How much time do you spend on the CB?

[Rocky]

Just curious...

On average...how much time per day do you spend on the CB?

• Are you a constant talker while driving every mile....
• Are you a "hang back and just listen" kind of driver....
• Are you an "only speak when spoken to" kind of driver...
• Are you a "reply when you know what you're talking about" kind of driver...
• Are you a "reply when you don't know what you're talking about, just want to be part of it" kind of driver...
• Are you a "michevious talker"...

Does it really help you stay awake?

And the BIG QUESTION.....are you annoyed by ones who do any of the above (in excess)?
Or could you care less and just shut it off when you've had enough?

 

[Cerberus]

i only used it at a shipper or reciever.

 

[Mike]

These days, I never use it. Been meaning to hook it up in my pickup but never find the time. Can't hook one up in the truck that I do overnight linehaul in because I share the truck with someone that drives it during the day and he constantly hits stuff with the mirrors and tears antennas and body parts off the truck, LOL.

When I was OTR, or if I ever go back OTR, it will always at least be "on". I generally have the range turned way down where I only hear people within a mile of me though, unless I am in a talkative mood. Generally wont talk though unless someone starts a conversation with me, or asks a question that I know the answer to.

If two drivers are having a personal conversation on "19", I will either turn the radio off for a while, or if I am close to them, I will turn on the amp and end their conversation pretty quickly. 40 freaking channels and people think they have to tell their life story on 19, that always pisses me off.

 

[2xR]

All Of The Time...

I keep mine on unless I'm:
on the phone...
trying to nap...
watching TV...
tired of a ratchet-jaw...
in DC, North Jersey, NY, Eastern PA, Southern CT because about two minutes listening to the "CB ASSHOLES.COM" crowd is all I can stand...

I tune it down if I can get a good AM talk radio signal. Rushbo, Glen Beck, and The Savage Nation all trump the CB, although I'll still listen to hear what's going on, just squelched way down.

The safety aspect is a big draw for me. At least once a day I get a "heads up" warning that helps me out.

I love squealing on the bears.

Some of the one liners are hilarious.

If I don't think I can be 100% accurate with information, I keep quiet.

If I had to categorize myself I would be a "informative mischief maker" who insist on using quality equipment.

 

[RobW]

I rarely talk on the CB, but it may be on and turned down most of the time. Too many nutcases out there for me to bother listening all the time, let alone speaking with them.

When I note a slow in traffic, I will turn it up to learn what happened. When I'm at a shipper/reciever I turn it on as well. And rarely, I'll use it for directions when I'm near a place I think I may have trouble finding.

 

[Mike]

I learned to "not ask" what the slowdown was if I had been driving with my radio down or off. There was nothing I could do about it at the point I drove up on it, and I knew that there was plenty more people who would be asking, and after all the smart ass remarks were made, somebody would say what was going on, LOL.

 

[TJGoSurf]

I just listen.

 

[pilot]

Pilot

I dont even carry my CB any more because of the BS you have to contend with just to try and have it on and the language is somthing that as a sailor I have heard some new words. No thanks

 

[RobW]

I learned to "not ask" what the slowdown was if I had been driving with my radio down or off. There was nothing I could do about it at the point I drove up on it, and I knew that there was plenty more people who would be asking, and after all the smart ass remarks were made, somebody would say what was going on, LOL.

Yup... That's why I'll just turn it up and listen. Someone is bound to ask... and again and again. Once I hear the story, I usually flip it back to quiet status. Otherwise, I'm usually not very bothered until I get to "the ranting asshat" which is inevitable these days and is the only reason I leave it low most of the time.

 

[2xR]

get to "the ranting asshat" which is inevitable these days.

When one is bored to silliness, inflaming "the ranting asshat" can be amusing and serves to kill a few minutes, or, hours depending on relative travel directions...

 

[oa_smallfry]

I keep mine on unless I'm:
on the phone...
trying to nap...
watching TV...
tired of a ratchet-jaw...
in DC, North Jersey, NY, Eastern PA, Southern CT because about two minutes listening to the "CB ASSHOLES.COM" crowd is all I can stand...

I tune it down if I can get a good AM talk radio signal. Rushbo, Glen Beck, and The Savage Nation all trump the CB, although I'll still listen to hear what's going on, just squelched way down.

The safety aspect is a big draw for me. At least once a day I get a "heads up" warning that helps me out.

I always have mine on, but not very loud. With my XM/Sirius radio, I'm like a woman (mine) and her soaps. I wake up and start my day with Opie and Anthony from when I get up till noon (sometimes Glenn Beck when they're on vacation), then Ron and Fez from 12-3 (XM 202/Sirius 197). Then whatever time I missed of the O&A Show earlier, their replay starts at 3 so I catch up there. After that I listen to Claire B. Lang "if" I'm not completely fed up with NASCAR that day. Either that or I listen to shows I download to my mp3 player. Having a choice of what to listen to makes driving truck so much more tollerable. I actually enjoy it now compared to when I first started 12 years ago.

Not having my CB on has gotten me in some back up every now and then, but with my "programs", I don't get to upset. The way I look at it is, I'd rather laugh, than listen to some assholes rant, rave, and stir up sh*t (on the CB or News Channels).

