Please explain to a rookie trucker like me why i need a CB radio.

I’ve had one since day one(1980) and wouldn’t start the truck without one. For those that have issues with them, they’ve must of FORGOTTEN that they all have a OFF and ON switch(knob) and a Squelch and/RF gain to adjust for those RAMBOS. YES, get one. And DONT let them seek you a “Butcher” kit(Tweak n peak).

 

Middle of the night, I-40, New Mexico, rolling along, highway patrol has someone pulled over on the shoulder ahead of me, I check my mirror to move over and there's a large car Pete coming up fast but still enough time for me to move over and get out of his way. "Move A-hole" I hear over the cb. I simply replied cop on shoulder. He didn't see him as he was approaching but I'm the A-hole. Mine is always on but I rarely say a word unless it's absolutely necessary.

 

At some facilities, they use the CB to communicate with drivers. This is especially true at plants that load/unload tankers (pneumatics in particular), but I've also been called by gate guards and shipping/receiving clerks at warehouses. There's one facility in Houston that will not let you through the gate if you don't have a CB, because that's the only method they use to communicate with drivers.

Plus, they can be useful for getting weather and traffic reports from oncoming drivers. And, very rarely, you might actually have a decent conversation with another driver at a truck stop, since we can't do that at the restaurant anymore.

 

Maybe 10-20% of truck drivers have/use CB anymore. I almost always had one in my trucks because no app is going to tell you somethings a CB will tell you quickly. But, only 10-20% of drivers have them so it's common to not hear a sound on them on a day without a stopped traffic event. A few customers might still use CB but most customers that do anything will text your phone. It's only about $125, or free with fuel points, and when it is useful its very useful, most of the time its't not very useful. If this is your profession why choose to shut off 1 source of info? It's not like the 1990s where it's non-stop arguments and cursing anywhere you go. But if you are dragging something from your trailer or your trailer lights are mostly not working, or someone is pulling out of a parking space and is offering to help a CB is good. I found it was pretty useful out West in snow and chain weather while the flip-flop menace were asking someone in Hyderabad India what to do I could listen to the experienced drivers with CB spread some wisdom about something.

 

Without a radio how will you know if some dude ain't got no panties on?

 

Beat me to it by a minute

 

Outside of “what lane should we be in?” The best use I’ve ever had was a single delivery. As I was pulling in there were trucks parked everywhere, but there was a sign that said truckers check in on channel 8 or whatever. So I did. I was on time, and had my delivery number and they sent me straight to a door. Everyone else was having to park and walk up and wait in line.

That one moment really made my CB worth while.

 

Why have a CB radio?

Heck....why not?

It's much, much easier for you to be "cool"...as a truck driver...if you have (& use) a CB.

BE SURE you also come up with a cool &/or somewhat mysterious/intriguing "handle"...that truly reflects how incredibly "cool" you really are.

Just using a CB while the truck is moving....even for casual chitchat....should in fact make you feel incredibly cool.

A CB is part of the mystique of why many people get into trucking.

This seemingly inexplicable mystique simply does not exist elsewhere.

This exclusivity explains (in part, at least) why you really should have one -- & use it.

-- L

 

Don’t forget the flip flops and Billy Big Rigger gloves

 

But those accessories won't make you cool -- anything even remotely like a CB radio does/will.

The only other thing that comes close to a CB radio....for the cool factor....is driving a truck with a manual transmission.

The more gears it has...the better....& thus -- the cooler you really are.

Use of a CB radio...while also deftly working/using a truck's manual transmission...is an ultimate illustration/demonstration of cool...within the trucking world.

-- L