I'm new to CBs, and am curious if there are any general rules on channels to be used by bikers?

This is what I have found out regarding channel useage:

Channel 3: considered prepped/ survivalist channel...whatever that is
Channel 4: 4X4 Channel
Channel 6: Many operators using illegal high power amps
Channel 9: Emergency Channel
Channel 13: unofficial RV channel
Channel 14: Chrystal used in many walkie-talkies
Channel 17: North-southbound truckers
Channel 19: East-West bound truckers. Also, as the center frequency, most antenaes are most efficient.
Channel 30-35: typically used for SSB
Channel 38: SSB Hailing

We will be using ours for a tour of several bikes that have CBs. We will be in general visual distance. So, we want to use what is in place.

What do you think?

 

our group uses channel 21 since it is close to the middle of the band for the best reception/transmission -- bikes don't have a big ground plane -- so anything helps that sounds plausible

 

To be fair the widespread use of CB radios beyond the trucking industry has dwindled such that I would bet when you are out on the road you could just about use any channel without an issue.

I would use a channel other than 19 unless you are traveling near truckers and would like to know what they are up to or would like to politely share your intent to pass or other such. Personally we always used higher frequencies for clarity and it got us out of the band of the kids that had cheap radios that could get the higher channels.
My personal choice is lucky number 7

 

Would a hand held unit be able to communicate to my friends riding their Ultras?
Are the units that come on the touring Harleys CB radios?
I ride a Dyna I would like to hear what people in our group are talking about during our rides. What do I need to get to do that?

 

Sure, IF the hand held unit is a CB unit.


Most hand-held, two-way units these days are the "family type" radios and are not on a CB channel frequency.

 

One group I ride with uses Ch 2 on CB radio....second group uses 21. Several riders have hand-held CB radios that work just fine (not long-distance range though).

 

We've used 1 and 11.

 

Retired Trucker here, use any channel that you wish except 9. Whatever one is quiet. Very few Truckers even use them anymore they are all on the phone now.😙

 

We use 3 all the time in our riding club.

 

I found lower channels are working better (Longer range) than higher channels. I used channel 1 with a group last weekend and was able to speak to a rider almost two miles away.