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CB radio: Is it over and out?
- Thread starter Unit 194
- Start date
The last time I listened to 11meters here in Chicago most of the channels were dead, 19 and 6 were busy it the rest were crickets
11 Meters is dead right now because solar cycle 25 is not set to begin until 2019. Some say it has already started, but that remains to be seen. The popularity of 11 meter (cb) communications rises and falls with the beginning and end of the solar cycles. As usual there will be a big increase in CB activity starting sometime next year and continuing until the late 2020s. Years ago there was a lot of local base/mobile communications on the cb channels, but HMOs, local govt antenna restrictions, and cell phones have deleted most of that.
So can we say that ,"Cb is dead." The answer is "yes". It was created as a means of local radio communication, and hardly anyone uses it for that purpose anymore.
" Is Dxing dead ??" Not hardly. When the conditions are right, the number of dxers out there is astounding. The internet and forums like this one have helped the average Dxer improve his technical know-how, and now there are a LOT of strong clean-sounding stations ready to go on 11 meters when the band opens up. I'm in the midst of upgrading my station, preparing for cycle 25.
Can't hardly wait.
- 399
So can we say that ,"Cb is dead." The answer is "yes". It was created as a means of local radio communication, and hardly anyone uses it for that purpose anymore.
" Is Dxing dead ??" Not hardly. When the conditions are right, the number of dxers out there is astounding. The internet and forums like this one have helped the average Dxer improve his technical know-how, and now there are a LOT of strong clean-sounding stations ready to go on 11 meters when the band opens up. I'm in the midst of upgrading my station, preparing for cycle 25.
Can't hardly wait.
- 399
I have 40 channels all to myself. Brew's radio service.
There is 1 local I can talk to regularly who is 35 miles to the south in the next big city south of me, but no truckers, and right now no skip.
People are right about the backups/traffic - that is the only time the truckers seem to turn them on. I've driven hundreds of miles recently on the I-5 without hearing anyone on 19.
Another interesting fact is I've seen maybe 1 or 2 SSB CB radios for sale on craigslist in my area in the last couple of years. Used to be a couple every month. I used to find awesome stuff at garage sales as well. All that stuff is gone apparently or people are just throwing them away. Haven't seen one at a garage sale in a couple of years either. eBay has also dried up a lot - less used radios on there as well.
There is 1 local I can talk to regularly who is 35 miles to the south in the next big city south of me, but no truckers, and right now no skip.
People are right about the backups/traffic - that is the only time the truckers seem to turn them on. I've driven hundreds of miles recently on the I-5 without hearing anyone on 19.
Another interesting fact is I've seen maybe 1 or 2 SSB CB radios for sale on craigslist in my area in the last couple of years. Used to be a couple every month. I used to find awesome stuff at garage sales as well. All that stuff is gone apparently or people are just throwing them away. Haven't seen one at a garage sale in a couple of years either. eBay has also dried up a lot - less used radios on there as well.
Past 3 to 4 weeks, nothing but DX most of the day here in Texas. Past few days lasting well into the night.
Every time another shop closes, or another garage tech dies our repair volume picks up.
Sounds backwards, getting more business while a market is shrinking.
Can't imagine the trend will continue forever, but it has kept our backlog healthy for the last ten or fifteen years.
73
Sounds backwards, getting more business while a market is shrinking.
Can't imagine the trend will continue forever, but it has kept our backlog healthy for the last ten or fifteen years.
73
I'm lucky I work near Houston always something on 19. Now when I drive back home into the boondocks it gets real quiet except for the Superbowl
I do not think 11m is going to die off any time soon. All things have their time and season and come and go in popularity. It will likely never be what it was in the 1970's, 1980's and early 1990's.
If anything the current crop of terrible FCC accepted CB's are what will kill the hobby good grief they are total junk! I hate to say it but it is not wise to purchase modern CB's. If you can not find or afford a decent older CB no newer than early 1990's you are truly better off with a black box/ rice box radio!
If anything the current crop of terrible FCC accepted CB's are what will kill the hobby good grief they are total junk! I hate to say it but it is not wise to purchase modern CB's. If you can not find or afford a decent older CB no newer than early 1990's you are truly better off with a black box/ rice box radio!
I agree with 399, CB used to be local talk but no more. On channel 28, the DX conditions have been hot and cold.....but when hot it is really strong.
The way things are evolving, it might be pointless to have a vertical beam.
The way things are evolving, it might be pointless to have a vertical beam.
Its the chicken and the egg syndrome, they are making crappy radios because there is no market for them and nobody wants to get into 11 meters because the radios are crappy...