Gil Wortsmann writes me from the good old US of A to remind Biglorryblog how they do things different over there..not least when it comes to in-cab communications on fleet trucks: "Joey made this arrangement [for the infotainment centre!]." says Gil,adding, "Many 'Road Drivers' make their own boxes and then bungee it down to the passenger seat. However, in the US many company trucks do not have passenger seats. So the box is placed on the floor." But why all the faffing around with seperate units for radio and CB you ask? Well click through here to find out....
Gil explains:" They must be portable radios because tractors are not assigned (not dedicated to individual drivers.). You will notice 2 radios and a bunch of antenna (aerial) wires. a).Bottom radio is the CB radio. However, Joey's is an SSB type: single sideband which gives him an extra 40 + 40 channels.(separate antenna) b). Top radio is the Satellite radio. (separate antenna.) If I recall correctly, the speakers are on the side .
For Joey, the satellite radio is more important to him than the CB radio. He seldom to never 'talks CB.'; Gil." And what a fascinating story mate...I can't see too many Uk fleet drivers goign to all that bother! And does anyone use CB anymore in the UK. I see it now and then on the odd tipper but surely that wave has washed against the shore and now receded?
Hi Brian
That's interesting; I noticed when I was in the UK over the last few weeks that trucks there didn't have CB aerials and I was talking to Bob Tuck about it. Over here in NZ it is almost unheard of not to have a CB, and with our narrow roads, blind corners, one-lane tunnels etc., etc., I think CB radios are essential.
If a driver is approaching a blind corner on a narrow road and knows that he will have to cross the centre line he will call ahead (e.g. "B-train heading south round Bulli Point") and if he gets no answer he will presume it safe to carry on cautiously. The same applies to overwidth loads, houses etc. which usually travel at night. The pilot travelling some distance ahead of the load will tell you "3.4 metre load coming, keep well to the left and you'll have enough room" or "8 metre house following, you'll have to stop before the next bridge" and so on. It's a different style of driving here, I suppose; the roads are certainly different.
Now that you've retired, Brian, you should have time to get over here and have a look for yourself!
Cheers, Vic
If any of you have been watching ICE ROAD TRUCKERS, you would notice that CB radios are a matter of life and death.
We still use CB`s,but UHF`s are more popular because they`ve got a lot more range.