Does anyone still use CB radios?

[red-beard]

I have a Multiband Ham rig in the truck which can be tuned to the 11 meter band, aka CB band. My old 10 meter radio could be adjusted to the CB bands and transmit, almost legally. I think the low setting was 5 Watts, which with antenna losses, no one would notice.

The high setting was 200 Watts, which would definitely be noticed...

At that time, one of the guys I used to talk with on the 2 meter band (The Ham Band equal to CB), used to be on CB in the 70's/80's and his handle was "The Mixer Fixer", because he worked on CO2 beverage systems.

When we used to travel around the country in the 1970's with a 23 channel CB from probably Sears, I was "Jesse James" and my dad was "The Bald Eagle". My mother was "The nervous wreck". My sister who does ballet was "Twinkle Toes", and she still uses that name in e-mail addresses.

[KFC911]

https://youtube/AoW8_SMyV60

Watch out for them "Lot Lizards" ....

OK ... so how do ya imbed a video ?

Legendary Shackshakers - CB Song .... from a Geico ad (I think it was) and a CD I just had to buy ... CockaDoodleDon't

[Seahawk]

My Dad was into CB’s during the I can’t drive 55 days.

His handle was “Road Apple”.

[KFC911]

When I began driving ('76), I installed one (along with the 8-track) in my dad's Cougar ... CB antennas were common in my hs parking lot. A CB/whip antenna would have never survived in my Jeep a year or so later... a quick fad for me ... sorta like hi-fi 8-track players ....

But we were soooo cool ...

[dheinz]

"Pet Rock" here.
In the mid to late '70s, I drove a thousand miles a week on rural interstates at 80mph. The speed limit was 55mph.
CB radio saved me lots of money, tickets, and my drivers driver's license...

[3rd_gear_Ted]

"Loose lug nut" here.
I'm 10-99 @ the strip club...

[Robert Coats]

I worked at Radio Shack part time during college, from 1976-1980; we sold a TON of CB radios, and offered almost a dozen models. One day this 20-something woman came in and wanted to buy a CB antenna for her car. After showing her a few, she decided on a trunk-lip mounted model. I gave her some connection tips, and she just shook her head, and said, "Oh, it won't be hooked up. I just want it for the looks."

[GH85Carrera]

This is me, driving my 914 in about 1978. You can see the CB radio I had mounted on the rear. A 23 Channel Radio Shack CB. I started using CB in the days when it still required a license. That was dropped as millions of people took to the air waves and ignored the rules.

There was a guy 500 yards from the business that I worked at that put in a linear amp and a tall antenna and he chatted with people all over the area. It was such a strong signal it overwhelmed the AM/FM radio, and intercom system we had installed. The boss popped in a blank cassette, and recorded him for 90 minutes. The boss dropped it in the mail to the FCC and a few months later was saw his antenna come down, and all his equipment hauled away. Our intercom system became usable again. The bank across the street from us was really happy as that signal bled into their phone system.

[dad911]

I had 'Ham' and a commercial (3rd class as I recall) licenses in the 70's. Installed dozens of CBs, and 'fine tuned' a bunch to get max power, SWR, and modulation. Tuning the modulation (changing caps) in the audio stages didn't increase range per say, but improved readability on weaker signals.

[cabmandone]

My Texas Ranger got retired when I sold the 99 F350. I was "Pete's Dragon" just because.

[Ayles]

[sc_rufctr]

Back in the 70s CB radios were all the rage in Australia. A lot of kids had them setup in their bedrooms and they'd often spend the whole night chatting to each other. Channel 9 & 28 were supposed to be reserved for Truckies but the kids used that as well. There were rumors that you could actually find people if they broadcasts long enough but I never saw that happen.

Do you remember when analog mobile phones were first introduced? Often when talking to someone you'd get a break in from another caller. I remember a few times travelling near the airport and hearing the pilots talking to the tower over my phone.

After all that, no one should have been surprised about the rise and popularity of the internet - We're social animals.

And yes most Truckies in Australia still use them.

[WPOZZZ]

I used to shoot skip and talk to guys in Queensland.

[sc_rufctr]

Originally Posted by WPOZZZ

I used to shoot skip and talk to guys in Queensland.

Hawaii is kind of close to Queensland but still a long way for a CB radio. Well done!

My dad owned a Codan Short Wave base station and he could speak to people all over the world.

[WPOZZZ]

We were having major sunspot activity so that helped.

[NY65912]

Had a Midland CB back in the '70s. Handle was Screwball. It was fun because me and my buddies could speak to each other without using the phone.

[KFC911]

^^^^ all my hs buds had 'em in vehicles, not home based. Cell phones and debit cards were at least a decade in the future .

My first cell was an analog bag phone ... with a pager on my hip .... circa '85 (corporate life )....

Dial in terminal was like a bowling ball case ... for home use .... not mobile either.

....and I literally walked to school in junior high .... at least it was downhill both ways

[stevej37]

I had a bag phone in the day....they had the best range of all early cellphones.
$24 on ebay.

[sc_rufctr]

Lethal Weapon - 1987!

[shadowjack1]

I have this in my 88' just for ****s and grins. Does not get much use, only during traffic jams.