CB Radios & HD touring bikes
#21
09-11-2017, 09:38 AM
Ultimate HDF Member
This was mostly what I had in mind. I've done quite a bit of touring, and its surprising the number of interstate sections where I've had little or zero bars on my cell phone. If anything went sideways out there, my cell phone wouldn't be of much use. I'm looking for a secondary comm option, and the CB offers that - understanding that transmission range isn't optimal. Possibly a different antenna may improve that. (?)
#22
09-11-2017, 09:49 AM
Cruiser
Here are the advantages I see to a CB over other options:
Compatibility - If someone else has a CB, it just works. You don't have to ask them what brand they have and you don't have to pair with them.
Reliability - Within eyesight, it's dead reliable. Outside of that range, quality degrades gradually. Cell phones get dropped signals. Bluetooth devices go quickly from perfect reception to unintelligible.
Broadcasting - No other communication option works with large groups. This is particularly important in large group rides where someone in the front can alert everyone behind him simultaneously about a hazard.
Where CB's fail:
Privacy - Someone can always be listening
Simplicity of use - PTT is a PITA
Full Duplex - Cellphones and most bluetooth devices allow both parties to talk at the same time.
Compatibility - If someone else has a CB, it just works. You don't have to ask them what brand they have and you don't have to pair with them.
Reliability - Within eyesight, it's dead reliable. Outside of that range, quality degrades gradually. Cell phones get dropped signals. Bluetooth devices go quickly from perfect reception to unintelligible.
Broadcasting - No other communication option works with large groups. This is particularly important in large group rides where someone in the front can alert everyone behind him simultaneously about a hazard.
Where CB's fail:
Privacy - Someone can always be listening
Simplicity of use - PTT is a PITA
Full Duplex - Cellphones and most bluetooth devices allow both parties to talk at the same time.
The following users liked this post:
SGME9 (10-08-2017)
#23
09-11-2017, 10:18 AM
Road Warrior
yes they are.
CB is still the best option for group rides when communicating with more than a handful of bikes at a time. For HOG Chapter Rides with our group, you don't lead or sweep without a CB, many different situations where group communication is not only critical, but also entertaining.
CB is still the best option for group rides when communicating with more than a handful of bikes at a time. For HOG Chapter Rides with our group, you don't lead or sweep without a CB, many different situations where group communication is not only critical, but also entertaining.
The following 3 users liked this post by bmaier:
#24
09-11-2017, 02:48 PM
Outstanding HDF Member
My layman's understanding of the problem is primarily with the "grounding". The CB and/or the antennae are grounded to a small metal/plastic surface. The short antennae doesn't help. I believe there are fixes for the relocation of the ground. I've seen several threads offering advice.
One source from google: https://www.wearecb.com/cb-antenna-ground-plane.html
Last edited by cficole; 09-11-2017 at 02:51 PM.
#25
09-11-2017, 02:53 PM
Ultimate HDF Member
#27
09-11-2017, 05:47 PM
My last bike as well as my current bike had a CB radio.
I used the CB on my last bike much more than I have on my current bike, especially on my trip to AK and I think it had more range with the big "whip" antennas that the little "shorties" that I have on my current bike.
I had a CB back when we had to have a FCC license (I still remember my call letters) and not much has changed.
There are still many idiots out there who like to use the mic to start trouble and use foul language but on the other hand there are more nice folks than bad.
True, a cell phone is clearer and also has unlimited range but as someone else noted, how do you get someone's number that you want to talk with?
I doubt that I'll get it on my next bike/trike as I'm not willing to pay that much for the CB but they can come in handy sometimes.
I used the CB on my last bike much more than I have on my current bike, especially on my trip to AK and I think it had more range with the big "whip" antennas that the little "shorties" that I have on my current bike.
I had a CB back when we had to have a FCC license (I still remember my call letters) and not much has changed.
There are still many idiots out there who like to use the mic to start trouble and use foul language but on the other hand there are more nice folks than bad.
True, a cell phone is clearer and also has unlimited range but as someone else noted, how do you get someone's number that you want to talk with?
I doubt that I'll get it on my next bike/trike as I'm not willing to pay that much for the CB but they can come in handy sometimes.
#28
09-12-2017, 06:28 AM
#29
09-12-2017, 06:54 AM
Road Master
Here is one option:
https://www.sierra-mc.com/proddetail...-COBRA-IMC-KIT
I bought one of these when I put aftermarket audio in my Road Glide. It had the factory CB but I only ever used it on HOG rides so I decided to upgrade the audio and use this instead. The Cobra unit actually works better than the stock Midland unit did and, since I only use it on HOG rides it's a simple matter to uninstall it for the rest of the time. Yes, the truckers still talk on 19 but they rarely say anything worth listening to and, frankly, all that noise gets on my nerves.
https://www.sierra-mc.com/proddetail...-COBRA-IMC-KIT
I bought one of these when I put aftermarket audio in my Road Glide. It had the factory CB but I only ever used it on HOG rides so I decided to upgrade the audio and use this instead. The Cobra unit actually works better than the stock Midland unit did and, since I only use it on HOG rides it's a simple matter to uninstall it for the rest of the time. Yes, the truckers still talk on 19 but they rarely say anything worth listening to and, frankly, all that noise gets on my nerves.
#30
09-12-2017, 08:03 AM
Here is one option:
https://www.sierra-mc.com/proddetail...-COBRA-IMC-KIT
I bought one of these when I put aftermarket audio in my Road Glide. It had the factory CB but I only ever used it on HOG rides so I decided to upgrade the audio and use this instead. The Cobra unit actually works better than the stock Midland unit did and, since I only use it on HOG rides it's a simple matter to uninstall it for the rest of the time. Yes, the truckers still talk on 19 but they rarely say anything worth listening to and, frankly, all that noise gets on my nerves.
https://www.sierra-mc.com/proddetail...-COBRA-IMC-KIT
I bought one of these when I put aftermarket audio in my Road Glide. It had the factory CB but I only ever used it on HOG rides so I decided to upgrade the audio and use this instead. The Cobra unit actually works better than the stock Midland unit did and, since I only use it on HOG rides it's a simple matter to uninstall it for the rest of the time. Yes, the truckers still talk on 19 but they rarely say anything worth listening to and, frankly, all that noise gets on my nerves.
