Install CB radio or not?

It would be easy to get a HAM Radio license:

Ham Tests

I have ham radios and cb. I use the cb for info from truckers. Fuel stops and road conditions.

I have a CB in my truck. It mostly gets used when we get to the campground if there is a site with a low tree or one that may affect a slide I have the wife set behind the trailer with the hand held and keep watch. My youngest boy then likes to take the hand held on his bike around the campground and we chat a bit . He gets a kick out of it.

Like you, I had one on the shelf, so I installed. I've found it useful for traffic info, listening to others it can tell you what lane to avoid etc, if your close to a problem. Sometimes its turned on, most times not.
I had it so I put it in, Would I go out and buy one, NO.

Ken

Duplicate please delete

I have several CBs. None of them are hooked up at the present time.
I have a General Class amateur Radio License, so my short distance communications is either 2 meter simplex or through a 2 meter repeater.
I had FRS/GMRS radios years ago. They were, IMO, no better than a CB. I sold them.
Cell coverage here in the West is getting better, but there are still vast areas with poor or no signals. Cell phones can not be relied on around here.
Ham radio is the best bet. If nothing else works, I can set up an HF antenna and make a contact in California or Florida to get help.

I have one that was in the MH when we got it. It is usually on, especially if there is a problem backing up traffic out on the road. Not much traffic, but truckers do talk back and fort a lot at truck stops whee they are getting in and out and helping do a bit of local traffic control, just like ATC at an airport. I don't have enough range to do a lot of talking except to someone close. Probably wouldn't buy and install a new one, but it is handy sometimes.

I like um although don't normally talk much but listen all the time I'm driving. Have had them in Vehicles, RV's and even at home on and off for 50+ year's. I'm old enough and worldly enough to handle any language a trucker can dish out as long as it's English...lol

I did treat myself to a newer unit a few years back...at the lower prices nowadays on CB's, even the SSB units, why not, it doesn't cost a fortune.

They can be useful but it obviously depends on what you want to do with it. That handheld CB is useless simply because of the length of the antenna. If your using that, install the real radio under the dash.
Then get your ham license..

I have a CB under the seat sitting on CH19 with the squelch turned up all the way. This makes the CB only good for the few hundred feet around me when on the road...

I like listening to catch any road hazards ahead of me and of course any RADAR positions along the road.... The CB language is still very bad... I've been told to move over a couple of times but never answer back haha... I just move over... I know they are talking to me as I am the only OFF-ROAD POPUP running on the road hehe.. They are bigger than I am for sure... I have Ham radio antennas on my unit so I guess they figure I have CB too... I do have some words on the back of my POPUP that I monitor 52 for Ham Radio...

I don't think I have ever another RV'er on the CB... I have never used to it talk to anyone - just listen... Nothing like it was back in the 50s and 60s for sure... I am probably one of the few peoples that has a FCC issued license with call sign and I can't remember my CB call sign now haha... KBX5218 I think it is

We use the FRS/GRMS walkie talkie around the camp sites with private line turned on... Gatlinburg TN used to have a GRMS repeater to cover their winding roads in town up and down the shopping strip... I think the GRMS has to registered to be legal...

If we want reliable comms we always use the cell phones. Have made many trips heading up and down the roads with cells phones on all the time keeping in touch with both vehicles being used...

Would I buy a CB - Probably not...

There has been a push of late to start a RV CLUB thing using CB radios in an effort to get more people to use the CB radios I reckon... The CB's would probably be more used by the RV TRAVELERS than the Rv campers... Being small footprint and OFF-ROAD capability I guess I am a RV CAMPER. Very seldom get more than 200 miles away from home here in Virginia. Occasionally a trip to Myrtle Beach and Gatlinburg TN...

I can still make the drive through at McDonalds and any gas stop hehe...

Roy Ken