVers, not just Good Sammers but ll RVers, still kind of dead.

11 is often a "local calling" channel.

But save for Nine, they are all first come first serve.

Lou Schneider · « **Reply #5 on:** June 21, 2011, 12:11:35 PM »

There's a lot more trucks than RVs on the road, which is why CB works for truckers. Dedicated RV channels have been tried in the past, but there just isn't the user base to make a separate RV channel work.

Clark Griswold · « **Reply #6 on:** June 21, 2011, 12:20:27 PM »

Okay....I give. Obviously a 'traditional' RV channel is not meant to be. But it's all good information and I appreciate the feedback.

I started in CB about 1974ish and ended in HAM (before the days of no code requirement). I'm not an avid user of either CB or Ham now-a-days but it simply crossed my mind that it would be nice to have a channel that was away from the 'trash of CB' and somewhat likely to have a RV voice on the other end. Oh well......alls good.

taoshum · « **Reply #7 on:** June 21, 2011, 12:36:08 PM »

Pick one, say 21, then start writing letters to all the RV magazines suggesting that people try it. Put a sign on your RV saying that you monitor 21. It's the 21st century, it's a BJ winner, and it's legal to buy booze... easy to remember.

Pauls Toy Hauler · « **Reply #8 on:** June 21, 2011, 12:57:35 PM »

I have a cb on my truck and use it mostly only when traveling. I didn't know about the rv channel until now, but I think I'm gonna get on it today and see if I can contact any
fellow RV'ers

WhiteEagle · « **Reply #9 on:** June 21, 2011, 01:21:11 PM »

Have always had one in vechicles since 1974 but haven't had it on more than 2 or 3 times (in stopped traffic from accidents) for past several years because of the nasty language....Just for the heck of it, I'm going to start monitoring 13 ... why change something Good sam may have started ...

Clark Griswold · « **Reply #10 on:** June 21, 2011, 01:25:07 PM »

Quote from: WhiteEagle on June 21, 2011, 01:21:11 PM

Have always had one in vechicles since 1974 but haven't had it on more than 2 or 3 times (in stopped traffic from accidents) for past several years because of the nasty language....Just for the heck of it, I'm going to start monitoring 13 ... why change something Good sam may have started ...

I like your idea and I too believe that since Good Sam has started using 13 that it simply makes sense to build upon that base. I'm all for writing RV magazines, etc and seeing if there can't be a movement in that direction. I think it would better the entire RV community.

ArdraF · « **Reply #11 on:** June 21, 2011, 01:32:35 PM »

RV caravans, whether commercial or private, often pick one CB channel to communicate with one another. For example, when we went on the Copper Canyon train (no longer available for caravans) we had one channel on all the time so the wagonmaster could communicate what we were seeing, what to expect ahead, and when we were going to do what. When a small group of us travel together we do the same thing. When on the road we tune into Channel 19 if there's a traffic problem and we've also talked with truckers when we've noticed something about their rig that they might want to check. Although we don't use the CB often, we still like to have it on occasion.

ArdraF

mweber (KC9NPT) · « **Reply #12 on:** June 21, 2011, 05:13:14 PM »

I listen to 19 most of the time. Have had truckers notify me of hanging wires( toad electric cable disconnected), burned out bulbs, etc. Also let them know when they've cleared me when passing. If language gets bad, turn down volume, but usually don't have a problem.

Larry N. · « **Reply #13 on:** June 24, 2011, 07:42:15 AM »

Quote from: mweber (KC9NPT) on June 21, 2011, 05:13:14 PM

... Also let them know when they've cleared me when passing. ...

Flashing your headlights does that, since long before CB existed. Don't even have to pick up a mic...

Yellowboat · « **Reply #14 on:** September 05, 2011, 12:21:14 AM »

My father bought his first CB radio in the 50's to use in his construction business. He had CB radios put in all of his work trucks. Back then there was no one else on the air in Modesto, CA. They were very large radios with tubes. If I remember correctly some of the radios were six volts.

Jump forward to 2009. My wife and I traveled from Washington State to Southern California, turned left and headed for Washington DC. I have a CB walkie talkie that I tuned to channel 19. We traveled from Washington State to Southern California and I didn't hear a single call on the CB radio. It had been awhile since I used a CB and I was used to lots of traffic and skip. I decided that the CB walkie talkie no longer worked so I purchased another one. The new one finally picked up a trucker talking to another trucker. That is when I learned the cell phones had replaced the CB radio.

Tony_Alberta · « **Reply #15 on:** September 05, 2011, 01:59:13 AM »

Quote from: Yellowboat on September 05, 2011, 12:21:14 AM

Jump forward to 2009. .... It had been awhile since I used a CB and I was used to lots of traffic and skip.

