CB alive and well?

[desertskies]

I am new to these boards. I spend most of my time at the Phoenix TV and Phoenix radio discussions.
I just stumbled in the Ham/CB/Scanner posts.
From what I've read, I like it!

Brought back memories of old Radio Shack rigs and walkie-talkies (a poster mentioned Ch. 14).
At any rate, I recently purchased a RS Pro-96 digital scanner. The RS sales help went ahead and set up the local freqs via a computer program. One of the bands included was the CB band.
I live not even a 1/4 mile from I-17 (a major north-south highway. More INTRAstate than Interstate ) and about 3 miles from I-10 (major east-west highway).
Testing the unit at home, I called up the CB bands.
Nothing. Quieter than a cough from a church mouse.

Is it because I tried to listen using a digital radio, as opposed to analog, that I couldn't hear anyone?
Maybe with the advent of wireless phones that act as a walkie-talkie, does CB radio even have a purpose?
Maybe the way that RS programmed my radio? I couldn't get Phoenix PD.
I ended up taking the unit to work (I work for a local TV News station) and had the radio cloned from a working Pro-96. But now I'm unable to listen to the CB bands (the RS programming was blown out), but have Phoenix PD across the board.

Suggestions?

I ask sincerely seeing this is my first visit to Ham/CB/Scanner.

 

[4dude]

11 Meters seems to be dead,no DX or anything really the last 2 years (Maybe a day or so with some stuff)

12,11,10 Meters has been basically quiet....We should be coming back though (I think we are past the lowest spot)

20 is good though...

 

[K6JHU]

This very moment is the 'deadest' the 11m band is ever going to be for the next 11 years. What that does is make things good for those of us who use the band for 'local' communications (e.g. car to car). Besides which, talking on the radio while driving a big rig through downtown Phoenix is not the greatest idea.

But where has the CB gone:
DX - Still not allowed by the FCC - but the band is dead. So those that are licensed have moved to amateur radio.
Local - Almost all moved to FRS/GMRS. FRS is being used by almost everyone.
Truckers - Cell phones and laptops - have you been to a truck stop lately

John

 

[Black_Shire]

This very moment is the 'deadest' the 11m band is ever going to be for the next 11 years. What that does is make things good for those of us who use the band for 'local' communications (e.g. car to car). Besides which, talking on the radio while driving a big rig through downtown Phoenix is not the greatest idea.

But where has the CB gone:
DX - Still not allowed by the FCC - but the band is dead. So those that are licensed have moved to amateur radio.
Local - Almost all moved to FRS/GMRS. FRS is being used by almost everyone.
Truckers - Cell phones and laptops - have you been to a truck stop lately

John

And don't forget the freebanders who broadcast at the band edges... Also, here in Alaska both mobile and base station CB is quite popular because the cellular telephone coverage (especially in the interior) is very limited.


-- Black Shire

 

[KeithE4]

I am new to these boards. I spend most of my time at the Phoenix TV and Phoenix radio discussions.
I just stumbled in the Ham/CB/Scanner posts.
From what I've read, I like it!

Brought back memories of old Radio Shack rigs and walkie-talkies (a poster mentioned Ch. 14).
At any rate, I recently purchased a RS Pro-96 digital scanner. The RS sales help went ahead and set up the local freqs via a computer program. One of the bands included was the CB band.
I live not even a 1/4 mile from I-17 (a major north-south highway. More INTRAstate than Interstate ) and about 3 miles from I-10 (major east-west highway).
Testing the unit at home, I called up the CB bands.
Nothing. Quieter than a cough from a church mouse.

I thought it was just my rig or poor antenna, but I never hear anything on 11 either, and I'm one block from I-10 and about 5 miles south of US-60. ;D

Maybe the Part 15 folks could make use of the band now that it isn't as active with real CBers. Believe it or not, the old 100 mW into a one meter antenna rule (which covered the old Channel 14 walkie-talkies of decades ago) is still in effect.

 

[Black_Shire]

I am new to these boards. I spend most of my time at the Phoenix TV and Phoenix radio discussions.
I just stumbled in the Ham/CB/Scanner posts.
From what I've read, I like it!

