Do preppers need CB radios and why?

The CB radio is one of the most reliable forms of communication in the world. CB stands for citizens band radio which is used for transmitting messages across certain frequencies.

The main benefit of a CB radio is that it becomes more and more useful when living in a rural area. It may be interesting to know that there is an interesting history of the CB radio.

The first use of a CB radio was in 1945 by the FCC. In an experiment to test the range of different frequencies. At the time, radio communication at the time was didn’t have long-range frequencies like nowadays.

It wasn’t until 1958 that it became an expanded service with 23 channels but, compared to today with 40 plus channels that are available today, they have a great range and more reliable service.

The frequencies used in 1945 were limited to a range of Class A and B type frequencies.

Modern Uses For CB radios

The vast utility of CB radios is still used today in the trucking industry and used as a common form of communication in law enforcement organizations.

Although the trucking industry has moved communication into cell phone usage mainly, CB radios still have a place.

Here is a good use that CB radios continue to have in this industry:

• Emergency weather reports such as snow and rain or warnings of certain weather.
• Cross communication between trucks is superior to signaling another vehicle.
• “Brake Checks & Bear Reports” are both ways of warning of slow-downs in traffic, possible accidents, and construction zones.

This is a good example of using radio communication efficiently. In some ways, it will be more reliable than a cellular device in an emergency. Which is good for minute-to-minute updates that most apps on a smartphone could not possibly keep up with.

How Survivalists/Preppers use CB radios

In the event of an emergency, that could be used for communication in a grid down situation. A CB radio would most likely be the last line of communication. In this sense, it is a good alternative to traditional forms of communication where there is an over-reliance on more regulated platforms such as Cell comms and broadcasts and TV. The reason preppers need this in their arsenal is for more than one reason:

• Firstly, a prepper may want a CB radio for communication within their community and ideally, would be established well beforehand.
• It is also a good warning system because you can listen in on other frequencies and channels that are used by truckers and emergency services.
• It gives a way to help people in a very efficient way. For example, if a car crash happened, you might be the only person within miles to help. That is if you have some kind of training to do so.

Other Considerations

A CB radio has many valuable strengths and using one may not be as attractive as the convenience of a smartphone or as accessible as social media but, it still gets a good reputation for all the positive traits mentioned in this article.

The use is expansive and used by hikers, and many outdoorsmen when fishing and hunting. Motorcycle rider also use it for communication within a group. It also doesn’t require the kind of commitment of learning as a HAM radio but, although a HAM radio certification is good to have.

One of the most interesting uses for a CB radio is doing something called “Shooting Skip” which is using signals to try to bounce them off of the ionsphere. Which helps extend the reach of the radio. For the most part it is illegal to try to communicate with a a CB station that is more than 150 miles away but, it is not strictly enforced.

A CB radio is great in a long term grid down situation as previously mentioned and because you wont be the only one using it.