Do we still need to use CB radios in trucks?

With the dominance of smartphones this decade, are UHF CitizenBand (CB) radios still relevant for truck drivers? There are a growing numberof valuable trucker-specific apps available to simplify, monitor or entertainthe truck driving experience.  However,when it comes to emergency communication, unlike smartphones, CB radios allowusers to contact anyone without knowing their number.

From the beginning, CB radios were used for truck drivers tosend alerts, road threats and emergency warnings, and could be heard by allusers. The Australian Government authorised service provides 77 channels, 32 ofwhich are allocated to repeater stations that can achieve a transmission rangeof over 100km. The main advantage of the CB radio system is the capacity fordrivers to broadcast any issues on the road to a wide audience.

Australia is vastly dominated by rural areas where phone signalis very limited. If truck drivers begin to rely on smartphone apps and standardphone communication, there would be a segment of people that would miss themessage; putting their safety at risk. CB radios are also beneficial fortourists travelling in campervans, towing caravans or camper trailers as theyare able to listen to and participate in conversations with other CB userswithin a 10-20km range, depending on the terrain.

It is well known that using a mobile phone when driving isillegal across Australia. The CB radio is a safe communication alternative fortruck drivers. The one-touch-to-talk button is less distracting than having todial or search for a phone number using a touch screen.

Some channels are legally restricted and other used by consensus.Here is a list of channels for easy reference:

• Channels 5 and 35 are the designated emergency channels. Tomake an emergency call, switch your radio to channel 5 with duplex on, if noresponse, try again with duplex off. These channels are monitored by volunteers
• Channel 11 is the call channel and is only to be used toinitiate a call and then transferred to a vacant channel to continue
• Channel 10 is mostly used for 4WD convoy, clubs and nationalparks
• Channel 18 is for campers and caravan convoy, mostly used bytravellers
• Channel 29 is the road channel on the Pacific Motorway,Pacific Highway and Bruce Highway in NSW and QLD
• Channel 40 is often used for communicating with road users

There will be moments when having a personal mobile phone isvaluable for communication. That does not mean the CB radio system will bereplaced as it retains a significant role in the safety and communication oftruck drivers and other users around the country.