Anyone running CB's in their truck these days?

[Ironhorse]

Late to the game on this but I did the CB bit in mid to late 60s when actually HAD to have a government issued FCC Part 95 license and call letters. Lots of folks ran outlaw style, no license, just a CB "handle". Kinda like the user ID of today on the internet. If caught on the air and broadcasting by local FCC monitor always heard it meant big fines and loss of equipment? Don't know if that was true or not, didn't want to find out tho, LOL.

Used to do the CB " Coffee Breaks" with the locals. Get together at local coffee shops and compare notes. Exchange QSL cards, sort of like a buisness card with name, call sign numbers and such. Actually remember one night here in Kansas, shooting "skip" and talked to a shrimp boat operator who was in the Texas Gulf. Talked for about 20 minutes or so before lost contact when clouds and weather pattern changed. Used to be bragging rights about how far you got shooting skip.

Actually my board name here "Ironhorse" is a throw back to those days. When I came home from Viet Nam in 1970 I purchased a '69 Mustang Mach 1, 351 4spd. Went back to doing CB and became " Ironhorse Moblie" with my call sign numbers. Registered on the board years ago and searched for a user Id and decided on using Ironhorse, riding in a pickup instead of on back of a horse seemed a lot more comfortable.

[jocko]

THAT is a cool history of your username. If I'm not mistaken, no license required these days? But not completely certain of that. I do recall all the paperwork coming in the box back in the day. Was kinda fun to fill out - a sure sign I was stepping into some "new" gee-whiz technological world.. Ha. Yes, I know I could just use my cell these days, but now THAT'S illegal in most states while you're driving! CB, you don't have to look, you just have to talk and listen, the latter rapidly becoming a lost art it seems (ok, cynical old man off his podium). I like CBs I guess, what can I say...

BREAK BREAK

(or should I say "Breaker Breaker.." ha). I have not used a newer SSB outfit before, only pre-SSB CBs. I'm curious how much better, if any, they work than older non-SSB setups. Most of the vintage stuff is NOT SSB, but some of the very end of the era stuff is - mostly I've found Realistic models in the TRC-450 and up range to be SSB and their fetching price (on ebay anyway) is through the roof compared to non-SSB. I ALMOST bought a pristine NIB TRC-452 (I think it was) SSB version - but decided that was a little too pricey ($350) - but am starting to second guess that decision because I'm seeing others in similar new condition for upwards of $700. So, if anyone has used both old school and SSB, I'd be interested in knowing if you felt the performance, clarity, etc was better than pre-SSB. Thanks!

[70cst]

Originally Posted by jocko

THAT is a cool history of your username. If I'm not mistaken, no license required these days? But not completely certain of that. I do recall all the paperwork coming in the box back in the day. Was kinda fun to fill out - a sure sign I was stepping into some "new" gee-whiz technological world.. Ha. Yes, I know I could just use my cell these days, but now THAT'S illegal in most states while you're driving! CB, you don't have to look, you just have to talk and listen, the latter rapidly becoming a lost art it seems (ok, cynical old man off his podium). I like CBs I guess, what can I say...

BREAK BREAK

(or should I say "Breaker Breaker.." ha). I have not used a newer SSB outfit before, only pre-SSB CBs. I'm curious how much better, if any, they work than older non-SSB setups. Most of the vintage stuff is NOT SSB, but some of the very end of the era stuff is - mostly I've found Realistic models in the TRC-450 and up range to be SSB and their fetching price (on ebay anyway) is through the roof compared to non-SSB. I ALMOST bought a pristine NIB TRC-452 (I think it was) SSB version - but decided that was a little too pricey ($350) - but am starting to second guess that decision because I'm seeing others in similar new condition for upwards of $700. So, if anyone has used both old school and SSB, I'd be interested in knowing if you felt the performance, clarity, etc was better than pre-SSB. Thanks!

The old Philly made Uniden Grant and Cobra 148 are highly after as they are very quite RX radios ... compared to todays standard radio. The President 2510 is also highly sought after. The Galaxy 99V and 88 are also in high demand. SSB were normally found on the higher priced radios. I don't think the quality is as good now as it was in the 80's.

[jocko]

thanks!

['68OrangeSunshine]

I got an FCC license in the early '70s. Still have a blue Dymo tape label strip on my ash tray door KBLU4105. I almost always used a handle, though. ''Bluejay'' in high school, ''Agent Orange'' evolved into ''Orange Sunshine'' [when running my '68 Stepside in 516 orange] and ''the Walrus'' later on -- because of my furry grey fu manchu mustache.
When I bought my '71 GMC Jimmy in 1995, I also got a brand new Radio Shack SSB rig, but then didn't mount it as I got my first cellphone shortly after that.
A couple of years ago I 'found' my NIB SSB and hooked it up to the ground plane base antenna that's still on my house. I tried the sideband channels but concluded there was no intelligent life out there. Indeed no life out there.[No intelligent lifeforms on AM].
Right now, the rig is mounted on an adjustable pedestal that I put in the passenger footwell of whatever vehicle I'm using [usually for road trips ] and use a stubby mag mount. It doesn't get out very well with that antenna. I also found my RS noise-cancelling amp mike. It took some searching to find a replacement battery for it, as the OEM mercury batts are now forbidden. If I gang up 5 A76 coin batts I get the 7.5 vdc.
If this CB reboot craze gets bigger, I'll permanently mount it in the Stepside, since I still have the ball mount and HD spring sticking out of the butt of the drivers side fender. I never pulled the Mic clip from over the cigar lighter. It was too handy to hang a plastic litter bag from it.
I tried running a 48'' Shakespeare fiberglass stick on top of my Hustler break-over mast on the spring, but the Highway Patrol stopped me on I-10 one Sunday, and said it was too tall to be legal. Over 13' 6". So I'll have to do some adjustments.
WALRUS CLEAR

['68OrangeSunshine]

Originally Posted by Rods

Great info thanks ‘68OrangeSunshine.......

