On long trips I will keep the CB radio on to communicate with truckers and other RV'ers or friends travelling with us. However, in the past couple of years the consolidation of modern car radios, navigation systems, satellite radio, computers, aircards, cellphones I've begun using the traffic watch features on these devices instead. I keep the CB for emergency use in case the cellphone or aircard can't get a signal or some foreign government/terrorist group knocks out the communications networks and internet. For parking and communications between each other we have FRS walkie talkies or most often just use our cellphones. We pay for a large minute plan, just so we don't have to worry about per minute cost when using the cellphones. I even use the cellphones to align the satellite TV dish. I put one in front of the TV with the satellite boxed tuned to the "point dish" page and then take the other cellphone outside and listen to the signal strength tone as I move the dish. I just have to remember there is a little delay in hearing the actual tone, so I move the dish in 1/4 inch increments and pause for a 10 count before moving it again. I do this so the RVers next to us won't have to listen to the tone while I try to find the satellite.

The FRS walkies that thebearII mentioned are also available in mobile versions. You just have to apply for a license from the FCC for certain channels and wattages. There is no test or anything like in Ham Radio though. The biggest problem with CB's is the foul language that many truckers use constantly. I have a CB in my MH for traffic situations, but hate to turn it on. I am also a ham and guess I've just got spoiled by hams. They, for the most part, tend to follow the rules and keep it civilized.

we use the CB's to talk between our vehicles and we have the small handheld personal radios for backing up but don't use them too often. Rudee usually just uses hand signals to guide me in. Phil and Rudee

We've always had a CB in the truck. It had been good for traffic updates, etc. However I agree with Jeff. In recent years there is no regulation on the language used. It is becoming more and more foul to the point that we never keep it on. It is only turned on when we get into a traffic jam and need info on what to expect.

Hi Terry, We have never had a CB. Thought about it before going out, but never got around to getting one. The lifestyle being as relaxed as it is, finds us mostly on secondary highways and traveling in the middle of the day. We hardly ever exceed 60MPH, so are in the right lane with nobody in front of us most of the time. We also avoid traveling on the weekends. Once in a blue moon we will run into a traffic jam, usually an accident, and if it doesn't clear quickly we exit the highway and the GPS will find us another route. BTW, a good GPS is about the most important device to have in my opinion. Not only does it route you on long trips, but is invaluable in finding shopping venues in strange towns, and most importantly gets you back to your new campground without having to leave a trail of breadcrumbs after you've decided to go out shopping or to dinner at night. We have have small handheld personal radios which we used for guidance in backing up in the beginning, but haven't used them in years. My advice would be to go out naked and see how it goes. You can always buy these devices easily if you find you want them. My guess is you won't.

As usual I am in agreement with Luvglass. We have a CB in the coach but seldom if ever turn it on. We have the little FM hand held walkie talkies if we need to communicate with each other. We used the CB a lot in the past but found that the language others use is just too much for us.

We do  have a CB that we use for monitoring the trucker channel.  For communication between ourselves, we either use our cell phones or we have a set of Motorola walkie-talkies similar to these.

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3680204

Their range is supposed to be 20 miles, I'm not sure that they really go that far but we have successfully used them when we were several miles apart.

We haven't been full-timing long so we don't have lots of tavel experiences. We do have a CB radio in our coach (came with the coach). We turned it on one time on our trip from Texas because there was a really bad wreck and backup on the highway. We wanted to "hear" what lane to move toward. We did hear that information but just as ahoweth said we heard some very rough language as well. I think Fred said it best!!!!

I use the CB in the coach when traveling to keep an ear on whats up ahead. I have also used it to call a trucker that passed me who was billowing smoke from one of his axles. I hope somebody would do the same for me if something was wrong with my coach...

We recently installed a CB, but don't keep it on while traveling unless we get caught in a traffic jam, which is rare. Walkie Talkies however, we tend to use quite a bit. We were recently in a remote area with no cell phone service. DH wanted to go on a hike but I did not. Normally, we would use our cells. He took the walkie talkie instead, and we could keep in touch and he could hike a beautiful canyon alone.

We each have a cb in our respective trucks. When we're traveling we usually stay on an "off" channel like 20 or 21 and only switch back to 19 when traffic starts getting heavy. This allows us to be able to stay in contact with each other without having to listen to all the trucker chatter.

jagco wrote: Wish I could get my better half interested in ham radio. She's a brain, so she could learn the material quite easily.

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Most anyone can learn the material needed to pass an entry level FCC licensing exam. It's only 35 questions. If memory serves, the youngest ham operator is a 6 year old girl.

Communicating with a ham band hand-held radio is superior to the CB or FRS walkie talkie. Fowl language is prohibited by the FCC and no one will interrupt your conversation by trying to use the same channel or frequency while you are. Use of two way repeaters (similar to cell towers) increases range substantially.

Keep working on her. Useful info can be found at http://www.arrl.org

 

-- Edited by TXRVr on Wednesday 4th of November 2009 12:56:30 PM

Thanks TXRvr, but I've tried all that. Bought her the no code tech book and have even tried to get her to look at my QST magazines. She tells me I can go play with my radios and she'll read a book (and not a ham radio book). We do many many things together, but ham radio is not one of them.