Do you know what CB stands for? It’s Citizen’s Band service. Band meaning bandwidth (not the Rolling Stones). CB frequency was originally established to help people connect with each other within a small frequency (26.965 MHz and 27.405 MHz) by the FCC. And if you’re interested, here’s a useful guide that explains the difference between ham radio and CB.
CB radio is a convenient, accessible, and inexpensive form of communication. It’s often confined to certain industries in transportation or wildlife services, where travel and contact over long distances are part of the job description. Users can be any age and no permit is required.
Safety and Security
Your RV is likely already set-up to handle cell phone signals, cable television hookups, and Wifi. Why would you need a CB radio on top of all of these other forms of connection?Simply put, it’s because these systems could fail you at some point, but a CB radio will always work, even with very little power. Regular CB radio doesn’t access military, police or emergency channels, but you can still use a CB radio to get help or alert the authorities, even if you’re at the bottom of a canyon or in the middle of a hailstorm.
An Easy Fit
There are several radios and packaged bundles that include installation kits and antennae designed and intended for RVs of all types. There are even CB radios made specifically for RVs with little or no metal framework. (You might even already have one in your rig as one of the standard options.) Here’s another place to start when looking for a fit within your budget.
There are several channels open for general use, and 19 is the one typically used by truckers is channel 19. Channel 9 is designated for emergencies.
Knowledge is Power
If you’re stuck in an unexpected traffic jam, can’t find a detour, or are in need of directions, often just turning on the CB radio and listening to the chatter on a busy channel gives you the information you need. Perhaps you’ve just gone off the grid for a few days. With your CB radio, you can still reach out and touch someone without the aid of satellite signals or a WiFi antennae. On the other hand, if you’re on the road as part of a convoy or traveling with friends, CB is an ideal way to stay in touch with other drivers.
There are several reasons why a CB radio is both a handy and essential accessory to any camper, trailer, or mobile home. As an RV driver, you can use CB radio when other forms of communication are compromised. CB Radio is also a handy tool to get specific and general information about the surrounding areas. Add all this to how easy and inexpensive it is to operate, and there’s really no reason not to have one in your RV.
