Are CB Radios A Thing of the Past?

January 23, 2019

There are many differing opinions when it comes to the CB Radio. Some truck drivers claim it is a thing of the past, no longer relevant in the age of smartphones. Others could not imagine driving their truck without one.

RoadPro Family of Brands conducted a survey to find out exactly how relevant CBs still are, and here are the results:

RESULTS

Out of 3.5 Million Professional Drivers in the United States, 90% of those drivers believe the CB Radio is a critical tool. Nearly 75% of professional drivers use a CB daily! According to the survey, 5.9 million CBs are currently in use. Thus, proving CB Radios to be a very popular tool of today.

WHY?

According to today’s truck drivers, CB Radios are necessary in order to communicate with other drivers on the road. The #1 reason professional drivers still use the CB is for safety and communication.

The age of smartphones does not help if you do not have the fellow drivers’ number. However, the CB opens that channel of communication to help other drivers become aware of potential safety risks or trip delays.

In many instances, truck drivers have been saved from hours of sitting in traffic because a fellow driver was able to warn them of an accident on their route.

In other instances, it helps drivers relay information on the cause of a delay, so they can be informed and know what to expect.

Other times, it allows one driver to contact another about a potential issue with their truck, that they may be unaware of. CBs open the line of communication, providing safer and smoother travels for drivers.

If you’re interested in purchasing a CB Radio, but are unsure of what to get, there’s an entire resource library dedicated to building the best CB system for your truck. Another great resource, is to explore the various CBs we offer. This way you can be educated before you arrive at the travel center to make your purchase.

Join the discussion in the comments! Do you use a CB?

Join our community of Truck Drivers on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/roadprodriverslounge/

Hector Verdejo

January 23, 2019

I don't care what technology is available I will always have and use a cb...I'm old school!!!!!!
Hector Verdejo

January 23, 2019

I don't care what technology is available I will always have and use a cb...I'm old school!!!!!!
Roger fry

January 24, 2019

My c b never gets shut off period
Sc Underwood

January 24, 2019

Have one in big truck and in personal vehicle and will always use one.
Gary d riley sr

January 24, 2019

No
Paul Grod

April 5, 2019

I am interested where I can purchase K40 antennas at wholesale prices. Does anyone know ?
RoadPro Family of Brands

April 5, 2019

Hey Paul,
Unfortunately, unless you are a retailer, we are not aware of the opportunity to purchase antennas at their wholesale price.
Cinthya

February 13, 2020

I am new to the trucking community & I'm wondering what are the common channels to connect to?
Ronald Lester

February 24, 2020

I got my old CD unit out and hooked it up with the same attend I used on my car I tried channel 19 and 2 but never picked up anyone. I am 6 miles from route 50 near Cambridge, MD I asked for a signal check and no reply's and my CD shows I had sent a good signal
paul

April 4, 2020

Even though a ham for long time,I believe all forms of communication have their places and purposes. Like any tool,depends how is used.
Paul

October 18, 2020

Used am and then ssb cb in the 70's. A lot of fun. Is a tool a d communication aid. All depends on it's use. Am a ham now,but believe the cb mode of wireless communication still fun and valuable. Had talked to and met in person a lot of nice a d interesting people. Learned a lot too
Andy

November 17, 2020

We need to update and use the GMRS band for CB. GMRS radios use FM and work much better. CB radios use low quality AM modulation. Or, change the current CB band to FM instead of AM. Get out of the 1950s and use better technology that is still cheap and easy. Switch CB to FM modulation.
Gary Greenough

December 3, 2020

I recently drove to San Diego from northern California. I installed a mag mount and a CB in the pickup. I used to be entertained while travelling, and thought it would be a good way to wile away the time, listening to the chit chat of the truckers. CB has helped me at times with directions, accidents and of course, the old 'bear' reports. All gone. Nine hours on the road, down south and back, NOT A PEEP on the radio. My portable CB has a scan function of all 40 channels. NOTHING....even the Grapevine, which used to be really active, not a sound. Through the central valley I heard some mexican farm workers using it, and of course that dreaded channel 6 being used by someone running a linear somewhere in the US, but except for that, truckers were silent. I even got on the air on channels 17 and 19 and asked the question, where are you guys? Silence. Many trucks running with antennas, but nobody was talking.
Tim

March 8, 2021

I have been a cb'er as far back as I can remember but now days I turn one on and all I hear is static never hear any one talking I can remember back when it was hard to talk on my cb cause everyone was talking and keying over me nodays nothing where I where have all the cb'ers gone
Steve

June 10, 2021

When I was in the marines in so. Cal, at night we would tune the hf radios to channel 19 and click the mic. We were located 3 miles from highway 5. At 200 watts and 400 on sideband. Click the mic for 15 seconds and the air was dead until new car came down. I am guessing radios were not set up for such a large input signal.
joann bogart

September 4, 2021

What channels do truckers use these days for over-the-road traveling?
John

January 28, 2022

Ibreently hooked up my general leer.w a small
Power supply for home..Everytime I turn it on
Just hear static.am fm lab USB..a b c d ef
What kind of attenia is best for indoors land lord said no for roof ?
What the frequency that any body uses these days..thanks for the help .
Les Cook

February 10, 2022

I not only use a CB in my truck on the highway for safety and accident avoidance, I also use one on my Honda GoldWings. I appreciate truckers’ communications so I can get off the highway and take an alternate route.
James trussell

March 15, 2022

U got cbs
Barry S. Cogan

May 30, 2022

Had a CB Radio in the late 70’s and early 80’s.
Just purchases a new one and look forward to getting back with a CB Radio.
Handle is “The Shadow”
akqj9

January 26, 2023

Been driving OTR since 1993, last time I owned a CB was 2008, when I switched it off and started listening to podcasts and radio on demand. So about half my career was spent listening to noise toys and CB Kung Fu fights and all sorts of mental illness, and the second half has been spent learning about world, the news and history, enjoying great works of literature, and being entertained by intelligent conversationalists.

I wouldn't own another CB if truck stops started giving them away for free.

Are CB Radios A Thing of the Past?

Join the discussion in the comments! Do you use a CB?

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