Yeah, it wouldn't be anywhere close to perfect, but it would be better than nothing. (Optimally you'd probably want one of those mobile HF rigs, but that's a bit of overkill for most people unless they'd be planning to actually use it on a regular basis.) You might get lucky with the CB though, at least at night. Even with the crappy sunspot cycle, you'd probably get out enough of a signal after dark to get the attention of a random trucker somewhere or something.
Yeah, you're right, we're just frustrated right now trying to pick up the Laccadives . . . and that's with a 40m beam in the back yard!
Especially being close to I-5 or whatever.