Drivers either love CBs or hate them. Many won't even turn them on in and around major cities because of the verbal garbage on the airwaves. Others swear by them (instead of on them), as a source of highway information, and a source of comradeship and friendly conversation while in the isolation of their cabs.

Sometimes there's too much talk and not enough information; drivers, I wish you'd take your private chats to another channel. Most of us are not interested in how you laughed when your dispatcher broke his leg or whether your kid's football team beat their cross-town rivals. But whatever you say over them or about them, one thing's sure about CBs. Almost everybody has one.

And everyone has a story or three about how a CB got them out of a jam. I remember one run from Toronto to Chicago. I left Toronto after Friday rush hour, around 7:30 p.m. About 100 miles west of Detroit, my eyes were getting heavy. It was the end of a long week and I was tired, but with appointments the next day, I had to keep going. The CB was almost too quiet … until, in desperation, I called out, "Anyone out there want to ratchet-jaw [engage in a lengthy conversation, for those not used to the jargon] to help keep a tired west-bounder awake?"

Within seconds, we had a five-vehicle convoy keeping an eye on each other all the way to Gary. I've got to think when I talk, and thinking helps keep me alert. From what you tell me, it works for many of you, too. And if you need any more reasons to use a CB, you can get directions, road reports, instructions on where to spot your trailer, or safety directions when backing up. A few years ago, a report of I-80 being closed by a blizzard gave me enough time to get to a motel instead of being trapped in the snowdrifts.

Although they've been with us many years, CB radios are continually being refined and improved. Each radio's basic circuitry must be approved by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC), a lengthy process. That's why manufacturers tweak their products or add features to existing circuits, instead of developing radically new designs.

CBs 101

Basic CB radios have three controls: channel selection, volume and squelch. The first two are self-explanatory. Squelch eliminates background static, electrical noise, by decreasing the sensitivity of the radio to incoming signals.

Antennas Determine How Well You Get Out There are more antenna manufacturers than there are CB makers, and if competition is a good thing, you are the winner. Regardless of how good a CB radio may be, its performance can be destroyed and its circuitry ruined if the antenna is not right for the radio. That is why getting the SWR as close to 1.0 as possible is important. A good antenna should have a means of adjusting overall length, either with an adjusting base or a tunable tip. Some require the loosening of a set screw and the re-positioning of a wire whip. Others have a removable rubber tip protecting a screw that serves as the adjustment mechanism. It may take only an adjustment of only 1/8 to 1/4 inch to adjust SWR to optimum levels. A "perfect" antenna is a 102-inch whip, because that is the length of a harmonic of a CB radio wave. But 102-inch long antennas are impractical, so we get the same electrical effect by coiling 102 inches of wire around a shaft. That is why our common antennas work so well. Most truck antennas are fiberglass wrapped with copper wire. The longer the antenna, the thicker the wire can be. Thicker wire has less electrical resistance than thinner, and the less resistance, better transmission and reception will be. A budget antenna can provide a perfect SWR, but with thin wire, the outgoing signal may be less than the legally permitted 4 watts. Most antennae will work with legal 7-watt input/4 watt output CB radios. But some drivers insist that their signal be stronger than anyone else's, so they can interrupt everyone else's conversations whenever they want. They put linear amplifiers — "kickers" — online to boost the radio's output signal 50 to several hundred times. With linear amplifiers, you must use heavier antennas, most of which use massive, base-loaded coils to absorb the excess power and dissipate some of the heat generated by the high wattage. Ordinary radios can function quite well for everyday tasks with ordinary antennae. Some antennas are designed with their own simulated ground plane for use with fiberglass cabs, but most must be mounted on a metal surface. Many CB technicians will add an 18-by 18-inch (minimum) steel sheet on the roof below the antenna, and run a ground wire to it. Wiring from the CB to the antenna should be as short as possible. Don't coil excessive lengths of wire. That sets up electrical interference between the loops, which decreases signal strength. A CB shop can splice your wire to exact length, or you can run it around the cab. You'd be surprised how proper wiring and a good antenna can improve your radio. I was.

Squelch also reduces the range of signals that can be received. It is entirely possible that the signal you transmit is going out 20 miles or more, but with your squelch turned up to get rid of static, you may hear replies from only three to five miles away.

Most drivers need only five miles' reception, which is about four to five minutes driving time. We all get reports of activity way ahead, at, for example, the 167-mile marker when we're at the 94. Whatever the report, it's almost certain to have changed by the time we get there. Five miles' warning should be good enough range for most of us, except for major emergencies like road closures.

