CB radio

So often in today’s high tech world we forget about the older tried and true tools that have been around for 100 years.

A friend is planning a road trip in a few months and wanted help installing a CB radio so that he would have a reliable form of communications with the big trucks that stream our interstate highways. It is amazing just how much information about the roadways and local areas that can be obtained via the lowly CB radio. The newer radios in addition to 40 channels you can listen to 10 of the weather radios’ channels. This radio has weather alert that can be programmed in along with a scanner of the CB channels so that you can catch active frequencies while you travel. There are many bells and whistles with this one including an alarm clock. ;]

The basic CB radio mounted in a vehicle can realistically get between 7 and 15 miles range. Yes, I know that does not SOUND impressive compared to FRS radios which CLAIM 28 to 36 mile range [with a crappy built in antenna and maybe 1 watt of transmit power] compared with a good outside mounted antenna on the outside of the vehicle.

FRS / GRMS radios have their uses at very close range. However I and many others think that there is still a place for CBs today in both emergency situations and everyday common use. I do have FRS / GRMS radios right next to my CB and HAM / shortwave radio systems. I also carry in my COMM kit a battery operated AM/FM transistor radio for local broadcast content. Also carried in the kit are chargers for the cell phones and computers.