Why doesn't anyone talk on the radio anymore?

Nobody talks on CB's anymore because they are not a particularly good communication tool. Very limited range unless Propagation(skip) is in which is rare these days due to the lack of solar activity over the last 20+ years.

While a lot of "big CBer's" think they are cool with their 500 watt "Kicker", the bottom line is this, perhaps someone outside of normal transmission range can hear you, but you can't hear them unless they are equally rigged and even then, they still don't have the range of my milliwatt 80meter rig.

In short, CB's are the preschool of radio. I know. I was heavily into CB back in the 80's when many people still had them. If you really want to be a real radio operator, toss the toys in the trash where they belong and get your Amateur Radio License and join the big leagues where we can talk around the world on one watt or less.

 

I'm also a ham operator (general class license) but I can tell you, your statement of "propagation is rare these days" is anything but true. Skip is very much alive and has been active the past few days.

I will agree with you that CB's aren't the best in the world, particularly because the FCC made use of a band that was subject to propagation, yet told us not to talk past 150 miles on what is supposed to be locally used band.

 

I didn't say there was no propagation. I said it was rare. When we get back to the days of talking around the world on 10m at noon, then we will have real, consistent propagation.

I to am a General Class Ham.

 

I am not a Ham. Never took the time nor had a enough desire I guess to study and get my ticket. That said, there is still plenty of reasons to use a CB, there just aren't many necessary reasons. Thus the fad is over. They are still used in work environments like trucking, but most only use them when necessary. There are other things to entertain us now. Plus, there is not much pleasantness on the CB anymore.( or ham bands either from what I'm told, at least some of them) You get on the air and somebody wants to start a fight or be hateful. Folks got tired of that crap.

 

Rodger beeps and noise toys are alright if used reasonably I used to hate western Ohio listening to "sproingg" every 20 seconds for 3 hours straight. The operator never said a word just the sproingg noise toy.

I think part of the problem is the perceived anonymity. CB used to be monitored by locals who defended the air waves from trouble makers if the offending operator stepped to far out of line or became to annoying the locals would inform them "go ahead keep talking a few more transmissions and we'll have you triangulated"
It would be nice to set up remote internet connected listening posts and use GPS like technology to calculate their 20 instantly as soon as they start the transmission. It wouldn't stop it all but being able to tell them where they are (even if they deny it) would put a kink in that feeling of anonymity.
It's also possible for a computer to "fingerprint a radio so they would have a harder time changing/hiding identities.

Add a record/playback so you can also prove to the well meaning hand how that supper swing kit makes him sound like he has a mouth full of marbles.(and how many channels he is splattering now)
I don't think it would take to many of these to cause a ripple effect.

 

I'll keep my CB right next to my ham radios thank you. Advice like this is what gets HAMs a bad rap.. They both serve their purpose. And as a HAM I keep a CB not only for trucking, but for disaster preparedness. If I'm the assigned radio op checking in semi's to bring in supplies to a major disaster scene (Think of our two favorite ladies, Katrina, and Sandy) and I need to talk to the trucks to pass info on where their drop is, what good is my ham gear?? What are the chances the drivers will have 2 meters, or 440.. And the milliwatt 80 meter rig? Great for NVIS, but not for what I'd need.

The more bands you have, the better off you are. My Go Kit has all the ham goodies right along side CB and FRS.

 

I was thinking up upgrading to the " silly sides", what they called single side band in the old days. Now I dont know squat about Ham radio so will pose a question, now dont laugh. Didnt you need to know Morse code to get your ham license???

 

No not anymore as of February 23, 2007 code is no longer needed for any class of Lic. So it's real easy to get a license now, Go for it!

 

Thanks...I will look into it..

 

Hey come to my neighborhood and do that.......well on second thought, never mind. Nobody is on the radio anymore!