Chimming in. My truck CB here is got some chatter and its dead a lot of the time. Can't even raise a trucker at times. And I don't know why or understand. But I'm willing to say mine is short range at best. And no one likes to yak with me here. And if shtf I'm back to square one!
My wifes not full blown on board yet and I will likely get through a short period of time. And then its prey. Cb ain't going to help me here. Just the good info I'm learnin' ........
It's not like there's hundreds of people on the 2m band either. Or the 70cm. Or even the 10m. Or FRS. And that lack of other traffic on CB channels seems to suggest that those would be open to you and your group in a SHTF scenario. And you have those empty channels to practice on NOW so you'll be ready LATER - not trying to figure it out on the fly in an emergency situation.
CB can be a good, viable emergency communications method. Like 2m/70cm/FRS/GMRS, it's a short range comm. But that has it's advantages - easily workable by your family/friends/"Mutual Assistance/Group" and it's far less likely to be eavesdropped on by "Big Brother" (if that's a concern for you) because of it's limited range. A good, tactical solution. The radios are fairly cheap and plentiful.
Personally, I'd like to see all preppers get into ham radio. $15 and about 20 minutes of your time taking a 35-question test gets you a "Technician" license. That let's you use the 2m & 70 cm bands without the power & antenna restrictions of FRS. And you can also pick up an easy to use Baofeng UV-5R dual-band "Handi-Talkie" for about $35 on You are not allowed to view links.
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Even with just a "tech" license, you can still pick up an HF rig and use voice in a section of the 10m band. And CW (morse code), RTTY (Radio TeleTYpe) & data (computer files) on multiple bands. In a
real emergency situation, ALL license restrictions are waived and you are allowed to use any means necessary on any frequency.
But don't let me browbeat you out of your preferred communications medium. Take what your CB and find a way to make it work. Even if you pick up a Ham rig (handheld, mobile, or even a base station), it's always good to have a backup, a "Plan B" just in case...