cb radios

OK folks.. gotta learn something about them: What your main use for the cb radio? listen to road traffic?, chatting with others where cell phone sucks in areas?

 

Just my (limited) experience with CB:
On the highway there really aren't a lot of people using it. What I have heard usually involves a lot of the "F" word. If you travel with someone else who has a CB it can be more convenient than using a cell phone. One advantage of CB is that it does not require a license to operate and it's channelized so it's easy to use.

HAM radio will get you a lot more distance with repeaters. You're more likely to find other people to chat with given the greater range. Down side is that it requires a license. The test isn't hard, it's just a bit of pain and I don't feel it actually does much good in helping you understand what you need to know about amateur radio as a beginner. I studied for a about a week using this site https://www.hamradiolicenseexam.com and easily passed. HAM radio is a little more confusing, understanding the different bands and frequencies and repeaters, but there are a lot of good resources online to help you pick up the basics.

 

When traveling, I rarely use my radio for "chatting" with others. I primarily use it to monitor traffic conditions (construction, accidents, congestion etc) and it can be somewhat entertaining if your not offended by off color language from time to time. Using GPS, I have avoided major traffic congestion in unfamiliar areas after hearing truckers discuss the traffic. My CB also has multiple NOAA weather channels that I listen to. I have also used my radio to find "places" in unfamiliar places.