CB radios

these days people don't seem to care about using them, I have mine on all the time might have the squelch turned down to where i can only here what's close by within a few miles but most of the time that is time i can jump off and go around the delays

 

I have one, but rarely use it. It is still a useful tool of sorts. I think that the big expensive ones are not as much needed as say a cheaper one, and by that I mean about the 89 to 100 range.

I'd recommend to have one, maybe even a back up one as well, in the event the first one has a melt down, which actually did happen to me once.

 

Yes you need to have one available. Don't have to be a chatty Kathy to find one invaluable. And you'll learn that there are sections of highways where problems occur frequently, and you'll get valuable info ... but sometimes not. When you need it, you need it

Also, there are some shippers and receivers who will want to call you on the CB, and will refuse to call your cell. Without a CB, you'll have to walk who knows how far, every so often to check on your status.

 

I recommend having a CB and keeping it on. for reasons as others have mentioned above. I keep mine on all the time. I too keep the volume and squelch so it isn't blasting static in my ear all day long but can hear if another driver is trying to get my attention or to hear of issues ahead.
in fact, just yesterday my cb saved me. "accident ahead. 3 to 3.5 mile backup. both lanes blocked." I was able to jump off the big road and go around the accident.
how much is your time worth? im figuring I saved myself a minimum of 2 hours. it will pay for itself quickly in my opinion.

 

I find it indispensable, traffic stopped for an accident, backed up for construction, you cant go around stuff if you don't know about it. headlights, taillights out, someone cant tell you if you don't have your radio on. bad road conditions, white outs, micro burst storms where traffic is slow. think of almost any scenario and you must admit knowledge before hand is valuable. I drive thru Mi. a lot, and I don't like to drive 60 mph, it's nice to know where the bears are. Sure, the radio Rambo's are a pain not to mention that guy repeating, "AUDIO" endlessly, but I see it as a small annoyance to put with.
b

 

A CB is a smart persons cell phone.
No number is needed to call someone, or to listen to the party line.
(Does anyone remember party lines?)

I find it most useful to get a route around a traffic jam.

Never discount old technology just because it seems outdated.
And when driving for a living, every source of information can be of serious help.

Never discount new tech either, like a GPS.
The map on the GPS can be zoomed in or out and moved around to find routes around those same traffic jams, without the need to pull the atlas out.
A GPS can be a smart persons atlas, in many situations.

Both, used together, are a very powerful and helpful tool both for yourself and other drivers.

Especially for those old-timers that distain a GPS in favor of an atlas that they have to fumble with while driving; because while they are hunting for the right page in the atlas I have already found the best way around and told many others via the CB.

 

It's actually saved my life a few times.

The video of the Wyoming pileup recently? Tell me how many of those drivers could have saved their equipment if they'd had it on and been using it.

 

I doubt many of those drivers had the chance to pick up the mic before they hit something.
And very few after that were even thinking of it.

One after another after another after another... after another.
They were all going too fast for the conditions and/or following too closely.
Just another case of 'just plain stupid'.