[VAL] CB channel while traveling is ?

["Tom" <thomm@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I know that the nationwide CB channel that is used for the highway by truckers
and other travelers is channel 19.  Years ago channel 10 was used east of the
Mississippi River and channel 19 was used west of the river.  Does anyone else
recall that fact?

Do Airstreamers monitor channel 19 on the CB radio?  If not, what channel do
you use?  Or, if you monitor channel 19 what channel do you go to and talk
while on the road?

Also, while at the international rally coming up in Springfield what CB
channel is monitored/used between the rally participants?

Recently I purchased a 4-foot CB fiberglass antenna that is tunable with an
SWR meter and it's made in the USA for good measure.  At the same time at the
same Wilco truckstop I purchased a Wilson truckers cell phone antenna that
covers both the analog and digital cell phone frequencies.  The price at the
Wilco truckstop for the Wilson antenna was $60.00 which I thought was a good
price since I've only seen them on the Internet for about $72.00 - 75.00.  The
CB antenna was $25.00 which was more than a Firestik brand but it's a better
antenna also.

My next question concerns mounting these antennas.

I have given thought to mounting these antennas with one on each side of the
Airstream.  I have thought about using the type of mount used on smaller
marine boats that are nylon, white in color and they have a ratchet action
allowing you to lower them on the road to stow and secure the antenna.  Once
at my destination these can be easily unsecured from their stowed horizontal
position and raised to a vertical operating position.

Has anyone here mounted either/or/both types of antennas on your Airstream?
If so, where did you mount them and why?  Would you do the same thing again or
have you found a better solution that would work for you?  How much higher
than the top of the trailer must these antennas be to work properly?  Does
anyone know where I can find information *first* before making mounting holes
in the skin of my Airstream?  I do plan to use thick aluminum backing plates
with stainless steel hardware for less corrosion due to dis-similar metals.  I
also plan to coat these backing plates with anti-corrosive primer before
permanently mounting them to the Airstream skin - on the inside of the outer
skin if at all possible which might entail making a couple of access holes.

I would appreciate any feedback.

Tom Meeker
WBCCI 5303