Hey Rods. You're welcome. User CP never let me know you shouted, so I'm getting back to you 2 weeks later. Go figure.

[70cst]

Originally Posted by jocko

thanks!

[70cst]

This is my NOS Courier Gladiator 23 Channel About 1974-75

[CastIron]

Wow! A 23 channel with ssb. I haven't seen one of those before.

[MrBeast]

Not runnin a CB anymore, but fixing to put one of these in my truck.

It is a Yaesu FT-991A, it can run HF, VHF and UHF, and it puts out 100 watts!

['68OrangeSunshine]

Originally Posted by MrBeast

Not runnin a CB anymore, but fixing to put one of these in my truck.

It is a Yaesu FT-991A, it can run HF, VHF and UHF, and it puts out 100 watts!

Is that a Ham rig? Don't you need a license?

[KQQL IT]

Have a galaxy 99 in my peterbilt. Nobody uses them out west anymore.
My 68 has coax and threaded mount in the roof, wish it didn't but I'll never put a c-b in a pickup.

[70cst]

Originally Posted by KQQL IT

Have a galaxy 99 in my peterbilt. Nobody uses them out west anymore.
My 68 has coax and threaded mount in the roof, wish it didn't but I'll never put a c-b in a pickup.

The 99v is still a very solid radio...

Many of the pick ups in the 67-72 era ran with dual antennas or a 102" whip. I have a S9-375 in my Colorado ... Using a CB in our trucks ... You would be surprised in the amount of chatter just because its in a 67-72 Chevy pick-up.

When in a car show the old CB's in our trucks get lots of looks.

[MrBeast]

Originally Posted by '68OrangeSunshine

Is that a Ham rig? Don't you need a license?

Yes it is an yes you do.

N7ENV

[bbrriiaann1973]

They use to be kool but I couldn't imagine having one today. I have zero interest in CB radios these days.

[CG]

Originally Posted by bbrriiaann1973

I have zero interest in CB radios these days.

What an excellent contribution to a thread asking is "Anyone running CB's in their trucks these days?"

[bbrriiaann1973]

So no i am not running a CB

[70cst]

Originally Posted by bbrriiaann1973

They use to be kool but I couldn't imagine having one today. I have zero interest in CB radios these days.

If you travel for a living you would.

Weather conditions - winter time is very important

Traffic conditions - a 1033 can back you up for miles

Sleep conditions- a conversation helps one focus and stay awake.

Our Trucks - cars and trucks with period CB's gets a lot of looks and replies such as: "What is that?" or "I use to run a CB back in the days.

Jus a few reasons why CB's are still used.

[Triplel40]

Originally Posted by 70cst

If you travel for a living you would.

Weather conditions - winter time is very important

Traffic conditions - a 1033 can back you up for miles

Sleep conditions- a conversation helps one focus and stay awake.

Our Trucks - cars and trucks with period CB's gets a lot of looks and replies such as: "What is that?" or "I use to run a CB back in the days.

Jus a few reasons why CB's are still used.

Offroading too. My friends and I get out in the mountains of Southwest Idaho a lot hitting trails and cell phone service is non-existent. CB's are an easy way to keep in touch with your group of four wheelers.

[70cst]

Originally Posted by Triplel40

Offroading too. My friends and I get out in the mountains of Southwest Idaho a lot hitting trails and cell phone service is non-existent. CB's are an easy way to keep in touch with your group of four wheelers.

Good point

[Rods]

I’m enjoying the COOL cb’s in this thread. Almost ready to put mine in my 67 so the info I’m gathering here has been very helpful. I think it’s very COOL that you guys have so much info for someone like me who thinks vintage trucks and everything COOL that goes along with them is COOL. Sometimes people dont get that a man’s truck is his own ideas as to what is COOL. All the COOL vintage parts he hunts for and puts on his truck to make it COOL. All of his COOL friends that enjoy his COOLNESS etc........Keep all the COOL cb stuff coming because i think cb’s are COOL.

[jocko]

Originally Posted by MrBeast

Not runnin a CB anymore, but fixing to put one of these in my truck.

It is a Yaesu FT-991A, it can run HF, VHF and UHF, and it puts out 100 watts!

So I’m dying to ask what kind of antenna THAT thing needs? Got a pic? I’ll show my ham stupidity here, but i didn’t even know there even was such a thing as a mobile ham. That’s cool.

[KQQL IT]

Originally Posted by 70cst

The 99v is still a very solid radio...

Many of the pick ups in the 67-72 era ran with dual antennas or a 102" whip. I have a S9-375 in my Colorado ... Using a CB in our trucks ... You would be surprised in the amount of chatter just because its in a 67-72 Chevy pick-up.

When in a car show the old CB's in our trucks get lots of looks.

Funny thing is my Galaxy 55 is a far better sounding radio and my preferred radio. But it finally died won't hold any frequency and all over according to the freq counter like down to 23.xxx had to get my 99 out.
Had a good run though got it used in 91 thru 2017

Kinda depressing how little use they get anymore out here

[jocko]

Originally Posted by bbrriiaann1973

They use to be kool but I couldn't imagine having one today. I have zero interest in CB radios these days.

I have zero interest in Fords, but I don’t hang out on the Ford forum just so I can tell those who do that I don’t.

[bbrriiaann1973]

Ok good for you