CB Radios still continue to be used in variety of formats, particularly in short-range communication between say truckers, cab services or local farmers informing them of local conditions, emergencies and safety conditions. It can also be used by those looking to also connect with others in their local community.
CB radio is a short-range radio wave designed for short-distance communications over longer distances. To use CB radio entails the basic understanding of the technology, radio wave propagation, radio operating procedures, radio equipment and radio transceivers.
The advent of the internet has largely replaced the need for CB radios. But isn’t it still fun to try?
But what are CB Radios?
CB Radio is an abbreviation for Citizens Band Radio. These are essentially radios designed for personal or commercial use across short distances or localized areas where users can communicate within a limited radius. This frequency band is used by business corporations, emergency personnel, local area governments, public utility companies, among many others.
CB Radios are used for commercial purposes, emergency purposes, or just being social with your friends. They have become very popular in recent years due to the disasters in various parts of the world. With so much happening so frequently, people are looking at ways to stay connected with loved ones during any emergency or natural disaster. It is surprising how something so small can be useful when you have no other means of communication available. If you are still reading this right now, it’s because you are looking for some more information on CB Radios. If that’s the case, then I’m here to tell you what I know.
* There is a lot of bad information about the CB radio and preppers. The first thing you need to know is that it is not “Walkie-Talkies”. You don’t need to walkie-talk, and people won’t hear and think you’re crazy. This is because it is a “CB Radio” and not a “Walkie-Talkie”. CB stands for “Citizen Band” and not “Chat Buddy”.
* CB Radios Are Not Cheap (Not Really). This is a good thing. If you’re looking for a small, cheap, disposable radio you can use once or twice before tossing it, CB isn’t for you. By the time you buy a decent CB radio, a high-quality whip antenna and a microphone/headset, you’ll have spent a fair amount of money.
* CB radios are designed to be the gold standard for short-range communication, and they can even be used to make calls internationally when needed. You can also listen in real-time when other people are chatting, which is fascinating when learning about local conditions during a blackout or other emergency.
* The biggest surprise we can share regarding CB radios is how useful they are for chasing storms. When a tornado has been reported near you, you can get at least 5 minutes warning before the storm arrives, and after that, you can get hundreds of miles of advanced warning about what’s happening with the storm. There’s no way to get that kind of information unless you’re listening on a CB radio.
* With modern radios, you can store contact information, making it much easier to keep in touch with everyone else in your group or family. You can also program your radio so that you can speak using nicknames, which is much more fun than using actual names all the time.
* CB Radios are great at keeping out unwanted people. After all, they have no idea that the moment you turn it on, they are being transmitted with a very clear message that you are armed against them. This is also the case with scope rings for your rifle. They are great for keeping you prepared and keeping out unwanted people.
While it is true that you can use a CB radio to talk to people thousands of miles away, your real need will be within 50 to 100 miles of your location. The beauty of CB Radio is that it allows you to communicate with like-minded individuals in your community. And in today’s world, where all the power and modern conveniences we take for granted (like running water) can suddenly disappear, having someone nearby that you can rely on can be priceless.
