Does anyone utilize CB radios for traffic info anymore?

[ajg617]

My phone GPS tells me when to turn in advance. I don't have to look at anything. Whatever GPS system you like to use, I believe they are all much better than any CB radio. It's funny how all the phones in peoples cars are hooked up to big brother and they know almost instantly when traffic slows down. Phones are everywhere and there is that much data at every second of the day. You can't say that about CB radios.

But hey, that is just me. Accept all the data out there and make your own decision if you turn left or right.

I ran into an issue with just relying on the phone on I-29 three times in the Omaha/Council Bluffs area and I-70 in Indianapolis - google maps did not know I-29 was completely shut down in both directions on two trips and kept turning me to get back on I-29 when it was closed. Following truckers wasn't an option because who knows where there ultimate destination was. I had to rely on state road signs and the instructions were different northbound and southbound. It also bit me in Indianapolis where I-70 East was closed for major construction and the re-route signs simply disappeared after the one telling me to take I-465 West to I-65 north to Chicago (WHAT????). I decided to go I-465 East and pick up I-70 (which was shut down in downtown) except the entrance back on to I-70E was closed due to construction. I might still be circling I-465 if I hadn't pulled off an exit, found a parking lot and actually looked at my truckers map. My conclusion was that Google Maps may know about accidents and temp construction but isn't necessarily in sync with the state DOTs on long term construction.

 

[Butcher]

Yup, nothing is 100% but I tell you this, 99% of the time it's right. I'm good with those odds. Obviously, towing an object that is high might be a really good reason to find a GPS that data to get you on the right path.

 

[ajg617]

Yup, nothing is 100% but I tell you this, 99% of the time it's right. I'm good with those odds. Obviously, towing an object that is high might be a really good reason to find a GPS that data to get you on the right path.

Have an RV890, RAM nav, and a CB. Nothing alerted to the long-term interstate closures. CB was useless - had to turn the squelch up so high couldn't hear any conversations. Google and my RAM nav showed the construction icon, but nothing about re-routing. For I-29, I followed the signs. Indy was another story.

 

[Santa61]

Have thought about whether it would be worthwhile to install a CB radio for use on the road when there is a traffic jam or anything like that where it would be helpful to have real-time info. I've heard that even truckers don't use them as much because they use phones or just don't like to hear the nonsense chatter. Curious if others have experience with it?

I know there are apps like Waze or even Google Maps that show delays but you can't always tell what's going on, how long it will be, or if you should move into a specific lane, exit, etc...

Chad,

I have a midland portable handheld CB that has the conversion kit included for in-vehicle use. I do have a fire stick antenna mounted on my RAM truck. Very convenient installation.

That said, the utility of the CB is minimal at best. Foul language is intolerable, there are persons who have “big” radios that are daily jumping on to hear themselves talk which then chokes the channel band. In CO very few people use the radio for traffic information unlike TX.

The two reasons I have kept my radio is because of the Weather Band frequency and the fact CO State Patrol monitors channel 19 from their truck patrol vehicles.

 

[Riverbug]

Chad,

I have a midland portable handheld CB that has the conversion kit included for in-vehicle use. I do have a fire stick antenna mounted on my RAM truck. Very convenient installation.

That said, the utility of the CB is minimal at best. Foul language is intolerable, there are persons who have “big” radios that are daily jumping on to hear themselves talk which then chokes the channel band. In CO very few people use the radio for traffic information unlike TX.

The two reasons I have kept my radio is because of the Weather Band frequency and the fact CO State Patrol monitors channel 19 from their truck patrol vehicles.

Thanks Keith. Appreciate the insight. I've decided not to get one based on the responses here. Was curious how helpful it would be mainly for traveling to/from FL. We're on an Alaska trip now so probably would have been less useful for this trip anyway I think.

 

[RV2600RB]

AZ has a DOT number to call for crash and construction info. It’s listed on signs along the interstate.
Guessing not all states have that?
Rich

 

[Riverbug]

AZ has a DOT number to call for crash and construction info. It’s listed on signs along the interstate.
Guessing not all states have that?
Rich

I have actually tried those before but found they either didn't have the information yet or were not helpful. It's like the radio stations you can tune to for weather on a specific part of the road, seldom find any useful information them. So I haven't tried them for quite a while now. I can use 511 apps for many states too, but those aren't helpful when there's an accident and you just want to know how long it's going to be, or whether you should exit if given the opportunity, where to go around, etc. Realtime info is what I was looking for.

 

[RV2600RB]

I haven't seen anything that will tell you when or where to exit or how long a wait it will be in real time. You'll need a helicopter feed for that (or a crystal ball).
Just have to go with the flow. I'm in no hurry....
Rich

 

[Riverbug]

I haven't seen anything that will tell you when or where to exit or how long a wait it will be in real time. You'll need a helicopter feed for that (or a crystal ball).
Just have to go with the flow. I'm in no hurry....
Rich

Agree. That's what I've been doing. Just wondered how useful a CB would be. Based on responses here, not.

 

[MtnGuy]

We have a CB in our truck. Even with the foul language and skip, it stays on most of the time while traveling. The truckers don't talk much nowadays, except when there is a traffic hold up. A few times, it has saved us potentially hours of waiting in traffic due to accidents. If our GPS shows a route that changes, then I listen to the truckers on best options for that particular situation, then make the best decision based on that, our truckers map, and Waze. And sometimes we still get stuck in traffic.

 

[RV2600RB]

FIL gave me a cb and antenna years ago. They’re still sitting in the shop gathering dust.
Rich