I last used mine in the mid-80s when the speed traps were so bad along a 125 mile trip from PA down to the DC area. Then, the band was loaded with d-bags and blowhards - but the chatter always included useful smokey reports, traffic issues and most importantly beaver sightings
My brother had a base and mobile in the mid 70s-80s during sunspot peaks IIRC. I did all the soldering and cable terms on his various site antennas like a half-wave dipole. He knew all the local yokels for a 20 mile radius, but calls it Children's Band now.