Basic radios run around $50, with specials often taking prices lower. Basic models from Cobra, Midland and Uniden are commonly available at most any truckstop. The makers also have increasingly sophisticated radios with more circuits and conveniences; fully featured, top-of-the-line models going for up to $200.00.

Other manufacturers also make excellent radios, some with unique features. Cherokee, made by Wireless Marketing Corp., uses a fiber-optic system called Light Pipe Technology to set the entire front panel of its Nightrider radios aglow at night. Galaxy's top models feature an automatic SWR circuit to help antenna output, and variable power output for talking with nearby trucks. Even Maxon's basic set has push-button tuning and last-channel memory.

CB Extras

Here are some of the added features found on many CB radios.

Microphone Gain: Sometimes called a power mic, this increases the signal from the microphone to help the radio sound stronger to distant listeners. The downside is that your signal may be over-modulated to receivers close in. Too much mic gain results in a louder signal that may not be understandable. It should be used with moderation.

RF Gain: This circuitry helps separate an incoming signal from background noise, softening incoming signals.

Noise Blanker/Automatic Noise Limiter (ANL): These two filtering circuits remove or reduce internal radio frequency interference. They are often used together for maximum effectiveness.

SWR Meter: This meter measures the Signal Wave Ratio, an indication of antenna efficiency. The SWR should be 1.5 or below. If above 3.0, excessive heat can develop inside the radio as the circuits work to push the signal through the wiring and the antenna.

Preset Channel Switches: These switches allow you to tune directly to the emergency channel, channel 9, without having to dial through other channels. Top-of-the-line models have 9/19/Ch switches that let you pre-tune to any pre-selected channel, then switch to channel 19 for general conversation. When you want a "private" conversation, you can flip one switch without announcing where you're going … provided the driver you're talking with also knows the channel to go to. When you're done, no flipping through the dial. One switch and you're back on 19.

Antenna Warning: If the radio has an internal monitor for SWR, it will light a red LED to provide a warning before the circuits overheat.

Signal Meter: Often coupled to the SWR meter, which works when you transmit, a signal meter measures the relative strength of an incoming signal when you receive. This can be useful to someone asking for a radio check. By comparing the distance between you with the strength of the incoming signal, the other person gets an idea how well his/her radio is transmitting.

Tone Switch: CBs usually do not have bass and treble controls, but Cobra has a three-position tone switch in some models.

Back Lighting: CBs were often difficult to operate at night until a driver became totally familiar with the location of all controls. Newer offer backlighting or electro-luminescence to make controls visible without causing much distraction.

Advanced Noise Reduction: New circuits can eliminate as much as 90 to 95% of background noise while boosting output signal. Cobra's SoundTracker works most effectively with other Cobra radios also equipped with S/T. The company advises that S/T be turned off in congested metropolitan areas.

Uniden's Dynamic Squelch Control and Midland's ESP2 Technology also help clarify reception. Midland's patent pending circuit senses the strength of the signal being processed and adjusts if necessary to boost the signal and filter out more of the high and low frequencies. This allows middle frequencies, including the human voice, to come through more clearly.

Weather Radio: At the touch of a switch or the push of a button, up-to-the-minute weather information can be received from as many as 10 NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) channels. Some radios with Weather Alert circuitry can receive NOAA Severe Weather alerts, sounding a warning tone from the CB.

Remote Speakers: CBs have small speakers on the bottom of the set, since many are mounted high overhead. For dash or console mounted radios, extension speakers allow unobstructed sound, often through better quality speakers. Cobra's top model lets you hear your own transmission, much like listening on the telephone when you talk.

Most CB radios are permanently attached in the cab, either overhead on a bracket, or on the dashboard. For team operations, or when working with a helper, a hand-held portable offers the convenience of mobility. A fully featured portable will include a belt clip, LCD readouts, channel scanning, instant 9/19 switching, weather channels, and full 40-channel operation.

Portables work on alkaline, NiCad or NiMH batteries, 12-Volt vehicle plugs or a handy wall charger. Many have jacks for optional speakers. microphones or headsets. Most come with flexible rubber antennas, but with a $3 adapter from Radio Shack, you can connect to any fixed antenna.

Wherever and however you use your CB, as a tool of the trade or a means of entertainment, the newest CB radios have features to improve its effectiveness and increase your pleasure.