Communication on the road

[Goaltender1]

We're new to RV ING and planning to be on the road soon. In the olden days everyone seemed to have a CB in there vehicle. What options (if any) are available today that provide access to road conditions, traffic and communication with others on the road?

[Matt_Colie]

Yes, CB still works, but it is not the value it once was. My coax got damaged and I have not bothered to replace it.

If you are going to count on a cellphone for much, look at the coverage map of where you are going and decide if you don't want a repeater or booster. Even with a three watt repeater, we are often out of coverage in Montana and the Dakotas and many other western states. This makes Google maps or Waze hard to count on.

We also have FRS radios that we use when traveling in convoy. They work and are simpler than cell because they are a party line.

Matt

[Bill_Satellite]

GordonThree wrote:
Why would you want communication with other drivers on the road? I'm rather new, having logged less than 50k miles in my travels, but I've never felt the need to communicate with other drivers.

It's great to be able to talk to drivers ahead of you on the same road to find out what's causing a backup and how long or how far it might be.

[Sprink-Fitter]

Ed_Gee wrote:
Wife and I use amateur radio when traveling separately.... an option for those without a ham license could be little Family Radio Service HTs......extremely cheap and good for almost a mile under the right circumstances. cell phones can be a backup....but illegal to use while driving unless you have hands free system.

Cell phones are not illegal to use in Minnesota and some other states I would assume.

[GordonThree]

Why would you want communication with other drivers on the road? I'm rather new, having logged less than 50k miles in my travels, but I've never felt the need to communicate with other drivers.

[Lwiddis]

I don’t get nervous driving around this great country and not being in constant communication with the government, my fellow travelers or loved ones. Road conditions? Just slow down if you are worried. Bad weather? Take a break or overnight where you are. If there’s anything to worry about....some will find it.

[Bill_Satellite]

Google Maps is great for traffic conditions and if you so see some delays ahead, WAZE has the best routing to get around it. You just have to look at the WAZE plan to see if it makes sense for your vehicle setup as it assumes you are a car. It has saved my bacon many times and it just required a bit of back road driving which was pretty pleasant in and of itself. Other times it just makes sense to hang in there and the software gives you a pretty good estimate of how long the delay will be.

[pauldub]

Whatever you've used to communicate from your previous vehicles should be good for your motor home. Best to not use a middle finger.

[Ed_Gee]

.

[haydoracin]

Smart phone with WAZE app I've heard is very good. HIgh battery use I understand.

[gbopp]

I still have a CB in our Southwind. But, it only gets turned on if there is a traffic problem.
Sometimes a CB is helpful. Usually it's just noise.

[CA_Traveler]

Goaltender1 wrote:
We're new to RV ING and planning to be on the road soon. In the olden days everyone seemed to have a CB in there vehicle. What options (if any) are available today that provide access to road conditions, traffic and communication with others on the road?

Yup basically none. CB traffic is way down probably due to cell phones.

Verizon has the best coverage and we use it for cell and internet. GPS gives some very limited road conditions.

[2oldman]

My smartphone alerts me to all those things minus all the swearing.

[MitchF150]

CB still works, but pretty much only truckers will have them. Cell phone as long as your have coverage. Sat phone? Ouija board?

I personally use my smart phone, but only works if i have signal.. Verizon, so most places is pretty good.

Good luck!

Mitch