hams on the hiway? try 146.520 in between tampa and orlando i 4 corridor,,,,,
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CB channel usage across the US while traveling
- Thread starter powerscol
- Start date
“Amarillo” is (roughly) in translation, Yellow House.
The Beacon is great for RVs too. Take mine thru.
The Beacon is great for RVs too. Take mine thru.
.52 is a good mobile frequency all over the US. Also 446.000.
Not quite, Amarillo (ahma-ree-yo) just means "yellow" in it's masculine form. It most likely refers to the yellow Prairie area of the northern Panhandle.
I lived just south of Sarasota once. There’s a group on 146.52 that designated that frequency for only non-technical chatter. I couldn’t believe my ears when myself and another guy was severely chastised while we were adjusting the deviation on a radio. Most of their conversations consisted of various medical issues, particularly gastrointestinal abnormalities.
Nobody owns the frequency. However, 146.52 is the 2M FM calling frequency, so best operating practice is to establish contact, then move to another designated frequency such as 146.48, .55, .58 etc. Kinda like with CB 38 LSB.
Having said that, while traveling a random contact on .52 usually doesn't last long; so I don't necessarily QSY if there is no other traffic.
Having said that, while traveling a random contact on .52 usually doesn't last long; so I don't necessarily QSY if there is no other traffic.
hear that all the time on the local repeaters here in the tampa lakeland area,,,
Hams can use the APRS packet radio positioning system to report their position and operating frequency while driving. I did a quick survey of the packet stations on https://aprs.fi/ and on http://www.findu.com/ which were using the 18-wheeler truck icon (APRS symbol "/u") as their reporting icon. There were several hundred vehicles self-identified as big trucks, but only 67 were reporting an operating frequency. 41 out of 67 (about 60%) reported 146.52 MHz VHF as their operating frequency they were monitoring. The rest were reporting some other VHF or UHF (430-450 MHz) frequency, one guy was reporting 40 meters HF sideband, one was on VHF marine channel 156.125 MHz, and one was on the GMRS travelers channel 20 (462.675 MHz with a 141.3 Hz PL tone).
About 80% were using analog FM, the other 20% digital voice modulation of one sort or another. Five or six individuals were using digital ham radio "hotspots" to connect to digital voice talk group reflectors. The most common talk group was TGIF #1007 which is the "Harley Hangout", i.e. a digital voice chat room for motorcycle fans. Other talk groups listed were geographical region talk groups such as Alabama Link (Brandmeister #31010), Florida Statewide (Brandmeister #3112), and Triangle NC (Brandmeister #31371).
As far as the regular cars and trucks on APRS, most are local either commuting or running errands and are tuned to their local VHF or UHF repeaters, and are not on simplex frequencies. Occasionally you'll capture a car or truck running long distance on the interstate, but as far as the professional drivers who are licensed ham operators and spend a majority of time on the interstate highway system, they seem to run 146.52 MHz FM simplex or UHF digital voice repeaters or personal hotspots into the various digital voice talk groups or chat rooms.
Here's the talkgroup lists for DMR/Brandmeister, DMR+, DMR/TGIF, YSF, and FCS. A multi-protocol hotspot like an OpenSpot3 will allow you to get on these talk groups with your digital radio with minimal hassle, assuming you have a Technician ham license and a digital voice handie talkie and know how to put your smartphone into WiFi hotspot mode.
https://www.pistar.uk/dmr_bm_talkgroups.php
https://www.pistar.uk/dmr_dmr+_talkgroups.php
https://www.pistar.uk/dmr_tgif_talkgroups.php
https://www.pistar.uk/ysf_reflectors.php
https://www.pistar.uk/fcs_reflectors.php
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Occurred to me the other day (in regards to Everyman doing a nice installation on his private vehicle) that there’s nothing that stops a CB channel besides AM-19 from becoming “active” as host to those not driving trucks.
Snark aside, I can see where many might not like what constitutes a sort of general business channel for an occupation not related to their own.
I figure four channels away is about right. Easy to switch between both.
I bring it up as circumstances may alter desirability. One of those phenomena where something yesterday almost didn’t exist, but in a short time is used by many.
Being able to use this is hope against societal failure
Institutions have pretty much failed.
“Hope” rests with ordinary men desiring to rely on each other (as the case may be).
This attribute is to be seen (heard) on AM-19 when acrimony goes beyond a momentary flash. Other participants weigh in on the futility, spiritual and otherwise.
Recall that participants are in physical proximity.
(City sidewalks).
Point being that should cell service become spotty or defunct, it’s the install, not the radio which has precedence.
Which would I rather have? Side-airbags or a good radio installation? My experience is that this isn’t a good question. So I don’t see this type of objection having merit (if raised as objection to permanent antenna install).
This is in the line of belief that small cars with airbags are “safe” (for a one-vehicle or barrier hit they may be; but not the next vehicle or barrier); it’s better to have avoided a problem in the first place.
Trusting GPS and Internet navigation to route one around the problems is a fools mission. Their profit and your best interest aren’t aligned. (You signed a waiver to hold them harmless no matter what bad or dangerous advice they offer). You have no say in correcting this.
