People think that CB radio is dead, but in fact it is still very well used by truckers and people on the road a lot like RVers. With GMRS usage picking up and repeaters throughout the country, you would think most have moved off CB radios. They are indeed excellent for driving long distances on highways. Off roading and overlanding, I would use GMRS, HAM or Satellite communications. CB radios will not be abandoned during a survival situation as it will be a method of communication.
In the event of an emergency, CB radio Channel 9 can be used to get help and Channel 19 will allow you to get connected with truckers who may be driving by the area you may have vehicle troubles on (most radios will have a one button Channel 9 access, and some will have that for Channel 19). Truckers going East and West bound chat on Channel 19, and truckers going North and South bound chat on Channel 17.
There are no license requirements to use a CB radio, so it is a great way to get started right away. Installation is fairly straight forward by connecting the radio power leads to the battery. Often, I hear complaints about engine, alternator, or electrical noise, but it can be filtered or a proper connection to the battery can minimize or mitigate this issue.
CB radios max out at 4 Watts so the distance covered is not that great, but there are CB radios that support SSB (Single Side Band) which can transmit as high as 12 Watts to get a bit more coverage distance. The CB radios that support SSB over the standard 40 channel AM CB radios will additionally support 40 USB (Upper Side Band) and 40 LSB (Lower Side Band) channels for a total of 120 channels. Most truckers have CB radios that support the standard 40 AM channels and I rarely hear people on SSB, though I have made contacts over SSB.
CB radio for a mobile station is an option, though most people use CB for highway driving, off roading, and overlanding. A mobile station will require a long antenna (no less than 15 feet) at a relatively significant height (clear line of sight). Antenna should be mounted at or above the apex of the roof unless there are buildings taller than your home to minimize dead zones. This antenna mounting requirement poses a challenge for anyone living where their HOA will not allow visible antennas.
Carefully consider your choices, but it doesn’t hurt to have a CB radio, HAM radio and/or a GMRS radio in your car, SUV, truck, or RV.
