"Breaker one-nine. This here's the Rubber Duck. You gotta copy on me, come on" Some of you may recall the song "Convoy" by C.W. McCall from back in 1975. It showcased the use of the citizens band radio in the trucking world. ( A history lesson for those who don't know or remember): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnJEeHND_lQ
In preparation for what is inevitable and the anticipated communications blackout to prevent the people from communicating with each other, it is a good idea to have an alterative method on hand. One such method is taken from a chapter in history that still remains today and that is the citizens band radio. That's right, the good old CB radio. At one time it is estimated that there were approximately ten to twenty million such independent CB radio stations across this country. Today the main users are the truckers who use their CB radios for communicating with each other for everything from traffic and road conditions, reporting of accidents to plain conversations to hlp themselves stay awake. While some may think this idea lacks merit I ask you to consider how helpful a network of this simple and inexpensive form of radio communication really is. Once the internet, cell phone and landline telephones are cut off the CB radio just might be the only viable source. Some may argue that HAM radios would be better but the cost and expertise of operating such a station puts this option out of reach. A CB radio in ones vehicle (mobile) that can operate without household current can allow people to be able to communicate. Besides, a HAM radio can operate on the 10 meter frequency and can therefore communicate with CB radios. The CB radio is very inexpensive, easily obtainable and is easy to operate by anyone anywhere. A radio in the home is considered to be a "base station" and the hand held CB radio allows for communication with family members, neighbors and other CB radio "stations" that can create a nationwide network by relaying important information from peer to peer. It would also be very difficult for any agency to suppress (jam) the entire country across the full spectrum of CB frequencies. The CB radio requires no permit or license to operate although there are some rules that apply to the use and is regulated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). More information can be found by searching the internet while it is still available. I myself currently hold a CB radio License which was required way back in the 1960's, KKX5586. When the popularity took off people just ignored the licensing requirement and adopted a "handle" (a nickname) that they used. Some of you may recall the movie Smokey and the Bandit (1977) or Convoy (1978) where the CB radio played a role. Anyway, just thought it may be a good idea to pass along this idea while it is still possible to obtain the necessary equipment (radio and antenna). Amazon has a variety of CB radio's and antenna's online and you can also find good deals on ebay. Any militia or group of individuals who plan to organize should consider this as an absolute requirement.
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Years ago I had a Browning base station with a 30 foot tower on top of my house. One of those big chrome microphones. The old Browning make a huge "clunk" when you keyed the Mic.
Range on that thing was normally about 120 miles.
A great Idea, that I had not really considered, but is worth my time now.
Back in the day when I was a young teen my girlfriends father was into CB radio and there was quite a community of CBers. I talked my new step dad into buying me a Heathkit CB radio so we could build the radio together like in a bonding project. He wasn't interested so I ended up building it myself on the dining room table. Once completed I applied for my CB radio license and acquired an old 36 inch base loaded mobile antenna that I mounted on a long wooden pole and attached it to the chimney on the roof. I talked to many people and when weather conditions were right I could talk on what was called (still is) "skip" where the radio signal is carried over the upper ionosphere great distances so I communicated with people all over the country thousands of miles away.
With enough people having a radio across the country a network can be established if the distance between the stations are only five miles apart. In this manner messages can be sent in relay fashion from coast to coast in times of peril.
The CB radio operates on the AM high frequency (HF) between the 26.9650 MHz - 27.4050 MHz (40 channels), power output is limited to 4 watts of AM and FM bands and 12 watts for the single side band (SSB). (The wattage is in direct ratio to transmitting power output.) I urge anyone who is not familiar with CB to investigate the subject as it is a very inexpensive alternative form of communication. I just setup my "base" station with a Galaxy DX 2547 CB radio with SSB ($300 on Amazon) and a Solarcon Max 2000 antenna ($121 on Amazon) and from my location here on the west coast I have talked with people in Oklahoma and New Jersey, North Carolina, northern California and Alaska via "skip" conditions. Deals on radios and antennas are available from many sources.and for less than you would expect. "Ten Roger four". Patriot Vet, out.
Yes Patriot Vet, A good CB radio is still a good option. I have one myself. (I used to drive a truck across country). I also have two small hand held mobile HAM radios. Baofeng UV5r. These are available from Amazon.com at around $35 each.
The range on these little guys is somewhat limited but several Militia groups are setting up a list of frequencies for their groups around the country. These are HAM radios and thus they DO require a license to be used legally. But you don't need a license to listen to them.
Also - If you do a Google search on the Internet there is a way to use your cell phone as a "Walky-Talky" . It's just an Ap you can download.. Like everything else that one depends on the cell phone and repeater towers.
All good options and I suggest we all make as much use of all of them as we can.
Hell I'll use smoke signals if I have too.
Breaker PFA. How 'bout it Old Rooster. Ya got your ears on?, Ya got a copy on me? come on. I got started in CB just before the fad swept across the country. Back when it wasn't cool. The Browning and the old E.F. Johnson Viking Messenger 1 White Face were among the most desirable radios. And the mic you refer to I believe was the Astatic D-104 Silver Eagle., another sought after addition to the CBers ideal base station. That mic today is considered vintage and a nice one costs upwards of around $200.
The hand held HAM unit Baofeng UV5RA Ham 2 way radio 136-174/400-480 MHz Dual-Band Tranciver is available on Amazon at a cost of $28.97 Link:
https://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=handheld+ham+radios&...
It wouldn't hurt to have a pair on hand and you are right a license is required to operate them however, in the event of a disaster such as civil war the rules fly out the window. As for the cell phone, the cellular network will be shut down making the cell phone only good for playing games as they will not operate. Radio frequencies on the other hand are a bit more difficult to jam but with today's technology they may be able to blanket the country from satellites wiping out all forms of communications laying waste to all forms of communications making smoke signals the only way the "talk". Nonetheless it doesn't hurt to be as prepared and equippted as .possible.
Many in my family were and are truckers; I myself learned how to drive a cab-over Freightliner in the '70's - never could get the hang of the double-clutch, tho. I had a CB in my vehicle as well, with the handle of "Night Rider." I have now appropriated my OTR trucker sister's handle (no longer driving due to extensive back damage), who used to go by "NebraskaFilly."
It is interesting to learn just how many of us are or have been familiar with the CB radio. You were probably one of the few female truckers of that time (not saying you are old, so don't think that, please). When I was "on the air" it was a time before the use of a "handle" was prevalent and we all used of FCC issued call signs (mine was KKX5586) but I used my girlfriend's fathers call sign until mine was issued so I went by KFA3451 Unit one. It wasn't until after I returned from Vietnam and was discharged from the service in 1970 that I bought a Radio Shack base radio and by that time everyone was using their "handle" so I adopted the handle "Nam Vet" so I can say it is great to make contact with you "Night Rider/Nebraska Filly". I was a communications expert while in the service and carried the unit radio through the jungles of Vietnam. I hope your sister is doing well these days. A trucking family, huh. That's great.
OMG Michael. We have a lot in common. Not only did we have to hump those heavy PRC's we were required to always carry two spare batteries. When we set up on an LZ I was also the operator on the Alpha Lima network and had the responsibility of calling in the huey's with supplies, water bladders, med evac and troops. When the rains came it was necessary to cover the radio and handset with plastic to keep it safe. The enemy also was well aware of the fact the RTO was always next to the Commanding Officer or platoon leaders which were also desirable targets during firefights.
The battalion commanders personal transportation on the pad.
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