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Why??
Nov 4, 2017 23:55:13 GMT -5
Post by Captain Jack on Nov 4, 2017 23:55:13 GMT -5
I've been in radio for over 40 years starting with my Batman walkie talkies in the 60's. Slowly I evolved into the 70's CB scene, hundreds of radio brands, bleed over and guarding "your" channel like a fort. From ground planes to beams the decade went by in a moment. through the 80's and 90,s other things took the center stage. Motorcycles to mortgages, wives, children and jobs, but still the flame burned. About 10 years ago there was a notice that the local amateur radio group was having a VE testing session at the end of the week. I spent the rest of the week studying for the tech. license and thanks to all the years playing with radios, I passed the tech. and general. Now it's 10 years later and I'm a extra class ham, have thousands of dollars in radios and antennas. I've talked all over the world using over a thousand watts. Could someone tell me why, WHY am I drawn to CB rigs. Not modern CBs or big amps, not looking for hundreds channels or shooting "skip". I miss the days getting on the radio talking to friends when it was a big deal talking to people a couple towns away. I wonder now that the people that experienced CB in the 70's are nearing retirement, if they also will be drawn to the flame that is CB.
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Sandbagger
Administrator/The Boss
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Post by Sandbagger on Nov 5, 2017 9:34:27 GMT -5
I've been in radio for over 40 years starting with my Batman walkie talkies in the 60's. Slowly I evolved into the 70's CB scene, hundreds of radio brands, bleed over and guarding "your" channel like a fort. From ground planes to beams the decade went by in a moment. through the 80's and 90,s other things took the center stage. Motorcycles to mortgages, wives, children and jobs, but still the flame burned. About 10 years ago there was a notice that the local amateur radio group was having a VE testing session at the end of the week. I spent the rest of the week studying for the tech. license and thanks to all the years playing with radios, I passed the tech. and general. Now it's 10 years later and I'm a extra class ham, have thousands of dollars in radios and antennas. I've talked all over the world using over a thousand watts. Could someone tell me why, WHY am I drawn to CB rigs. Not modern CBs or big amps, not looking for hundreds channels or shooting "skip". I miss the days getting on the radio talking to friends when it was a big deal talking to people a couple towns away. I wonder now that the people that experienced CB in the 70's are nearing retirement, if they also will be drawn to the flame that is CB. View AttachmentView Attachment You are not alone my friend. I took nearly the exact same path. Got my first 100 mW radio for Christmas in 1969, my first 23 channel radio in 1974, had a bunch of radios and antennas. I got my tech ham license in 1982 but pretty much stayed involved in both services all through the 80's and 90's, although CB faded from use for a bit in the early 90's. But as I get older, I look back to all sorts of things nostalgic from my childhood. From tube radios, to vintage period cars, to TV shows from back then. It all stems from the belief that life was simpler and things were more enjoyable back then, and by trying to recreate those things in our lives, we can return to that happier time. As for radio, I've enjoyed the capabilities of ham radio, built my own 220 Mhz repeater, and had many spirited conversations, and gotten to know many different people. But the simple fun on CB, just yacking it up with the local crew, and sometimes getting a little silly in the process, holds a stronger appeal for me. And yes, it's with vintage gear, not the modern stuff. I have a fair collection of period pieces, from a Tram D201, and Browning Golden Eagle, all the way down to my original Lafayette Comstat 25. My local group also mainly consists of "old timers" who are also reliving the good old days to some extent. That's why we created "Classic Radio Roundup" every Wednesday night, so we can get together with each other using a different radio each week, and try to recapture that 70's style CB'ing.
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Why??
Nov 5, 2017 15:30:38 GMT -5
Post by SIX-SHOOTER on Nov 5, 2017 15:30:38 GMT -5
I think most people will not be drawn back because of all of the children on the 11 meter band.Few people actually communicate on the CB these days.All they want to do is key on each other & see who is covering up who like it's a competition & not a hobby for communications.I have a small group that I talk with & that's about it because I could care less how much power they have or who they can cover up.None in our group use noise toys,reverb,or talk back just clear clean audio.If the children on the band would act like adults then CB might have a chance but that will never happen since those idiots are teaching their children the bad habits & the stupidity will continue.I connect my Antron to my CB's about two or three times a month & the rest of the time it's connected to one of my Ham Radios.I grew up on CB Radio starting in 1965 & I still collect CB radios but I use them much less because of the stupidity on the band which has pushed me further & further away from the 11 meter band the older I get.I stopped playing childish games when I grew up but so many just can't do the same & won't until they are dead & gone.I have some of the best CB radios ever built but morons make them far less fun than ever in my years of being on the CB Band. SIX-SHOOTER
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Sandbagger
Administrator/The Boss
Posts: 6,247
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Why??
