Breaker breaker 1-9. Come back?
CB radio…..ah the nostalgia. The art of communication over the airways at the push of a button. That crackling anticipation as you wait for a response 🙂 Your handle, aka CB nickname, is called out as you chat away with CB slang that has its own magical meaning.
Today we have Skype, twitter and other chat apps that give us the same instant communication, but there’s something so cool about the CB radio world.
www.cbradio.org.uk is a site that reveals that the CB community is still alive and well. Yes certainly it’s seen as Retro, but for many it’s still the most aesthetically pleasing way of communicating around the world.
The process of finding a channel, pressing the button, talking into the air and waiting…..the hiss and crunch as you switch on and off…..and then that come back. That response. Touch down. 🙂 once communication has been established the almost walkie talkie to and fro convo takes on its own lifeform……. 10-4 good buddy.
So in this modern era of fast communication I’m thrilled that this style of communication is very much underground but in vogue 🙂 Theres a CB radio community and register and for as little as £70 you can get a CB radio and antenna kit. Just pick your handle that’s as unique as you are and you’re ready. Make sure you brush up on the CB slang to ensure you know what to say and understand what’s been said ;D
CB radio started amongst the truckers stateside to communicate on the highway, during their journeys to pass the time and communicate road conditions, pit stops, who’s on the road and the presence of the police. My introduction was through the 1975 movie Convoy. Ahhh Kris Kristofferson, AKA “Rubber Duck”, mmmmm watched that movie over 50 times. I had a bit of a crush there….
Then came Smokey and the Bandit, yup , another crush. “Take your hat off Bandit”
The general  public saw the benefit of CB radio for private communication and started using it illegally, then legally from Nov 1981. They have maintained a lot of the authentic CB terms despite some being more appropriate to truckers. “Put your pedal to the metal, smokey at the back door!”  Once legal in the 1980’s, it was THE way  of communicating locally, nationally and worldwide during that decade, and for some has continued.
On twitter recently I did a CB slang tweet and spent the next couple of hours having a fabulous CB chat with many other enthusiasts. With CB slang being bandied about causing much amusement. So I investigated further and was recommended this fun article. It makes great reading 🙂 and rather than feeling dorky, it did make me want to run out and purchase one. If you would like to buy the real thing, go to www.cbradiomagasizine.com for articles reviews and advice.
Some terms
- Handle – nickname (mine would be soapgirl).
- Good Buddy – how you refer to another until you know their handle or just as a friendly term
- Breaker breaker 1-9 (channel 19) – telling others you’d like to start a transmission (chat)
- Breaker breaker (insert handle eg soap girl) – where you direct the transmission to a specific person
- Come back – Reply please
- Ten Four (10-4) – how to reply yes or to acknowledge you received the msg
- Smokey – a police officer
- I’m Gone – When you are finished transmitting for the night.
So whether you want to go full tilt back into the world of CB radio or be a “dorky” modern CB radio wanna be, makes no odds. The community is strong. You’ll be welcomed with open arms Good buddy.
Breaker breaker 1-9 anybody out there? Come back…..
I’m gone……..
