Anytone AT-5000 Compact CB Radio (with SSB) a great fit for Ford Mavericks

[Big Kahuna]

At 25:22 in this video it shows a AT-5000 installed in a Ford Maverick. As a CB guy for years it's pretty cool to see a SSB radio that small and it fits perfectly in the Maverick.

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[StarBug]

Do you still find yourself getting useful information on CB these days?

In the past it was great to just listen to the truck drivers provide information on road conditions and hazards, but that seems to be a dying thing.

I haven’t had a CB radio in some years now, but I consider getting one again.

 

[Big Kahuna]

There are still truck drivers listening but definitely less than there used to be. There are still people on the air locally in towns and cities so on road trips I’ll definitely have the “scan” feature on and say hello to locals as I pass through.

My big enjoyment is talking DX (skip) on the CB radio. We’re still near the peak of the solar cycle and I regularly talk to different states, and around the world on my radio while driving - Australia/New Zealand, Hawaii, and sometimes Europe. CB is definitely more of a hobby now like ham radio but still millions of users worldwide. No license required and talking to someone 7000 miles away with my little radio and antenna is pretty cool.

The other cool thing about the newer radios is they have weather frequencies and can be programmed to listen to 2 meter ham and marine frequencies. So if CB is quiet I’ll scan and listen to those sometimes to keep me entertained.

Off-road guys have really switched to GMRS but many still have CB.

 

[Pointyears]

I have one in my RV Just Because.

 

[notfast]

Do you still find yourself getting useful information on CB these days?

On the Interstates there might be a few truckers still chatting. Mostly when there's traffic due to a road accident or closure.

I haven’t had a CB radio in some years now, but I consider getting one again.

I have a President Randy handheld CB radio. Works for me since I only turn it on, again, when there's traffic. It's basically dead silent on the airwaves otherwise, so I figured a permanent installation wasn't worth it.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B26ZQJCP/

The rubber duck antenna is good for talking to vehicles within line of sight (maybe a few hundred feet).

I thought about getting a mag mount antenna but I am way too lazy to install it every time I exit the garage, and I'd probably forget about it anyway and break it when pulling back in the garage.

Thought about getting a Firestik and mounting it on the front fender like OEM AM/FM radio antennas, but the cab on my Nissan is relatively short so I'd only get about a 2' antenna before it's taller than the cab.

So instead I got this extendable antenna. It works surprisingly well. I get like at least 4-5 miles of range if I stick it out a window.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B093C3FVZR/

 

[Bob The Builder]

Had a Realistic (Radio Shack) CB back in the 70's in my Jeep Commando. Couldn't get a word in edgewise back them. Constant chatter but sure came in handy during snowstorms on the road. Smokey reports were great too. Fun times.

 

[Dad]

Do you still find yourself getting useful information on CB these days?

In the past it was great to just listen to the truck drivers provide information on road conditions and hazards, but that seems to be a dying thing.

I haven’t had a CB radio in some years now, but I consider getting one again.

A CB would be useful when you're not getting a phone signal whether due to the area or an emergency.

 

[White Thunder]

At 25:22 in this video it shows a AT-5000 installed in a Ford Maverick. As a CB guy for years it's pretty cool to see a SSB radio that small and it fits perfectly in the Maverick.

What kind of antenna setup did you use?

 

[Big Kahuna]

I run a 48” steel whip mounted to a bracket on my bed rack cross bars. Great SWR and mounted high for max range. It’s almost invisible from 25ft away unless you’re looking for it. I also chose to run it at the back of the truck as I will sometimes run additional wattage 100+ with an amplifier and that can mess with truck computers sometimes

 

[BlueOval1954]

Had a Realistic (Radio Shack) CB back in the 70's in my Jeep Commando. Couldn't get a word in edgewise back them. Constant chatter but sure came in handy during snowstorms on the road. Smokey reports were great too. Fun times.

Who had a reefer goin ? Oh silly me, he must have been talking about refrigeration.

 

[Joe Strummer]

10-4 Smokey Bandit. Couldn't resist.

 

[notfast]

A CB would be useful when you're not getting a phone signal whether due to the area or an emergency.

For all intents and purposes, a satellite communicator would probably be more useful in this day and age since it's basically guaranteed communication rather than "maybe someone is on channel 9 nearby". I have a Garmin InReach Messenger on the emergency (cheapest per month) plan. Haven't had to use it for an actual emergency, but it is helpful when venturing off the beaten path and being able to still text people. I could be not even ten miles off I-15 and see cell towers in the distance but get zero signal.

 

[Big Kahuna]

I think for most people CB radio is more of a hobby these days. Fun to have in the vehicle and could still be useful in an emergency. If you’re seriously off-roading most people carry a satellite phone or Spot Satellite emergency device.

Truckers are on channel 19 so that’s the best place for an emergency call or request for traffic updates on the CB. Channel 9 isn’t really monitored anymore.

Last year I did a road trip with the cb and monitored channel 19 and was surprised on the main highways to hear truckers still calling out speed traps. Pretty quiet otherwise so that’s why I use the scan feature to find people on the radio in towns I’d be passing through to talk to. Channel 38 LSB is the most used channel I think, but need a cb with ssb for that.

it definitely is quiet compared to the 70’s/80’s/90’s but still people out there.

Super fun for two cars with buddies on a road trip though

 

[zorki1c]

Had a 1973 VW 412 which boasted a solid state fuel injection system. Installed a CB and took it out for a test drive. Every time I keyed the mike the engine quit!

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

Interesting story.
The late "C.W. McCall" three-term mayor of Ouray, Colorado.

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