The CB radio was invented in 1945 by Al Gross. Initially, the CB was popular with working class employees such as: carpenters, plumbers and electricians. They often used the CB to communicate with coworkers and home base. CB clubs began to form and the hobbyist created their own slang language along with ten codes that were similar to those used by emergency services.


It could be said that the CB radio was the original social media platform. The 1970’s witnessed CB usage explode. The United States government had issued a 55 mph nationwide speed limit in response to the sky rocketing fuel prices. Truck drivers and car drivers alike learned that CB radios were a great took for communicating with other drivers to find out where gas stations were located which still had fuel available and to notify speeders where “police” had speed traps set up. The original 23 channels soon became crowded and in 1977 additional channels were opened up and the 40 channel CB radios were introduced into the market.


Events in the news added to the excitement as reports of some truck drivers used the CB radio to organize convoys to protest against high fuel prices and new trucking regulations. This new found communication device also started to play an important role in movies such as: Smokey and the Bandit, Convoy and various television shows. Also, on the regular radio the song “Convoy” by CW McCall was played quite regularly.


The CB radio up until now still required a license from the FCC to legally operate. The cost was approximately $20.00 in the early 1970’s and fell to $4.00 in the late 1970’s. There were many rules to be followed in regards to antenna height, distance restrictions, allowable transmitter power and call sign rules. Large numbers of people ignored these rules and began using “handles” to identify themselves on the CB radio. Eventually, the FCC dropped the license requirement after being overwhelmed with millions of applicants per month. The new culture was already developed and people continued to use handles in place of their real name or call sign. This could be compared somewhat as the new social media back then. It was so popular that even former first lady of the United States Betty Ford had a CB handle which was “First Mamma.”


A form of etiquette began early on in which you weren’t to chit chat for more than a few minutes as this was deemed uncourteous to tie up the channel for others. It was also frowned upon to curse or key up your mic while someone else was transmitting. As the radio became increasingly popular, most of the etiquette was completely thrown out the window and a new type of person emerged, often referred to as a CB Rambo. Being behind a mic…the so called CB Rambo would often say things that he/she wouldn’t say to someone in person or face to face. With all of its popularity, the airwaves became crowded and courtesy and etiquette were gone. However, the slang remained and even transcended the CB and became part of everyday vocabulary. For example, you will still here people today say 10-4.


As we advanced into the cell phones, satellite radio and other social media communication, the use of the CB waned to the point that I can listen to channel 19 without hearing anyone for a long time. I sometimes wonder if we are farther ahead as I’ve encountered times when it would have been beneficial if someone would have been listening or tuned in to the CB. For example, when I see a truck ahead of me with a tire going flat or a strap coming lose on a flatbed load and there is no way to communicate. Usually, I just have to drive up and wave my mic to the driver in hopes that they get tuned in in order to alert him/her of the situation. Also, CB’s are important to pre-warn one another of upcoming traffic congestion or hazards up ahead. Today, if you’re not tuned in and if nobody is transmitting, hazards such as a crashed vehicle just ahead, around a curve etc… are not made known.


I wanted to write this blog as I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the CB and its role in highway safety in the past and maybe even in the future. Facebook, Twitter and Instagram are great forms of communication; however they don’t serve to warn us of important highway hazards that may lie just ahead or around the bend.


I wonder how many of the large vehicle pile ups that we’ve seen recently could have been avoided by someone keying up their mic to warn drivers about an accident. Drivers traveling the opposite direction could have been notified potentially, however those drivers would need to have their CB radio turned on and turned to channel 19.










 

Comments (5)

Henry Albert

Henry Albert is the owner of Albert Transport, Inc., based in Statesville, NC. Before participating in the "Slice of Life" program, Albert drove a 2001 Freightliner Century Class S/T™, and will use his Cascadia for general freight and a dry van trailer. Albert, who has been a trucker since 1983, was recognized by Overdrive as its 2007 Trucker of the Year.

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Ever wonder how a driver was able to communicate long distance before the cb radio made its debut?

I had one in my truck for quite a while, and wound up taking it out. Nothing but a lot of non sensible broadcasts tying up the channels preventing anyone from ever being able to communicate.

I found that visual warnings were more efficient and effective to warn drivers who are paying attention.
Hazard lights, or tapping brakes a couple times to warn of packs of deer, or changing lanes so a broken down vehicle on the shoulder can be seen,
have been more effective.

Highway 2 in Alberta from the North to South is curvy in sections, has many dips and rises, and has a variety of weather. Paying attention to what is happening to the vehicle, (combined with 1/2 mile following distance) can give small hints as to what is coming your way.

June 20, 2015 8:56:13 AM

We still use the CB regularly while on the fires and while doing other work. It works well to communicate back and forth with the road graders we support. I also use it in my personal vehicle, especially in the winter when driving through the cascade mountains. I wouldn't be without one.

May 07, 2015 17:00:08 PM

Yeah I normally turn it down when there's a lot of nothing being said. 🔇then after a while I turn it back up🔊

May 06, 2015 17:25:09 PM

A couple of years ago, about 2am on I-84 in Oregon a driver hit a loose black Angus cow, there was plenty of warning on the CB, for those that had their radios on. A set of doubles did not, and ended up getting totaled after hitting the dead cow in the road.

May 06, 2015 7:44:26 AM

In the last few years, I have come back to the CB. I was off of it for more than a decade. All of the whining, complaining and the CB Rambos became too annoying. It has gotten quieter. You are more likely to hear actual courtesy.

May 06, 2015 5:08:14 AM