[Jerry]

The following comments are copied from the Files section at Backroad Drivers Northwest:

Communications

We use CB radios. We use them to communicate driving directions, to warn others in our party of oncoming vehicles, to inform the group that we are stopping for pictures or making a rest stop, to point out natural features and to just plain chitchat. In this age of high-tech hand-held personal communication devices we still recommend the good old fashioned CB radio.

Family Radio Service (FRS) hand-held walkie-talkies are great in many circumstances and they can be used successfully to communicate between vehicles at close range. The advantage of CB radio is that it generally has a longer range and they are widely used by commercial and sport users in case you need to contact someone in an emergency. It is a relief to know the driver of that log truck heading down the hill will be looking out for you after you announce over the designated CB channel that you are heading his way. Yes, you can actually talk with the driver of the truck.

CB radios come in convenient sizes, various price ranges and they can be temporarily mounted in your vehicle and removed at the end of the day without a trace. Usually an inexpensive radio will work just fine, but spend a little extra for a good outside mounted antenna.

Without going into Radio Transmission 101, it is generally best to use the tallest antenna possible for your driving conditions. If the antenna is too low you will not be able to converse with other vehicles after we spread apart (we could be separated by more than a mile in mountainous terrain) and if the antenna is too tall it will snag, bend or break on overhanging brush and branches, to say nothing of your garage door. There are some easy solutions including temporary magnetic mount antennas or permanently mounted antennas with quick-disconnects that allow various lengths depending on the conditions.

For the best advice seek out a specialty CB Radio shop and discuss your needs with an expert.