Effective communication is a must when traveling on the open road. Stew Oleson and Bill Livingston show you a two way radio system from Cobra. Note the price of this product may have changed since the taping of this video. What a great way to cut down on cell phone bills when traveling.
Some options starting around $30 for purchase from Camping World are:
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Patrick W. Tribbey
Speaking of CB radio, reminds me of a trip down the Florida Keys, late 70’s or early 80’s. Further I went down the Keys, the quieter the radio got——and I believe Ch. 13 was used for RV’s. [Not official by FCC ~ by the RVers]. Hardly any skip or noise or “garbage” on 13 or 19. Haven’t used a CB radio in so many years think I’ve forgotten how to operate one. Do remember a young lady that got the handle of “Sugar Britches” on 19 whilst traveling down Fla. years ago. Said a Baptist Minister gave her that handle. Truckers sure teased her alot. CH 9 used to be the “Emergency Channel”, but was nearly wiped out due to the fact that so many people had linear amplifiers on CH 10. Emergency communications was almost impossible at one point. I even had an amateur radio license, and even on the “ham’ bands, one guy was running WAY overpower—–2,000 watts, (at least), on CB radio—–and I couldn’t even communicate there, either. Sure hope that has changed!
Would FRS radios be good for backing into a campspace at o’dark thirty?? Watching my wife in the mirror, telling me ‘Come this way’ gets to be EXTREMELY frustrating and I can’t see nuttin’ ’cause it’s so dark!!!!!
Glenn O : Do like your suggestion that RVers use CB radio—-why don’t we all go back to the basics of CB radio? Like I previously mentioned, use CH 13 somewhat like an “Rvers Communication net”, and we will be able to talk to each other and exchange info on road conditions, etc. All in favor, say “Aye”! 🙂
(Anybody got a copy of the 10 codes??)
Have a good day today and a better one tomorrow!
Debbie McMillan
I still use my CB- but mostly to listen to what the truckers are saying about me. Last year a trucker behind me nearly had a heart attack because of his anger about my speed. I was right on the speed limit – boy was he surprised when he found a lady on the other end of his line.-when I told him to relax and enjoy the scenery.
John Shelton
To expand on GlenO’s comments, I think that the cell phone is primarily responsible for the decline in CB radio use………..that, and simply the fact that it is now “old news” (last year’s toy). It is even no longer just assumed that a trucker will have a CB radio in their truck. Years ago, some organization attempted to designate CB channel 13 (or was it 15?) as the RV channel, but it just never caught on. RV’ers just have never been “highway ratchet-jaws” in any big way.
Mike, the old 5 watt (final amplifier input) designation was replaced years ago by a 4 watt output regulation. This was deemed easier to enforce and replaced the previous 5 watt limit.
GlenO
In the old days the CB radio was a big hit. Now mainly truckers still use them. I often have wondered why us RVers don’t use them more to communicate with each other going down the roads. Seems like very few RVers use them?
I think it would be neat for Rvers to own a certain channel somewhat like the truckers do for common trucker talk? Your thoughts?
GlenO
i surprised that the CB hasn’t made itself back into popularity for use with Rvers on the road. Years ago everybody had to have a CB, then the fad died. But with the huge increase in RVers out there you would think the fad of RVers communicating on the road would have become as common as the truckers still doing it?
Any thoughts on this trend out there?
Mike
I do not understand how the makers & sellers are allowed to advertise the ridiculous “mileage” for these radios. I believe they are limited to one watt of output power compared to 5 watts for a CB. They are “line of sight” radios, you have to have a view of where the other party is to communicate. Our group has tried to use them on the road and are lucky to get two or three miles out of them while driving.
They can be used in a campground, but why not just get out and walk a hundred yards to where your companions are?
GMAs
Hmmm. Well its not that tough to get a license.. We have been though it several times and its painless.
FRS is nice, CB is common and allows you to listen in on the road reports from the truckers but, what about Ham radio. Soon to be actually re named commucators band radio.
Here you only neeed to study a little book for some info or attend a weekend class then take the test. No FCC red tape . NADA.
Now when you have that you not only can use the VHF band spectrum known as 2 meters and 440 mc. but also what is called HF (high frequency long range). By this were talking around the world long range or down the block.
A lot of 2 meters bands have what are called repeaters. (free and open to all to use) which takes the little hand held radio and allows it to have a increase in area range by repeating the transmitted signal. It is FM so no whistes or scratchy static sounds. so it works out well for caravaning as well as seeing help in almost all cities . ham radio is more structured and orginized than CB or any other. It does require some knowledge (not that hard) of radio but now they don’t even have to learn morse code anymore.
You get your own personal ham call… that others then know you by. Best of all its FREE… except for the radios.. that you have to buy.
FRS and GMRS is good but, for the price ham radio and CB are the two best bets still.
Catchesthewind
You have not seen red tape until you try to get a FCC license. First you have to contact the Philly office to get a number then using that number you contact FCC in DC to get your license. And the packet of forms that they send you is a wonder to behold. I am letting my license expire and I will never deal with the FCC again.
Lauren
It is true you need an $85 permit for the gmrs radios. You don’t need it for the frs channels but you don’t get the range either. I suppose a lot of people use the long range radios without buying the permit either. I have a pair of Motorola and they work good on the road. If you are using them to stay in touch with someone traveling with you they are fine. Just don’t get over a couple miles apart. I also found that if you don’t use them much regular alkaline batteries don’t run down like the rechargable ones do.
Kurt Keilhofer
I’m sure you don’t want tto recommend anything illegal, so everyone needs to read the fine print on GMRS radios, they require a license, and the fee is $85, more than the cost of lots of the pairs of radios. The FRS radios do not require a license, but are harder to find, and do not have the range of the GMRS.
Bob
We had a pair of FRS radios. Don’t remember if they were Cobra or some other brand but we could not keep batteries in them. They went dead without even being turned on.