Nov 5, 2017 18:03:18 GMT -5
Post by Sandbagger on Nov 5, 2017 18:03:18 GMT -5
I think most people will not be drawn back because of all of the children on the 11 meter band.Few people actually communicate on the CB these days.All they want to do is key on each other & see who is covering up who like it's a competition & not a hobby for communications.I have a small group that I talk with & that's about it because I could care less how much power they have or who they can cover up.None in our group use noise toys,reverb,or talk back just clear clean audio.If the children on the band would act like adults then CB might have a chance but that will never happen since those idiots are teaching their children the bad habits & the stupidity will continue.I connect my Antron to my CB's about two or three times a month & the rest of the time it's connected to one of my Ham Radios.I grew up on CB Radio starting in 1965 & I still collect CB radios but I use them much less because of the stupidity on the band which has pushed me further & further away from the 11 meter band the older I get.I stopped playing childish games when I grew up but so many just can't do the same & won't until they are dead & gone.I have some of the best CB radios ever built but morons make them far less fun than ever in my years of being on the CB Band. SIX-SHOOTER I agree that there are a bunch of jackwagons on CB, but their influence varies by locale. 10 years ago, my local area was plagued by the "All-knobs-to-the-right, let's-see-who-can-key-on-who" types. But lately that has calmed down and the old timers have come back out of the woodwork and we're slowly but surely having old school fun again. Some people are lucky to have local conditions similar to mine. Others have no one at all in their local areas, and if it weren't for skip, they'd have no one to talk to. And still others have a situation similar to what you have. It was that situation that pushed me more into ham radio in the early 90's. But while ham radio may be a bit more civilized (certain stations on 75 meters not-withstanding), the conversations tend to be a bit more "dry". And while I enjoy a good technical conversation, I don't like a steady diet of it. But there are interesting people running 40 and 75 meters AM. But there is something about CB radio. Maybe it's because that's where I started, and the nostalgic draw could be what's responsible. Maybe the loose nature of the conversations and the wider diversity of people may be part of it as well. But as long as there are decent people to talk with, I'll always have CB radio.
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Why??
Nov 5, 2017 22:57:33 GMT -5
Post by SIX-SHOOTER on Nov 5, 2017 22:57:33 GMT -5
I agree that there are a bunch of jackwagons on CB, but their influence varies by locale. 10 years ago, my local area was plagued by the "All-knobs-to-the-right, let's-see-who-can-key-on-who" types. But lately that has calmed down and the old timers have come back out of the woodwork and we're slowly but surely having old school fun again. Some people are lucky to have local conditions similar to mine. Others have no one at all in their local areas, and if it weren't for skip, they'd have no one to talk to. And still others have a situation similar to what you have. It was that situation that pushed me more into ham radio in the early 90's. But while ham radio may be a bit more civilized (certain stations on 75 meters not-withstanding), the conversations tend to be a bit more "dry". And while I enjoy a good technical conversation, I don't like a steady diet of it. But there are interesting people running 40 and 75 meters AM. But there is something about CB radio. Maybe it's because that's where I started, and the nostalgic draw could be what's responsible. Maybe the loose nature of the conversations and the wider diversity of people may be part of it as well. But as long as there are decent people to talk with, I'll always have CB radio. I may always have a CB but it does not say that it will be turned ON.I turn mine ON & if skip is rolling I turn it back OFF.I have no interest in talking skip on 11 meters when I can work the world almost 24/7 on the Ham Bands.I only want to talk local & that's it.I currently own around (70) CB Radios & I'm always buying more when I find a great deal or something I want in my personal collection.I use just a few most of the time such as my TRAM D64 which is in my pickup truck & my Browning Golden Eagle MK IVA,DAK Mark X,President Madison or one of the other dozen or so base radios I own.I will even plug a mobile into the power supply every now & then just because I can but I don't deal with the children who have gotten the CB Band now Titled the Children's Band.I was a State Law Enforcement Officer for 30 years & I have dealt with more than my share of adults who never grew up & now I'm not required too deal with them & I won't.A look at today's society shows that it's not just on the CB that these children exist but everywhere.I have antennas for 40 & 80 meters but I Rarely ever use either of them.I much prefer 6,10,12,15,17,or 20 meters where I can point a beam & use the Kilowatt plus & know I'm being heard.I'm not a fan of wire antennas though I have them for 40,60,75,& 160 meters when I feel the desire which is not very often.To some I'll always be SIX-SHOOTER but to others I'll always be W4KVW -Wanted 4 Kissing Vanna White.Like I said above,I started with CB in 1965 & I'm sure when I die I'll still have plenty of them & somebody or a lot of somebody's will be happy they may then own my personal collection & I'll not even care. SIX-SHOOTER
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