CB & Handheld Radios

rockhillmanor wrote:
Respectively disagree that CB's are of no use. The old CB's did NOT have all the functions the new handheld ones have.

I bought this hand held CB to add to my arsenal of being safe while Full-Timing. It sits on the dash, squelch turn down. I can't say enough about this CB.

Here are a few functions included in this handheld CB which is why it is 'always' in my MH.

1. Another form of communication if no cell towers in case of emergency.

CB band in IDEAL atmospheric conditions (IE ZERO SKIP), with a proper full sized 5/8 wave antenna mounted at least 10 or more feet above ground at 4 full watts of legal output AND ZERO channel bleed over from others with 1KW+ linears has an absolute max of 5 perhaps 6 miles of usable "distance"..

AM (Amplitude Modulation) is extremely inefficient and IS subject to LOTS of natural AND man made RFI..

Sure, there is SSB on CB, but it IS a rarity to find many folks who where willing to pop the extra money for a SSB version, not even sure they manufacture a SSB CB..

In reality, that perfect world above RARELY happens and there typically is a pretty man made high noise floor.

If no one is within that 5-6 miles that can hear you, what "good" does it do to have a CB?

911 does not monitor CB channels, SOME small town "police" MIGHT monitor and SOME "State Police" MIGHT monitor but if no one can hear you it IS worthless.

2. Traffic. Traffic backup/accidents in REAL TIME from drivers right there AND you can get info from them on where to get off to avoid, etc when RV traveling in unfamiliar areas. Can't get that from your GPS and you don't have to update maps all the time! :W

I had a CB in my vehicle from 1985 to 2003 for a total of 18 yrs, averaged 360,000 miles driving Interstate and highway from rural to a decent metro city. NOT ONCE was I ever able to:

#1 Establish direct or indirect communications with ANY trucker or other motorist concerning traffic, road conditions, weather conditions.

#2 Listen or hear any communications with ANY trucker or other motorist concerning traffic, road conditions, weather conditions.

#3 get any "smokey" reports.

3. NOAA All Weather Emergency Radio. This CB comes with NOAA emergency alerts IN REAL TIME. For weather. This saved my hiney twice. Once when unknowingly I was driving right into the path of a tornado, the ER weather radio alarm went off on the CB. This feature alone IMHO is a reason for all RV'ers to have it on board. Especially when you don't always know what county you are driving thru which is how the weather alerts are given on the TV/MH radio.

Cobra HHROADTRIP 40-Channel CB Radio
Road Trip Hand Held CB


It comes with a mag mount additional antenna with a very long cord to run out your window. BUT, in the ten years I have had it I have never had the need to use it. The antenna on the CB, and the CB on the dash brought in all I needed.

You don't "need" a CB to get NOAA emergency broadcasts, PLENTY of better NOAA equipped portable radios to choose from and often they ARE better quality and often cheaper than a CB with that feature tossed in.

Myself, I have my Dual band 144/440 Ham radios installed in my vehicles which have extended VHF receive, granted much more expensive than a cheap CB and they don't have automatic alerts, they do get considerable reception distance and when driving I am always alert to any changes in the local weather from simple observations.. Doesn't take a Masters degree to notice threatening sky's or severe weather..

For portable use, I have a nice Eaton brand NOAA radio, we take it with use to keep in the trailer.. Got it as a 15yr company award, was skeptical about it, but it is extremely sensitive receive, weather alert works well.

Has FM radio built in, alarm clock, flashlight, rechargeable batteries, also has place for dry cells, has solar panel and hand crank gen.

Can be charged via a 5V usb cord so can be used with 12V to 5V USB chargers and even 120V to 5V USB chargers AND you can use 5V USB "power packs" with this radio under emergency conditions.

Can even be used to recharge your Cellphones from the hand crank gen or solar.. Very versatile yet very portable.

You can get that Eaton NOAA radio for $39..

I don't miss the CB noise and potty mouths.