Are CB Radios just for cool factor?

[RubenZ]

I don't really Wheel in a group so communication amongst me and other trail riders almost never happens. What are the real benefits to having a CB? I kind of want one, but feel I'd maybe use it way too few times to not really make having it worth it? I'd probably use it more for weather bands etc.

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[DanW]

They are not worth it until you need it. Then you'll wish you had one. It also helps cure a little boredom sometimes on long highway trips. I'm moving to GMRS because the range and clarity are much, much better, but I still use the CB more because there are still lots of Jeeps out there with them. I'd tell you to get a cheapo with a magnetic antenna, but there is no magnetic surface for it except the bumper or the sport bar when the top is down. Lol!

 

[Columbus104]

I don't really Wheel in a group so communication amongst me and other trail riders almost never happens. What are the real benefits to having a CB? I kind of want one, but feel I'd maybe use it way too few times to not really make having it worth it? I'd probably use it more for weather bands etc.

They are functional when going offroad in a group. But then again you can get handheld ones which are almost as powerful, and don't take up room in your rig during daily driving (which is my preferred method). But if you never ride offroad in groups, def not worth it.

 

[W5MQS]

NO! Not at all. If you want a radio that works, I'd recommend at the very least a GMRS radio...OR...if you're willing to put in the time and effort studying, take your test to get your amateur radio license. While CB is used on the trail quite a bit, it's only good for about 10 Jeep lengths. When it comes to clarity and range of signal, it's flat out crap in my opinion and I'm not sure why there are so many people that seems to think it's king.

 

[Biscuit]

They were "cool" in the 70s and 80s. Not so much now.

Chong: "Break 19 for an altitude check."
Cheech: "Yeah, go ahead, breaker."
Chong: "Thanks, dude. How high are you?"
Cheech: "Dunno, man. What's your 420?"

 

[NavyVet1959]

If you are with others, it all boils down to using the same frequency band that they are using. If they are using CB (27 MHz), you need to be using it. If they are using GMRS, then you need to be using it. Otherwise, you keep your windows open or top down and yell a lot...

As far as "being cool", I don't think CBs have been "cool" since the '70s...

 

[DanW]

They were "cool" in the 70s and 80s. Not so much now.

Chong: "Break 19 for an altitude check."
Cheech: "Yeah, go ahead, breaker."
Chong: "Thanks, dude. How high are you?"
Cheech: "Dunno, man. What's your 420?"

 

[TJEli]

I am getting ready to install one over the next couple days. I do have a HAM license but I do not practice. I am putting one in the jeep for trail rides and I bought one that does NOAA weather bands and alerts too. I listen to those quite a bit in my boat on my VHF. A properly installed CB setup should have a range of approximately 10 miles depending on terrain.

 

[RubenZ]

Thanks guy. Thats more or less what I was thinking as well.

 

[Matthew/E36]

Thanks guy. Thats more or less what I was thinking as well.

Another option if you are just interested in listening in is to get a scanner. You can program in all sorts of things to listen in on...although it loses fun after a while. Checkout this site to see what's broadcasting in your area.

https://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/?stid=48

 

[RubenZ]

Honestly for me, I'm more wanted to make sure that if my cell service goes out, I can at least get word on bad weather or for an emergency maybe reach someone at a distance.

 

[TxJeepers]

Comms aren't cool, they are necessary.

The CB radio will always be (or usually be) the lowest common denominator for trail communications. If you do a well organized wheeling trip with the likes of Jeep Jamboree (there are many others) they will want you to have a CB and it will be used to pass along information from the trail guides.

That said, and like others have mentioned. Use what your group uses. There seems to be a movement with more and more using GMRS within their smaller group of wheeling friends.

I've been running the same Cobra 75 in many Jeeps over the years. I unplug the handset and stash away the majority of the time.

 

[CypressWrangler]

Mine worked perfectly out at Big Bend. Reception for over a mile and clear as can be.

 

[Zazoh]

If you are with others, it all boils down to using the same frequency band that they are using.

This is KEY ... you have to use what everyone else is using. And, if there is no everyone else, no point in getting.

There are weather radios that self power: https://www.amazon.com/Emergency-Es...e-Flashlight/dp/B01LYYUJAT/ref=dp_ob_title_ce

 

[NavyVet1959]

This is KEY ... you have to use what everyone else is using. And, if there is no everyone else, no point in getting.

There are weather radios that self power: https://www.amazon.com/Emergency-Es...e-Flashlight/dp/B01LYYUJAT/ref=dp_ob_title_ce

I use one like this that works without batteries:

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