Brought back memories of old Radio Shack rigs and walkie-talkies (a poster mentioned Ch. 14).
At any rate, I recently purchased a RS Pro-96 digital scanner. The RS sales help went ahead and set up the local freqs via a computer program. One of the bands included was the CB band.
I live not even a 1/4 mile from I-17 (a major north-south highway. More INTRAstate than Interstate ) and about 3 miles from I-10 (major east-west highway).
Testing the unit at home, I called up the CB bands.
Nothing. Quieter than a cough from a church mouse.

I thought it was just my rig or poor antenna, but I never hear anything on 11 either, and I'm one block from I-10 and about 5 miles south of US-60. ;D

Maybe the Part 15 folks could make use of the band now that it isn't as active with real CBers. Believe it or not, the old 100 mW into a one meter antenna rule (which covered the old Channel 14 walkie-talkies of decades ago) is still in effect.

That's an intriguing idea... Are there any rules in that section regarding band sharing between a 100 mW broadcaster and two-way CB operation on the same channel (how long one may transmit, that is)?


-- Black Shire

 

[KeithE4]

That's an intriguing idea... Are there any rules in that section regarding band sharing between a 100 mW broadcaster and two-way CB operation on the same channel (how long one may transmit, that is)?

Actually, that rule was modified. It (CFR 47 Sec. 15.227) states that the field strength of a Part 15 device cannot exceed 10,000 uV/m at 3 meters. The frequency range is 26.96 to 27.28 MHz (CB Channels 1-27 + the in-between R/C channels).

There aren't any restrictions on transmit time, and I assume that one can communicate with "regular" CB operators since no license is required. I'd be careful broadcasting on regular CB channels though, since interference with normal CB operations is still a no-no. Maybe the R/C frequencies (26.995, 27.045, 27.095, 27.145, and 27.195 MHz) would be OK so long as you're not anywhere near an area with a lot of R/C activity.

The 100 mW input/1-meter attached antenna rule still does apply to Part 15 devices on 49.82-49.9 MHz (CFR 47 Sec. 15.235).

Link: FCC Rule 15.227
Link: FCC Rule 15.235

 

[PhilJSmith67]

Truckers - Cell phones and laptops - have you been to a truck stop lately

Truckers still use Channel 19 regularly throughout the U.S. You'll can't get on a cell phone when some truck is approaching from three miles away and ask for a traffic report, like "How's it looking back toward Des Moines?" You can't use cell phone or laptop to find out which of the two truckstops up the road have any open parking spaces. While there tends to be less "parking lot chatter" because of cell phones (which also provide internet access for laptops), there is still conversation on and around Channel 19.

As for residential use, you hear very few "locals" on CB anymore. There is a group of teens and young adults with CBs in the semi-rural town where I live. I think they use them more like a fun "toy"; an over-the-air "conference call" of sorts.

 

[Black_Shire]

That's an intriguing idea... Are there any rules in that section regarding band sharing between a 100 mW broadcaster and two-way CB operation on the same channel (how long one may transmit, that is)?

Actually, that rule was modified. It (CFR 47 Sec. 15.227) states that the field strength of a Part 15 device cannot exceed 10,000 uV/m at 3 meters. The frequency range is 26.96 to 27.28 MHz (CB Channels 1-27 + the in-between R/C channels).

There aren't any restrictions on transmit time, and I assume that one can communicate with "regular" CB operators since no license is required. I'd be careful broadcasting on regular CB channels though, since interference with normal CB operations is still a no-no. Maybe the R/C frequencies (26.995, 27.045, 27.095, 27.145, and 27.195 MHz) would be OK so long as you're not anywhere near an area with a lot of R/C activity.

The 100 mW input/1-meter attached antenna rule still does apply to Part 15 devices on 49.82-49.9 MHz (CFR 47 Sec. 15.235).

Link: FCC Rule 15.227
Link: FCC Rule 15.235

Thank you for posting those links. The 49.82 - 49.9 MHz band sounds like an interesting possibility for Part 15 AM broadcasting, although receiver availability would be a problem.


-- Black Shire

 

[PhilJSmith67]

I believe that some of the older baby monitors operate between 49.8 and 49.9 MHz, and they're Part 15 devices.

