CB talk

[Mopos]

I couldn't find a section on the forum for CB's. So I guess I will start here.
What is proper "CB language"?

I have one on the bike, and it seems to work, but I don't know how to check it out. How do I use the squelch?

10-4, over and out...
(I think)
:confused:

[Lonewuff]

First the squelch dial is your friend. Turn the dial until the static just quits and then adjust a little as needed. When you are in a city you will have to run it to the top sometimes and will only get line of sight range, or hear 18 wheelers with "Big" radios chatting. Out on the highway you adjust it way down and can get several miles some times. The squelch dial makes the CB tolerable.

Language is something you will pick up in time, although most of the time it is simple conversational english (or spanish if you live near me :) ), but there are some words that are important to know:

Bear / Full Grown Bear = State Police
Mounty = Sheriff
Local = Police
Evil Kinivel = Motorcycle Police
Taking Pictures = Radar or Lasar
Meat Wagon = Ambulance (look for it coming up from either direction)
Aligator = Tire tread lying in the road
Chicken Coop = Weigh Station for trucks (they want to know if it is open)

Most of these will be followed by a number which is the mile marker on the road where this is occuring.

When someone asks: "Hey Westbound, what's it look like behind you?" They want to know if you've seen any Bears and if the Chicken Coops are open. Give them the mile marker of the last Bear you saw, tell them about any debris in the road along with a mile marker, and if there are any accidents or construction ahead. It helps if you can tell them which lane to be in for any of these too. If you are the one asking, and get a response, be sure to either tell them you just hopped on or what conditions are behind you.

Truckers can be your best friend out on the highway too. If they know you are riding behind them, (a lot of truckers ride bikes) they will take good care of you by warning you of objects in the road or Troopers ahead. Return the favor after you pass them and keep them posted. Their radios are almost always stronger than yours, so sometimes they will tell trucks running ahead to look out for you as well. If you are on a two lane they will be more than happy to tell you when it is safe to pass and if you are looking for a good place to eat, sleep, get gas, or just stretch your legs they will know the best places. If you break down, a truck will help if you ask. The truckers know that most of the touring bikes have CB's and they can see the antenna, so lots of times they will start chatting with you after you pass them. You will hear things like "Nice Bike" or "You got ears on (meaning CB) that bike?" They are usually bored and looking for someone to chat with for a few minutes. 99.9% of them are great people and good road allies.

In all my years of riding I have only had one bad incident with a trucker. Two trucks were running together across Wyoming. As I came up behind the rear one, I heard him call to the lead truck and ask " Hey Sidewinder, want to have some fun?" I didn't understand that I was soon to be the fun. As soon as I passed the rear truck the lead truck pulled into my lane and slowed down to the point I was boxed in behind and beside two 18 wheelers. As you are probably well aware the most dangerous place for a motorcycle to be for any length of time is beside, or right behind an 18 wheeler. They pick stuff up off the road and toss it everywhere, they loose tire treads, metal objects fall off, their load shifts, etc etc etc. I backed off and fell behind the rear truck and the lead one pulled back into the slow lane, so I started around again and they repeated their stunt, so I backed off again. I am a retired LEO with years of motor work, so I tend to be an aggressive rider, not to mention VERY vendictive. I backed off until I saw the lead truck start to pull back into his lane and took off around the rear truck. As the lead truck tried to pull into my lane again I hit the gap between the trucks and shot around him on the right. They were not trying to hit me, but only jack with me for some amusment. I won't say why I always carry three golf balls in a pouch on my bike, but I had to get a couple more at the next pro shop and no I won't take a polygraph. The chatter on the CB for the next ten minutes was amusing though. :D

A CB can take the edge of a long run, by giving you someone to talk to or by listening to the truckers bravado. When I get on the highway mine is always on and I keep it on 19. If you get into a long winded conversation with someone on the CB you need to take it to another channel, so tell the person you are talking with to "Go to XY channel" then switch to that channel and ask "Did you make the trip" they will respond if they did.

Enjoy it and stay safe.

[bob_menton]

As far as checking the CB out, get on a highway, tune to Ch. 19, key up and say, "Can I get a radio check"?

And listen to transmission after transmission say, "I got mine", "I got mine", "I got mine" ......

- Bob