I had a brief moment in thought where I said to myself, "Wouldn't it be cool to put a new CB radio in my new Ranger Tremor?" I think it would more for the nostalgic idea of it all versus being that useful. I don't know much about CB's or the tech, but they seem to have gone almost obsolete with cell phones and quality hand held units.

Could anyone share your thoughts on if this tech still has value? I do hunt in an area outside cell service in the back country of Idaho. Thanks all.

 

CB's are still in use but usually by local groups or clubs
They are great for local communications vs cell phones, if your friends have them as well

And off-road they may be the only way to talk to others in the group

 

I've had one in my truck for at least 8 years, and barely ever hear anything on it aside from losers with high powered radios on channel 6 and the occasional trucker looking for a "good time".

I have the weather radio function on mine, and that's about all it gets used for. I occasionally work on a small farm, and they have a CB in the tractor. I have used it to communicate with whoever is in the tractor if I have my truck in the field, but it's a rare occurrence.

 

thanks you two. Seems like it's only worth it if I have regular hunting buddies in separate trucks with me. And even then, it seems like a hand held radio is superior and less bulky.

 

I have run a CB radio for many years. It can be a very useful tool, but they don't have much range. Most of the groups I run off-road with have gone to Ham radios. At first I resisted because they are more expensive and require an FCC license. I eventually gave in and installed a Ham radio. Now that I have one, I will never go back unless one of my groups requires it.

Ham radios have excellent range. I have transmitted 25 miles (simplex) without using a repeater. The reception is much clearer too.

There are some pretty good inexpensive hand held Ham radios too, but they have less range. Connecting to an external antennae improves that.