To this end I’ve experimented in having one or another scanner outboard of the main CB Radio in use for channel coverage (thread started). Experiment stopped for now, but experience across the USA from Texas back East is that it’s viable. Its just not easy-peasy as it’s a whole second radio system; the antennas need to be farther apart than as I’ve had them.
It’s a dry desert before the a gully-washer of a storm breaks loose. A canyon, ready to be filled.
Giving a radio as gift is great. How to install it is the thing.
.
Snark aside, I can see where many might not like what constitutes a sort of general business channel for an occupation not related to their own.
I figure four channels away is about right. Easy to switch between both.
I bring it up as circumstances may alter desirability. One of those phenomena where something yesterday almost didn’t exist, but in a short time is used by many.
Being able to use this is hope against societal failure
Institutions have pretty much failed.
“Hope” rests with ordinary men desiring to rely on each other (as the case may be).
This attribute is to be seen (heard) on AM-19 when acrimony goes beyond a momentary flash. Other participants weigh in on the futility, spiritual and otherwise.
Recall that participants are in physical proximity.
(City sidewalks).
Point being that should cell service become spotty or defunct, it’s the install, not the radio which has precedence.
Which would I rather have? Side-airbags or a good radio installation? My experience is that this isn’t a good question. So I don’t see this type of objection having merit (if raised as objection to permanent antenna install).
This is in the line of belief that small cars with airbags are “safe” (for a one-vehicle or barrier hit they may be; but not the next vehicle or barrier); it’s better to have avoided a problem in the first place.
Trusting GPS and Internet navigation to route one around the problems is a fools mission. Their profit and your best interest aren’t aligned. (You signed a waiver to hold them harmless no matter what bad or dangerous advice they offer). You have no say in correcting this.
To this end I’ve experimented in having one or another scanner outboard of the main CB Radio in use for channel coverage (thread started). Experiment stopped for now, but experience across the USA from Texas back East is that it’s viable. Its just not easy-peasy as it’s a whole second radio system; the antennas need to be farther apart than as I’ve had them.
It’s a dry desert before the a gully-washer of a storm breaks loose. A canyon, ready to be filled.
Giving a radio as gift is great. How to install it is the thing.
.
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There is zero CB activity down here in the Keys. I'll occasionally pick up a tourist or a trucker on 19 asking for directions. There's also a World Radio snow bird who pops up every winter on LSB 38 shooting skip. Nothing else.
Years ago, every single channel in the Miami area had radio traffic. We'd pick up some of that down here. A group of Miami crane operators on AM 32 could be heard daily down here. I drive through Miami today and occasionally hear groups on 10, 19 and 40AM. I am pretty sure the same guys bounce back and forth between 40 and 10. While driving on the Florida turnpike or the Sawgrass Expressway one county up from there, in the greater Ft. Lauderdale area, I pick up traffic on 15 and 16. That's about it.
The one nice thing about this for those us down here is that CB has become a great way to keep in touch from house to boat. With today's weak cell phones, it isn't too hard to get out of cell phone tower range in 5 to 8 miles. The CB will get me double to triple that range without too much trouble.
Years ago, every single channel in the Miami area had radio traffic. We'd pick up some of that down here. A group of Miami crane operators on AM 32 could be heard daily down here. I drive through Miami today and occasionally hear groups on 10, 19 and 40AM. I am pretty sure the same guys bounce back and forth between 40 and 10. While driving on the Florida turnpike or the Sawgrass Expressway one county up from there, in the greater Ft. Lauderdale area, I pick up traffic on 15 and 16. That's about it.
The one nice thing about this for those us down here is that CB has become a great way to keep in touch from house to boat. With today's weak cell phones, it isn't too hard to get out of cell phone tower range in 5 to 8 miles. The CB will get me double to triple that range without too much trouble.
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In North Georgia you'll find locals on:
Ch 33 - NW Atlanta
Ch 34 - NW Georgia (Adairsville, Dalton and Calhoun)
Ch 21 & Ch 17 - Cedartown & Eastern Alabama
Ch 4 - Summerville & Trion GA
Ch 13 - Jonesboro South of Atlanta on I-75
Ch 14 - Commerce, Athens & Taccoa (NE GA)
Ch 12 - Carrolton GA and points south and west
Ch 22 - Warm Springs, Columbus GA
Tennessee
Ch 26 - East TN up I-75
Sideband in N Georgia
38 LSB
36 LSB on Friday nights
Ch 33 - NW Atlanta
Ch 34 - NW Georgia (Adairsville, Dalton and Calhoun)
Ch 21 & Ch 17 - Cedartown & Eastern Alabama
Ch 4 - Summerville & Trion GA
Ch 13 - Jonesboro South of Atlanta on I-75
Ch 14 - Commerce, Athens & Taccoa (NE GA)
Ch 12 - Carrolton GA and points south and west
Ch 22 - Warm Springs, Columbus GA
Tennessee
Ch 26 - East TN up I-75
Sideband in N Georgia
38 LSB
36 LSB on Friday nights
Back in the day ('70's) channel was monitored by REACT (Radio Emergency Associated Communication Teams) I don't think their on there like they were then.