Who all carry a CB Radio in your Born Free?
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Who all carry a CB Radio in your Born Free?
I have a brand new CB and was wondering if it was worth installing in my Born Free?
Or is this just "old school"?
If so, what about the antenna?
I see those antenna brackets that attached to the edge of the engine hood.
Are these pretty good? Whats the best antenna?
Thanks..
Or is this just "old school"?
If so, what about the antenna?
I see those antenna brackets that attached to the edge of the engine hood.
Are these pretty good? Whats the best antenna?
Thanks..
Steve
2011 Born Free 22 foot RSK, rear side (corner) kitchen, E350, 29k miles.
Our first motorhome. Lots to learn. Thanks.
CA/OR border
2011 Born Free 22 foot RSK, rear side (corner) kitchen, E350, 29k miles.
Our first motorhome. Lots to learn. Thanks.
CA/OR border
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- Posts: 50
- Joined: Mon Apr 21, 2008 11:04 am
Re: Who all carry a CB Radio in your Born Free?
If you're on a caravan trip, it's essential, especially in Alaska where cellphone coverage is spotty.
During normal travels, listening to Channel 19 with the volume turned down may occasionally give you an alert to traffic tie-ups -- if you can stand to have one ear cocked and ignore the bulk of the trucker conversations.
Born Free mounts the antenna on the hood because it's one of the few areas of metal that will supply a semi-ground plane. If you try to mount on the roof, you'll need to mount a metal plate on top of the fiberglass to form an equivalent ground plane.
The only other option is to use a NGP (No Ground Plane) antenna, which uses a special coaxial cable to serve as the ground plane. They can be a bit tricky to wire up; if that's the way you want to go, you might try a CB shop at a nearby truck stop. (They're also a good place to get feedback on antenna manufacturers -- too many to discuss here.)
During normal travels, listening to Channel 19 with the volume turned down may occasionally give you an alert to traffic tie-ups -- if you can stand to have one ear cocked and ignore the bulk of the trucker conversations.
Born Free mounts the antenna on the hood because it's one of the few areas of metal that will supply a semi-ground plane. If you try to mount on the roof, you'll need to mount a metal plate on top of the fiberglass to form an equivalent ground plane.
The only other option is to use a NGP (No Ground Plane) antenna, which uses a special coaxial cable to serve as the ground plane. They can be a bit tricky to wire up; if that's the way you want to go, you might try a CB shop at a nearby truck stop. (They're also a good place to get feedback on antenna manufacturers -- too many to discuss here.)
Marilynn & Gerry Stoloff
Coconut Creek, FL
Former owner of 26' Mobility
Coconut Creek, FL
Former owner of 26' Mobility
Re: Who all carry a CB Radio in your Born Free?
our born free came with the CB radio installed.
in the 3 years we have owned it, have used the cb radio maybe 2-3 times when we were in bumper to bumper traffic and couldn't see what was causing the delay.
so on average, one time per year; not sure usage would justify expense of buying and installing.
john hepkin
in the 3 years we have owned it, have used the cb radio maybe 2-3 times when we were in bumper to bumper traffic and couldn't see what was causing the delay.
so on average, one time per year; not sure usage would justify expense of buying and installing.
john hepkin
John & Janet Hepkin
2009 28' RSB Kodiak Chassis 8.1L
Previously owned 2004 Chinook Destiny
2009 28' RSB Kodiak Chassis 8.1L
Previously owned 2004 Chinook Destiny
Re: Who all carry a CB Radio in your Born Free?
Here is a link on this forum to a thread about CB antenna installation on Born Free coaches that contains information that might be of interest to you: http://www.bornfreervclub.org/bulletin_ ... sc&start=0
The range of mine is about 5 miles with the antenna installation in my coach as shown is some of the photos I posted in the above thread.
I don't really use mine much but it is nice for caravanning. A trucker once drove up along side me in the other lane on I-80 holding his CB mic so I could see it. I switched to the trucker's channel and he advised me of the interstate being closed ahead due to an accident. So, I followed him off the interstate at the next exit. The interstate was blocked for almost 3-1/2 hours and I would have been caught up in that blockage if it were not for that trucker and the fact that I did have a CB installed.
The range of mine is about 5 miles with the antenna installation in my coach as shown is some of the photos I posted in the above thread.
