Communications

[Admiral Jarok]

Does anyone else have/use a CB radio in their rig? They seem to be fading out, but I still find them useful

 

[Scooterfan]

Have one...rarely turn it on

 

[Joe Hogan]

This is a topic I have been studying for awhile now. Depending on where you are geographically, East Coast or West you may find different answers. East Coast has many CB users, the West has moved on to GMRS mostly. Also, CB around truck stops is no longer G rated. Lots of vulgar trash talk.
I have personally found that CBs are very difficult to use successfully in a highly optioned RV due to various items that generate RF. Endless work trying to reduce interference. If you are or can find a skilled CB antenna person, Your luck my vary.
So I have decided to go with a handheld GMRS for ease of use, and my Ham Radio for entertainment when stopped or emergencies.
Ham, unless very skilled and planned, is very hard to use when distracted with driving. GMRS, on the other hand, is similar to CB with a fixed number of channels easily selected when in motion.
There is not a common travel channel for GMRS that I have discovered, so I use 19. My thinking is that this might be a holdover from CB days that others might choose.
Also, there are many GMRS repeaters scattered around various cities that might be useful.
GMRS license for a family is $35.

 

[Alan_Hepburn]

We use GMRS, but not to talk to other drivers. When we stop for gas the wife goes in to pay while I pump the gas - we use out walkie talking to communicate with each other. We also use them if she's driving the Jeep behind the RV rather than towing it.

 

[GypsyR]

My old coach came with one that didn't work. I fixed it, basically because it was there.
I've only used when traffic backs up on the interstate or something and I want to know ahead of time which lane I need to have big Bertha in.
One time I had it on and heard some truckers asking about what the holdup was ahead of them. Soon I saw that there was wreck in the fast lane on the opposite side of the interstate. So I grabbed the mike and announced that the issue was in the southbound left most lane. Got a couple of 10-4's and thanks. So far that's all I've gotten out of it but I think I'll keep it.