Many of us have a radio, some switch it off and only turn it on if they want to make a call. Ours is on when we are on highways, off when in cities, but we don't have signage on the van.
Yesterday we saw a caravan being towed on the highway with one side of its pop-top unsecured and lifting. They had "CH18/40" on the back of their van so I tried to call them on both channels. No response. Their radio must have been turned off.
Folks, if you go to the trouble of putting a sign on the back of your van, it might be to your advantage to keep the radio switched on?
lost count of the number of times I have seen that and many others but like you "no response"
I tried to assist but If they wont answer the radio it is not my problem.
We have "UHF 18" on the van back and front and we also scan 40.
If the language is getting too much I will switch to 18 for a while
especially when Mrs KFT starts to cringe
usually give it about 10 minutes and go back to listening on both.
so if you have a UHF for dogs sake turn the bloody thing on so we who may be trying to help you save a few hundred bucks by letting you know of a problem can actually get in touch with you.
If you don't like the language then at least use ch 18 and have that only on your sign.
frank
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Avagreatday.
Kathy and Frank currently at Home near Quirindi NSW
I agree. Keep it on. I talk mainly to truckies, not truckie's talk, but I drive at 95 - 100 kph. On highways with speed limit of 110 kph, I often have trucks right on my ass. When I see a straight stretch where I know they can pass, I call them and say that I'll slow down on the next straight if you want to pass. The acknowledge with a thanks. After overtaking me, the usually thank me again. For me, it helps the semi driver and gets a big semi off my ass !!
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Retired Airline Pilot and Electrician..
I'm not old, I've just been young a long time....Ken
Since light travels faster than sound, some people appear bright until you hear them speak.
Agree. If you have a radio in the car it should be on all the time except when arriving at your destination. Having a radio ON also helps with the truckie. We are on holiday, they are working, anything that helps them get to where they have to be has to be good.
The number of van with signage on the back and radio OFF is incredble. Why bother. Unfortunately, if no response they usually get the finger salute when I overtake.
Larry
I have mine on at all times but I turn it down going through the cities or larger towns. I am not really interested in listening to morons that seem to get pleasure in being, well, morons. I would love to get hold of them though and ram their microphone down their throat sideways.
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DOUGChief One Feather (Losing feathers with age)
TUG.......2014 Holden LT Colorado Twin Cab Ute with Canopy
DEN....... 2014 "Chief" Arrow CV (with some changes)
We have " Chopit UHF 40" on the back of the van.
Van in tow = radio on.
A nik-name makes it easier to be identified when being called.
Not using a real name just seems a little safer when dealing with strangers.
A bit of throw-back from the old 23 channel AM cb days.
Agree with all of the above entries.
We use ch 40 exclusively, always turned on and listening, I have refrained from putting it on the back of the van to avoid harassment, I always call up the truckies when zooming up behind, have never had any dramas with those beaut guys, and have no wish to get all chatty on ch 18 as it distracts from driving.
We normally cruise at 90 - 100 anyway and not many trucks come up behind.
When I see them coming, if I can't pull over to let them past I talk to them and we work it out without any angst. I don't use a nick name, I just say "this is the Jayco pop top" some folks are intimidated by a Big Mack filling the rear vision mirror, but mostly they are just keeping the revs up to get past when safe, we have never had an issue with those guys in over 200k's of caravanning.
Bevan
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Bevan
Friendship is not a relationship with someone whom you've known for a long time, but with someone you trust, under any circumstances.
If you are coming from behind depending where there aerial is they may not of heard you
The best way to call some one in front of you is to drop back a couple of hundred meters and then put out your call good luck Red Dog
Even more imperative to talking/listening to truckees, is to listen out for wide or long escorted loads. It does take a while to get used to what their "shorthand" means, i.e. 4.5 at the bridge, or a fiver of empties, but if you hear them chatting between pilot and truck, you eventually the general idea, and are ready for them if they need to pass you, or if you need to pull off the road. Importantly, don't get involved in the conversation, and don't interruppt
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DUNMOWIN is no longer on the road and still DUNMOWIN!
