Way back in the 1970s, CB radio infused the American culture the way the Internet permeates our culture today. Semi truck drivers used CB radios to communicate on the road, warning of road hazards and speed traps, and using CB radios as a way to pass the long hours on the road. Soon, though, the rest of America picked up CB radio slang and everybody had to have his or her own CB radio. Movies like "Cannonball" and "The Gumball Rally" epitomized the use of CB radios, while the song, "Convoy," an homage to truckers by C.W. McCall, was a number one hit. Back then, people used CD radios to listen to the truckers, listen to police scanners, talk to each other, and just generally show off. The bigger the radio and the bigger the antenna, the better. Now it's the twenty-first century and the Information Age, but if you think CB radios are gone, you're wrong. They may no longer be a national craze, but they never went away. Today, hundreds of thousands of CB radios are sold every year. Your neighbor or your best friend may have one. Today's communication is not just all about cell phones, games, and radar detectors. CB radio is alive and well. In addition to their use as communication devices for truckers and for those who live in remote areas, CB radios are considered entertainment by many people. It's fun to listen to the radio scanners. It's fun to listen to the truckers. And you can still talk to your buddies. Best of all, they're not that expensive. If you've never seen a CB radio, don't expect something with a fancy big color screen, touch buttons, and other electronic gizmos. We're talking about real, down to earth pieces of Americana, with switches, buttons, and just a tiny little readout. They're so old-fashioned that they're cool - and tons of fun to boot. Even if you've never heard of terms like GMRS (general mobile radio service), FRS (family radio service), no problem. All you have to do is plug it in, turn it on, and tune in to some of the channels, and soon enough you'll be experiencing a whole different world, being able to listen in on conversations, learn about radar traps, and maybe even hear the latest gossip in the neighborhood. GMRS and FRS are the perfect solution for people who want to communicate with family members who are a relatively short distance away. They're much higher quality than walkie-talkies, and can be used in the city or in the wilderness. Cellular phones might be all the rage, but for great communication at a great price, you can't beat CB radio, GMRS and FRS. |