I don't really use mine much but it is nice for caravanning. A trucker once drove up along side me in the other lane on I-80 holding his CB mic so I could see it. I switched to the trucker's channel and he advised me of the interstate being closed ahead due to an accident. So, I followed him off the interstate at the next exit. The interstate was blocked for almost 3-1/2 hours and I would have been caught up in that blockage if it were not for that trucker and the fact that I did have a CB installed.
Bill Hemme - Spencer, Iowa
E-mail: whemme@earthlink.net
2002 Born Free (Ford E-450 V10) 26' RSB
2016 VW Golf GTI - toad
E-mail: whemme@earthlink.net
2002 Born Free (Ford E-450 V10) 26' RSB
2016 VW Golf GTI - toad
Re: Who all carry a CB Radio in your Born Free?
I have stored a handheld portable CB radio in one of my covey holes for 10 years thinking I may need it some time. Since I have never needed it, I guess I better pull it out and check out the batteries. They are probably growing acidic fuzz by now, yikes!
Bill
Bill
Barb & Bill
2004 Born Free 22' Built for Two (Sold)
no longer towing a 2008 Smart ForTwo
Escondido, CA
2004 Born Free 22' Built for Two (Sold)
no longer towing a 2008 Smart ForTwo
Escondido, CA
- Mike Astley
- Posts: 171
- Joined: Sun Sep 10, 2006 10:40 pm
Re: Who all carry a CB Radio in your Born Free?
I put mine in originally as it was required for a caravan. Recent caravans I have been on have only required FMRS radios.
The "about once a year" average usage is right..just use it when in a major traffic jam to find out what's going on and listening for options.
Mine also has a weather radio built in and I use that often to hear what's happening when the weather turns bad.
The "about once a year" average usage is right..just use it when in a major traffic jam to find out what's going on and listening for options.
Mine also has a weather radio built in and I use that often to hear what's happening when the weather turns bad.
1999 26RSB
Fort Collins, CO
Fort Collins, CO
Re: Who all carry a CB Radio in your Born Free?
I was wondering about the FMRS radios. I have a pair of these too.
I also have a pair of older Portable CB radios I got free from the Bank.
Remember the days when the Bank would give you free stuff?
So radios must be old.
But still work... not sure of "distance".
Thanks for all the input.
I also have a pair of older Portable CB radios I got free from the Bank.
Remember the days when the Bank would give you free stuff?
So radios must be old.
But still work... not sure of "distance".
Thanks for all the input.
Steve
2011 Born Free 22 foot RSK, rear side (corner) kitchen, E350, 29k miles.
Our first motorhome. Lots to learn. Thanks.
CA/OR border
2011 Born Free 22 foot RSK, rear side (corner) kitchen, E350, 29k miles.
Our first motorhome. Lots to learn. Thanks.
CA/OR border
Re: Who all carry a CB Radio in your Born Free?
I like Waze on my phone better than using a CB, much less intrusive. It has automatically re-routed me around traffic issues numerous times, as well as alerting one of revenue raising locations. The amount of data it uses is quite small.
Ed & Beth
2003 Born Free 26' RSB: SOLD March 2016
replace by a house near the beach
2003 Born Free 26' RSB: SOLD March 2016
replace by a house near the beach
Re: Who all carry a CB Radio in your Born Free?
I must be a contrarian but when traveling I use the CB at some time each day. Most often to see what is causing a bumper to bumper problem.
Bornfree (1999 Rear Kitchen)
Traveling with Chester (The Boxer) - at least in spirit
Traveling with Chester (The Boxer) - at least in spirit
Re: Who all carry a CB Radio in your Born Free?
I carried and used a CB for two years while traveling. I found the I could only get out to about 1/2 mile and I didn't like that, so I got my ham license. Now I can get out 50 + miles. This works great when traveling with my son in his motorhome. We usually are about 1-2 miles apart and can always make contact.
Lee-TheBizMan
2005 BFT - named "Tilly"
2012 Scion xD "Toad"
2005 BFT - named "Tilly"
2012 Scion xD "Toad"
Re: Who all carry a CB Radio in your Born Free?
Everyone should have a CB for when the cell towers go down in a natural (or other) disaster. Just my humble opinion.
Besides, they are cool and you can listen to truckers chat about pretty much nothing.
So I do recommend having an "offline" means of communication that is somewhat 'off the grid' (or at least just needs the RV power to listen to).
My 3 cents.
Besides, they are cool and you can listen to truckers chat about pretty much nothing.
So I do recommend having an "offline" means of communication that is somewhat 'off the grid' (or at least just needs the RV power to listen to).
My 3 cents.