CB (Citizens Band) radios have been a staple for truck drivers for decades, providing a reliable, low-cost way to communicate on the road.
While drivers certainly don’t use them like they used to — stats show that less than a third of truckers use them today — CB radios are a helpful tool that you may want to utilize.
Not only do they allow you to communicate with nearby drivers for entertainment, but they can keep you updated on important information about the roads you’re traversing — from road conditions to traffic and accidents.
That’s why we’ve put together our team of experts from the shop and on the road to help you understand how to hook up the technology, how to use it, and some common terms you may want to familiarize yourself with.
A CB radio is a two-way radio system that allows for short-distance communication. The one-to-many communication device enables users to talk to multiple people simultaneously — instead of just one one-on-one like with a smartphone. Because it doesn’t require a special license to operate in most countries, it’s been used for business and personal use.
There are different types of CB radios, including base stations (for one fixed location), mobile radios (for a vehicle), and handheld. All come with four Watts of power and features that allow you to eliminate background noise and static and access emergency and weather channels. Depending on your space and use, you can choose from different sizes, too.
The radio was invented in 1945 but became popularized by truck drivers in the 1970s, a time when the trucker lifestyle was highly romanticized. This was also around the time when fuel prices skyrocketed and truckers would use the radios to update other drivers on which stations had fuel.
Because drivers were also sharing information about speed traps — and they didn’t want to get caught by officials — they created nicknames for identification. Other non-truck drivers who used CBs at the time adopted this practice and began using trucker handles too.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulated CB radios in 1958 and designated which channels could be used for communication. They originally designated 23 channels for use, but that has since increased to 40 channels.
Here's a quick breakdown of how CBs work.
CB radios operate on 40 channels in the 27 MHz band, which is free for public use, meaning no special license is required. Truck drivers primarily use channel 19 to communicate with each other, but the channel they use is sometimes location-specific.
CB radios don’t rely on cell towers, so they still work in remote areas with poor cell service — a huge plus for drivers traveling through rural or mountainous regions. When cellular service goes down during a natural disaster, the CB radio will also come in handy and allow you to communicate with nearby drivers.
Unlike cell phones, CB radios work on a “push-to-talk” system. When you push the button, you're transmitting; when you let go, you're receiving. Only one person can talk at a time on a particular channel.
The range for a typical CB radio is around three to 20 miles, depending on terrain, the quality of the radio, and the antenna setup. CB radios are great for short-distance, line-of-sight communication, making them ideal for updates about nearby road conditions like accidents, construction, and police presence.
Setting up a CB radio is fairly simple, but it depends on the type you purchase. Most CB radios are mounted in the cab of the truck and connected to an external antenna. Antenna quality and placement are key to getting the best performance from the radio. It’s a plug-and-play system, with little setup required beyond tuning the antenna.
Mounting hardware (a U bracket) usually comes with the CB radio, making it easy to mount it under the dash and plug it into the auxiliary outlet. It should be mounted in a spot that’s easy to reach while driving, but it also shouldn’t be in a spot that could block your view or be in your way while driving.
In other words, don’t place the radio behind your steering wheel. It also shouldn’t be in a spot where it's subjected to the elements — excessive sun, soda, or otherwise.
Next, you’ll need to mount your CB radio antenna. Truck drivers can put it on the headache rack or on the mirror mount. Consider the ground plane surface when you place your antenna, which gives you the most radiating surface to transmit a signal.
There are both magnetic mount antennas and heavy-duty CB antennas to choose from — the latter of which requires you to drill holes to mount it.
Once your antenna is mounted, run the coaxial cable from the antenna to the CB radio. Ideally, you should use thickly insulated coaxial cable to protect from the elements.
The next step is to tune the antenna using a Standing Wave Radio (SWR) meter. This will help you optimize the antenna system and prevent damage to the radio. Some radios have this built in, but some don’t, so you might have to purchase one.
If you don’t want to do this yourself, you could always have a shop do it for you. Make sure, if you’re leasing your truck, that you don’t make any unapproved modifications or truck modifications you can’t undo.
Although cell phones and GPS apps have become popular, CB radios are still a valuable tool in the trucking community for fast, direct communication:
Drivers have developed their own language when speaking on CB radios. The following are some of the most popular slang terms you may hear and what they mean:
CB radios may not be as widely used today, but they remain an essential tool for many truck drivers. They offer reliable communication, especially in areas where cell service is spotty, and provide crucial updates on traffic, road conditions, and emergencies.
Plus, they help keep the spirit of camaraderie alive on the road through shared conversations and entertainment. Whether you're looking for practical benefits or just a way to stay connected with fellow drivers, understanding how to use a CB radio is still valuable for any trucker.
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