As for the NY/NY ratchet jaws, I've noticed this year since I've started delivering NYC/Island loads, there's one radio (probably a toy) that says, "I love work, work loves me", then repeats a million times from the NJ Tpk all the way around the BQE onto the LIE. This is why I don't even listen to it through there anymore.

 

[FlatBroke]

Mine is always on....but usually not on 19. I will flip to 19 if I am coming up on a scale I am sometimes on the heavy side.
We (my company) usually send our trucks to the same place so I usually am running with another driver. We usually stay on channel 28 our company channel is 25 but I rarely go on it.

 

[RobW]

I spoke with a few drivers about the CB today. One said he leaves his off... Always. Another turned to him and said, "Ya know, a CB will save your life one day." I quickly added, "Not if he leaves it off!!" We all got a laugh and that "always off" driver said that was a valid point. He'll now consider leaving it on, but turned down(as I do it) incase he needs to get or send emergency info.

I mentioned a JB driver recently not having his on, when his trailer caught fire. He lost a trailer which would've been saved if he was listening when I told him the smoke was rolling and he was in desperate need to pull over. 2 other drivers also tried to warn him, but no... He just HAD to get into that rest area a mile up the highway BEFORE leaving the road. Had he pulled off, he could've limped along the shoulder and prevented that massive heat buildup altogether. Of course, a decent inspection may have also done the trick!

 

[truckerstrike08]

Do you guys turn the CB on when you are backing out of a tight spot like in a truck stop or somewhere? In hopes that other people will help if you are about to hit someone or something?

I noticed that a lot of drivers don't even have it on or do not even respond.

The other night I stirred up about 3 kinds of crap on the radio and no I am not posting it because it is VERY HIGHLY inappropriate for some viewers on here. LOL but it did in fact give everyone out there a good laugh.

 

[truckerstrike08]

I spoke with a few drivers about the CB today. One said he leaves his off... Always. Another turned to him and said, "Ya know, a CB will save your life one day." I quickly added, "Not if he leaves it off!!" We all got a laugh and that "always off" driver said that was a valid point. He'll now consider leaving it on, but turned down(as I do it) incase he needs to get or send emergency info.

I mentioned a JB driver recently not having his on, when his trailer caught fire. He lost a trailer which would've been saved if he was listening when I told him the smoke was rolling and he was in desperate need to pull over. 2 other drivers also tried to warn him, but no... He just HAD to get into that rest area a mile up the highway BEFORE leaving the road. Had he pulled off, he could've limped along the shoulder and prevented that massive heat buildup altogether. Of course, a decent inspection may have also done the trick!

See thats what I'm talkin about. Drivers not having them on in situation that could be prevented. Heck we gave one of our friends a CB cause his broke just cause to me it's a "vital information key"

 

[Mike]

Most of these drivers turn the radio off because they don't want to listen to a lot of crap from the drivers, especially if you driver for J.B. or SWIFT. Rather than being subject to the nonsense, they end up just turning the radio off permanently, and I really can't blame them.

If you ever drove for one of these companies, you know first hand what I am talking about. Those of you who haven't will hear some joking occasionally directed toward these people, those who are in those trucks get it all the time, and I mean ALL the time. Might not be as bad now as it used to be, but back in 91, it was absolutely brutal at times, and occasionally dangerous.

I can remember when I first started driving. I knew as soon as I started backing into a spot at the truckstop, the CB was going to crazy with jokes and insults. It enraged me at first, but I learned to just turn the radio off and took it upon myself to "get out and look" as I was backing in. If someone was trying to help you, they would be drowned out by 10 other people throwing out insults.

See thats what I'm talkin about. Drivers not having them on in situation that could be prevented. Heck we gave one of our friends a CB cause his broke just cause to me it's a "vital information key"

 

[Johnny99]

My CB was on except when I was sleeping. You never knew when a cop was going to sneak up on you. When I started trucking in the mid 70's the CB and the AM was about the only entertainment you had. We didn't have all the toys like today. I actually had two radios. I had a Cobra 29 for normal everday use and another Cobra 29 with echo/reverb, numerous toys, and a 250 Watt Black Widow linear for when I really wanted to shut someone up.:whistle:

 

[truckerstrike08]

I know Bull I hear it too. But when the driver doesn't get out to look or listen on the radio then I can't feel bad for them when they plow into an object.

But I do know what you are saying we listen to the crap a lot. I hear the "Here comes JB or Swifty everyone run!!!"

 

[2xR]

Look Out!!! He's backing up...

Unless I have been running with someone, and, yakking on the CB enough with them to know their voice, all other truck stop backing guides need not apply.

That's right. I turn my junk off when preparing to back into a parking slot. Five people yelling, "cut it", "get under it", and, "looking good over here" gets on my last nerve. No offense intended to you "helpful" ones, but, if I can't park it, I shouldn't be driving it, and, all your noise is a distraction, not a help.

When I'm finished I'll turn the CB back on so you can tell me what a great job I've done.

 

[truckerstrike08]

LOL

If I almost get ran over like I did last night I will give them a shout and tell them to hit me next time in a laughing voice.

Anyone else feel like you are doing the Nascar thing in a truck stop? LOL