 

[MotoMuzak]

If anyone reading this board is in the Portland, OR area, just radio to "Little Boy Blue" on channel 11 and let's chat............

(Incidentally, I tend to inhabit Channel 11 mostly for sake of identity......"11" is my motocross number! ;o)

 

[K6JHU]

"As for residential use, you hear very few "locals" on CB anymore. There is a group of teens and young adults with CBs in the semi-rural town where I live. I think they use them more like a fun "toy"; an over-the-air "conference call" of sorts."

Most of the kids, families, and the locals are up on FRS (460 MHz). I've seen it a lot at swap meets. But it is all going the way of text messaging and cell phones.

 

[93Q]

Here in the southeast, I have heard quite a few band openings recently. Many stations out to maybe 1200 miles were pounding in last Sat. night. Not much any further though.

 

[Hoosierky]

As a truck driver, the reason the CB is not as noisey is the following:

1)Yes, laptops and cell phones allow us to get more accurate basic directions prior to starting the trip. When a driver breaks down, he is not dependant on a fellow driver to pull over and call at the next truck stop for help.

2) I (IMHO) am just tired of the BS on it!! Supertruckers who are complaining about this, that, and the other when they should be sleeping, etc. Now, when the snow and ice are flying, or there is a backup, I turn it on and listen, but other than it, it stays off.

BTW since I driver 62 mph or slower, I don't need to know where the cops are. When I did listen to it, I got a ticket when nobody said a darn thing about the bear in the median

 

[4dude]

Here in the southeast, I have heard quite a few band openings recently. Many stations out to maybe 1200 miles were pounding in last Sat. night. Not much any further though.

11 has been quiet though the last few days (As well as 10 and 12)

 

[jammerdave]

There have been some late afternoon openings on both 10 & 11 meters recently. I have heard the carribean, central US, pacific northwest, and chatted with folks in Perth Australia and Hawaii, all within the last week. (SSB in my case) More DX on CB channels than 10 meters, though. Where are all the Hams? 10 meters is a great band, much more civilized that CB usually is. When the DX was rolling on CB, I only found one guy on 10 meters that was DX. What gives? I think that some hams think that it's not worth listening to, because we are at the bottom of the sunspot cycle, but that just isn't the case.

NA6DF

 

[ruger22com]

I make the drive from Mobile AL to Birmingham AL on occasion...and out of massive bordom, I picked up a $100 cb rig (midland 4watt handheld with autoscan.. with roof anntenna) on ebay, thinking I could at least listen to some conversation or hop in on some as I did 25 years back. I was surprised not to hear a single conversation back and forth on a recent trip. Now, I was only driving during the day, but I was still surprised by the lack of activity.

 

[CW]

I make the drive from Mobile AL to Birmingham AL on occasion...and out of massive bordom, I picked up a $100 cb rig (midland 4watt handheld with autoscan.. with roof anntenna) on ebay, thinking I could at least listen to some conversation or hop in on some as I did 25 years back. I was surprised not to hear a single conversation back and forth on a recent trip. Now, I was only driving during the day, but I was still surprised by the lack of activity.

In my job, I cover quite a bit of area along the Gulf Coast of SE and into East Texas as well as SW La....I-10 has a lot of truckers on it and Channel 19 is quite active....usually for police or traffic reports....(sometimes you hear music or something obscene but mostly not)...I listen to 19 while on the Interstate because it helps me get around construction areas or accidents (like the motorcycle accident today)....but when off I-10 or even on the interstate in the open areas, I have the FT-857D on 6m or 10m! As NA6DF pointed out though, 10m has been quite empty.....which is a shame...but havent heard much down here along the Gulf Coast....EVERY once in a while I might hear a 10mtr repeater pop in....or someone on 28.400 USB...but there is more chit chat on 11m AM CB.....but when 6 opens, I'm on it

 

[DJboutit3]

Here in Houston there a a decent ammount of locals if your in the right area on the right channel ch 11 is for local hifiers 21 close to galveston have some good locals. Yes DX has been quite dead for some time now hope it comes back soon here in the fall & winter months

 

[Tube Shortwave]

Maybe the Part 15 folks could make use of the band now that it isn't as active with real CBers.

You mean like this? http://www.dxring.net/11beacon.htm

Interesting project indeed....