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SSB Traffic

It all started for me in the 70's , I had a more than enough classes for my Collage prep so I decided to take Electronic's . I learned how to use all the equipment and built a kit Am radio then an Fm radio . I was bitten ! Started w/ an Am Cb radio then SSB it opened up a whole different world for me w/ my Cobra 142 GTL ( Extra Channels ) and my Moonraker that cycle in the 80's ( I believe ) was awesome I chatted all over the world barefoot .Now I have to get off my butt and get my Ham licence , I started studying last year but things came up . Winters coming , back to studying ! I have passed the online test's a few times . I need to get this done ! Too many friends on here keep telling me to ! 73 and God Bless , Leo
 
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fogdog said:
Whatever works for you. Personally I just turn the CB on, and select ch19.
With a 2meter rig (which I have) are you relying on 146.520 for traffic report? I monitor 520 all day and usually hear Zip, unless there's a SOTA Activation, or some kind of bike race or marathon that the local Hammies take part in.
No way am I going to try to program all the freqs and tones and what Not before I travel. Just ain't going to happen.
I travel a lot in a travel trailer, and in use the CB exclusively on the road. In fact some big campgrounds use CB for a convenience when at their park, like shuttle rides to town, or casinos etc. Never seen one use anything else besides CB, and I've been through and camped in all lower 48 states. 2 meter has never been informative, but the CB has. Don't get me wrong I love Ham radio, but on the road I'll stick with a CB.
That's how we roll, and how you do it is up to you. Whatever makes you warm and fuzzy.
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Well for me personally I find there is just too much noise (DX etc) and just plain general crap to bother with CB. I have no problem finding where some place is I want to go as GPS and Google Earth Street View has always served me well. The few times I did need on-the-road info I found the 2m rig was more than helpful. I was in Salem N.H. one time looking for Ham Radio Outlet before the age of everyday GPS units and had forgotten the street they were on. One fellow had just left HRO and was on his rooftop adjusting his new antenna. He had his HT with him and offered to talk me all the way into the store while sitting on his roof. LOL Another talked me straight into a campground he recommended which was awesome. Sure there is the very odd time there may be a traffic tie up somewhere but even then there is usually someone complaining about it on one of the repeaters. Like you said in the end it is a personal choice and there is no right or wrong. Everyone is different.
 
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I was driving through Memphis late at night in very bad weather and the traffic was the worst I have ever seen. A tornado had come through and it had tipped over some 18 wheeler's on the road ways. Both directions to boot. The locals were still asleep but my Cobra GPS rerouted us with minimal delay. So CB was not much use there and I did not have any Ham radios running. I had to rely on the old Cobra GPS. I was only delayed an hour.
 
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fogdog said:
I reckon if your armed with a CB, or Ham radio your better off than the folks who don't have one. I carry both, but then I'm retired USCG and our motto is;
SEMPER PARATUS (Always Ready).

73
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Cell phone is useless in this type of situation unless you know the phone number of one of the truckers ahead of you.
 
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Back in the 80's I would travel a lot as I competed in R/C aerobatic contests, I would have a CB in the car then but I was active on 11 meters then as well. Nowadays the GPS is all I need. I did for about 4 years have HF in the car but I wasn't traveling only back and forth to work.
 
Update: Wednesday while traveling north to Buffalo the CB came to life with truckers talking about tornado warnings in the area while I was experiencing high winds, lightning and heavy rain.Tornadoes are rare in this part of the country. The high rolling hills and valleys we have usually tend to buffer approaching winds before they’re able to form a strong vortex. I didn’t give any thought to a possible tornado. I had the WX frequencies programmed into my 2 meter radio, but that was an afterthought. The point is, I heard the warning from the truckers first. Afterwards I tuned into an AM/FM broadcast station for further details, but you soon find out that the “first hand eyes in the sky accounts” from the truckers are far more reliable. Fortunately, no major damage was done as this weakened tornado never touched down. No warning about this storm was on any of the repeaters I was scanning. Repeaters were very active in storm watch programs years ago, not so much anymore, at least not in this area, maybe in tornado ally. Their services usually only becomes active after a disaster has happened. Other services such as cell phone text have taken over the warning aspect. If it wasn’t for the few VHF/UHF repeaters in this area that are connected up to the worldwide IRLP, AllStar or Echolink networks, that spectrum would be almost dead.
 
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Dang!, wish my CB would come to life. Static,Static, and more Static. Even the Super Bowl has been silent for weeks over this way. What's a Radio Nerd to do.
I did hear a distant Qso on 10 meters 2 days ago, and that's it. Patients is a virtue I guess.
 
Tallman said:
Cell phone is useless in this type of situation unless you know the phone number of one of the truckers ahead of you.
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"The person you are attempting to reach is not available at this time. Please leave a brief message so they can get back to you - thank you..."

BEEEEP...

Hmm...hey, now that you're out of the hospital - just wanted to let you know we saw you laying on your side while on the side of the road - you ok? You left a lot of your stuff out on the pavement so you may want to go back and see if they dropped it off at the lost and found at the Truck Stop you just passed...out there...<*click*>
 
My TYT TH-9800 will receive AM on the CB band but it won't transmit on AM just FM but it lets me listen to the band if I like.I don't have enough room for the Quad Band FM Mobile & another radio so I stick with the Quad Band mobile.

SIX-SHOOTER
 
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fogdog said:
I reckon if your armed with a CB, or Ham radio your better off than the folks who don't have one. I carry both, but then I'm retired USCG and our motto is;
SEMPER PARATUS (Always Ready).

73
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I always thought the war cry of the coast guard was "Beach Party."
Just kidding there my friend. Silverado 996 says hello.
 
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