Choosing A Radio
The Age
Saturday December 4, 1993
ONE of the world's most asked questions of the magazines `Caravan World' and `4X4 Australia' is ``what's the best radio to fit to my vehicle?" The answer has been provided on a number of occasions in this column, but, with the Christmas holiday period fast approaching, now seems as good a time as any to look at the issue again.
There is basically no simple answer. Requirements differ from person to person and situation to situation, so we will have a general look at what's available and what you can expect from the service.
The cheapest and most common radio is a CB (citizen band) rig, but there are many types of CB radio, plus of course many different makes and models.
The CBRS (citizen band radio service) came into being during the late 1970s, although many people had been operating illegally for years. It had a boom period during the early 80s but levelled out years ago to remain a useful and interesting hobby, and huge numbers of vehicles are fitted with CB radios today.
Truck drivers were one of the early groups to take up CB as they found that communication between vehicles was helpful in avoiding problems such as police speed traps.
Channel eight on a 40-channel HF (high frequency) CB is the one still used by truckies, and many private motorists also monitor this channel when on the road.
Needless to say, the various police forces are not overly impressed with this, but, unlike radar detectors, it is legal and can be used in all Australian states without fear of prosecution (providing you have a licence).
Travellers, both caravaners and four-wheel drivers, find a CB radio useful for several reasons. These include the ability to obtain information about road conditions, availability and type of accommodatuon at caravan and camping areas and, naturally, police activity up ahead.
The main reason, however, is generally the perceived security gained by the ability to contact someone _ anyone _ in the event of an accident or mechanical breakdown off the beaten track.
The next column will discuss licence requirements for radios.
© 1993 The Age