If you’ve ever on a lengthy road trip, you may have seen truck drivers chatting on their CB radios with one another. Truck drivers frequently utilize CB radios as a means of communication while on the road. The radio uses a frequency band designated for personal and commercial usage, known as the “Citizens Band,” and it goes by the abbreviation “CB.” Since the 1970s, truck drivers have had a long-standing custom of using CB radios.
For a variety of purposes, truck drivers interact with one another using CB radios. Sharing information on road conditions, such as collisions, traffic congestion, and weather conditions, is one of the main motives. For truck drivers who need to plan their routes and steer clear of any delays, this information may be essential. Truck drivers can communicate with one another via CB radios, fostering a sense of camaraderie on the road.
A CB radio may produce a maximum of four watts. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) established this cap to avoid interfering with other radio services. However, some truckers might utilize amplifiers to boost the CB radios’ power output. This is against the law and will get you fined and other things.
Police personnel and other emergency services also utilize CB radios in addition to truck drivers. However, as many departments move to digital radios for greater security and privacy, the use of CB radios by police officers is declining.
A “Jimmy in white” is a white GMC pickup in CB radio slang. The 1970s song “Convoy” by C.W. McCall helped make this phrase well-known. The song is about a convoy of truckers protesting against onerous rules and exorbitant gasoline costs.
Another expression that is frequently used in CB lingo is “rubber duck”. It alludes to the CB radio’s antenna, which is frequently a tiny, flexible, rubberized antenna. The term “duck” refers to the flexibility of the antenna, which enables it to bend and rebound like a rubber duck in water.
To sum up, truck drivers do communicate with one another through CB radios. Truck drivers depend on CB radios to communicate with one another and share vital information on the state of the roads. Police officers and other emergency services continue to utilize CB radios, although their use is decreasing as more departments move to digital radios. Language and customs specific to CB radio culture include expressions like “Jimmy in white” and “rubber duck.”
A typical CB radio code that denotes “message received” or “affirmative” is “10-4”. It is frequently employed as a means of signaling that a message has been heard and understood.