Skip has been really bad this last five years or so due to the solar cycle being at a very long minimum in the 11 year cycle.

1joester2 · « **Reply #16 on:** September 05, 2011, 08:58:46 AM »

I normally monitor 19 while travelling and I hear a lot of chatter most of the time. I installed a small speaker near my left ear next to the seat belt loop so I can monitor without too much concern for "colorful" language being broadcast to the kids. The CB has been a great tool for accident avoidance especially on major routes like I-95. I find out about traffic conditions 20 or 30 miles in advance in most cases and have plenty of time to re-route off the highway and back on after the stoppage.

I didn't know about channel 13 being claimed by GS for RV use, but I will give it a go.

I have wondered for a few years now why RV'rs haven't claimed a channel on FRS. Seems those walkie talkie radios are everywhere and CB's not so much.

sundance3200 · « **Reply #17 on:** September 05, 2011, 09:38:54 AM »

We placed a sign in the lower left of our rig's back window stating that "Sundance" monitors channel 13. When getting close to town limits we switch to channel 19 to see if there is any problems.

geodrake · « **Reply #18 on:** September 05, 2011, 09:44:56 AM »

I can't figure out the language. I don't mean the swearing. I mean the English (?) dialect they use. It's like a hillbilly with marbles in his mouth. If that isn't enough, most truckers seem to have installed amplifiers between their microphone and the radio apparently thinking it will boost their signal, but all it does is distort it. Then they all try to play like "Convoy" talking about bears, mounties, and handles.

Go figure?

Pierat · « **Reply #19 on:** September 05, 2011, 09:50:52 AM »

Sundance, does that sign get you any calls?

1joester2 · « **Reply #20 on:** September 05, 2011, 09:54:32 AM »

Handle = Nickname you prefer to use
Bear = State Police
Mountie = County police

Example:
"You're OK back to the 20, there was a couple of bears in the middle."

Translated:
Road conditions are OK to mile marker 20 where there were a couple State police cars in the median.

HERE is a link to some of the lingo. Sounds weird at first, but it's easy to learn.

geodrake · « **Reply #21 on:** September 05, 2011, 09:57:51 AM »

I am aware of the meanings................... just don't understand the need for the code. Seems like children playing office or something.

1joester2 · « **Reply #22 on:** September 05, 2011, 10:11:51 AM »

I can only assume the lingo is a result of spending too much time alone in the cab of a truck driving who knows where and dealing with the hypnotic thumping of the highway multiplied by 5 axles unevenly spaced apart.

...sort of like Chinese water torture but you get an unregulated radio channel to play with.

Ned · « **Reply #23 on:** September 05, 2011, 10:29:02 AM »

It's just a form of elitism, wanting to feel special. Nothing wrong with elitism, usually, we all do it at some time.

JayT · « **Reply #24 on:** September 05, 2011, 10:44:16 AM »

Ned..... good point

John From Detroit · « **Reply #25 on:** September 05, 2011, 11:13:35 AM »

Channel 13 is the "Good Sam's" Channel.. it is one of two I monitor when driving (19 being the other)

Actually 19 is best as that is where truckers hang and they keep you advised of happenings. Also I have heard some states broadcasting recorded traffic warnings on 19 even though broadcast on CB channels is not legal (Though I think they may have an "Exception" for traffic warnings)

Clark Griswold · « **Reply #26 on:** September 05, 2011, 08:42:05 PM »

Quote from: John From Detroit on September 05, 2011, 11:13:35 AM

Channel 13 is the "Good Sam's" Channel.. it is one of two I monitor when driving (19 being the other)

John, I agree with you.....to a point. Channgel 13 is used by "Good Samers" but it is not solely dedicated to them exclusively. In fact, it is generally accepted as the channel for ALL RVers.

sundance3200 · « **Reply #27 on:** September 06, 2011, 10:38:06 AM »

Pieret Yes it has helped us to talk to a couple of other rigs, once we had a cover come off and they notified us, another time someone gave us directions when we were coming into a town. As far as the Hillbilly thing with the marbles, being a hillbilly born and raised in the mountains of Tennessee I take offense to the statement of hillbillies with marbles in their mouths. I have lived here for 66 years and have yet to see anyone with marbles in their mouth. Clark is right with the channel 13 not belonging to Good Sam's they just started using it when CB's were really used.

Pierat · « **Reply #28 on:** September 06, 2011, 12:36:19 PM »

Thanks for the info. (I didn't say anything about hillbillies.)

sundance3200 · « **Reply #29 on:** September 06, 2011, 01:33:18 PM »

No problem but someone else did, and with the crap on TV portraying southerners the way they do I sometimes get a little put out on how some take us. Glad I could help on the question. To the other person I don't talk funny or have an accent maybe it's you. lol

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Author Topic: Why not a RV CB Channel? (Read 33833 times)