DEAR SUN SPOTS: I was wondering if you or any of your readers could help. I have two citizen band radios that do not seem to work. I know in various states they have CB shops at truck stops, but I am not aware of any here in Lewiston-Auburn or even in Maine. I would like to know why my radios don’t work, so any help would be greatly appreciated. I can reached at 71 Old Danville Road. Thanks. — Shawn Arnold, Auburn

ANSWER: Sun Spots did not know very much about CB radios, so she looked them up on Wikipedia.com. The following was posted:

“CB was once the only practical two-way radio system for the individual consumer, and as such served several distinct types of users such as truck drivers, radio hobbyists and those who needed a short-range radio for particular tasks. While some of these users have moved on to other radio services, CB is still a popular hobby in many countries. In the United States it is strongly associated with semi truck drivers and rural life.

“The 27-MHz-frequencies used by CB, which require a long aerial antenna and tend to propagate poorly indoors, tend to discourage use of handheld radios. …

“On the other hand, CB is still popular among long-haul truck drivers to communicate directions, traffic problems and other things of importance. Truckers are known to tune to the unofficial “travelers channel,” which is channel 19. …

“Legitimate, short-range use of CB radio is sometimes made difficult by users of illegal high-power transmitters, which are capable of being heard hundreds of miles away. In the United States, the vast number of users and the low financing of the regulatory body mean that the regulations are only actively enforced against the most severe interfering stations, which makes legitimate operations on the citizen’s band unreliable.”

From her reading, Sun Spots speculates on the following possibilities for your difficulties:

1. There is something wrong with your radios.

2. Your radios are not strong enough to reach from your neighborhood to the nearest trucker.

3. With the advent of cell phones, fewer truckers are using CB radios.

4. There is something interfering with your radio transmission.

There are undoubtedly other possibilities. Sun Spots hopes that a reader knowledgeable about CB radios will write in.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I have many home movies that I want put onto DVDs. I have VHS and two or three different types of camcorder tapes, some of which are older. Is there any place in the Brunswick or Lewiston-Auburn area that can put all of them onto disc for me? Many thanks for any information! — No Name via e-mail

ANSWER: Sun Spots found one, although there may be others of whom she is unaware. Check with Al Ibarguen of Wilton, 645-4250, nascar810@earthlink.net. If Wilton is too far off for you to visit, you might be able to use the U.S. Mail to transact your business.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: At the craft and yard sale at Holy Trinity Church, a lady expressed interest in a baby guilt I was making. I have finally finished it if she is still interested. Thank you. — Edith Roberge, Lisbon Falls, 353-2411

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Regarding the sharpening of a reel mower, two years ago I had my old-fashioned reel mower blades sharpened at Mathieu Saw & Tool about two blocks from the new Chic-a-Dee Restaurant on Westminster St., Lewiston, 783-9087. Call to see if they still do that. — No Name via e-mail

ANSWER: Mathieu’s was the first place Sun Spots called and where several others directed her. They no longer perform that service, according to the young woman who answered the phone.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Amvets Post 6, Route 100, New Gloucester, will be having its annual flea market July 31, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tables will be $15. You can call Pat Kiley at 926-4232 or Joyce Hamilton at 926-4079 for a reservation. Why not start now to clean your cellar or garage and join us? — Pat Kiley

This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name (we won’t use it if you ask us not to). Please include your phone number. Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be e-mailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com.

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