Why Today Is CB Radio Day
It's CB Radio day? There is such a thing? Well there could be if folks still used the CB radio as much as they did back in the late 70's and 80's. The CB has now been replaced by the mobile telephone. Do you know why today is CB Radio Day?
Why would you want to have a personal conversation on a line that's open for everyone to hear? That was the joy of the CB radio. It was like the old fashioned party line telephones that your parents or probably grandparents had. The CB was the ultimate listening device when it came to secretly listening in to other people's conversations.
The CB was how the traveler and the over the road trucker got roadway information. It was also a great radar detector since travelers would broadcast Smokey reports to warn other motorist of speed traps. There was also a sense of community on the CB. You could find a friendly voice to talk to in the middle of the night, get a restaurant review of the places at the next exit or you could call for help if your car broke down.
The CB really became popular during the gas shortage of the 70's and when the national speed limit was reduced to 55 on the interstate highways as a gas saving measure. Truckers to whom time was really money needed to get their loads on down the highway and 55 wasn't fast enough.
The CB was also glamorized in songs like Convoy and Teddy Bear. It also found a glamorous place on the big screen with Burt Reynolds and Smokey and the Bandit. The movie was about a truck driver, played by Jerry Reed, and his escort played by Burt and their attempt to move a bootleg shipment of Coors Beer from Texas to Atlanta Georgia in a short amount of time.
So why is today CB Radio day? Look at your calendar, it's the tenth month and the fourth day that would make today... You got it! 3' and 8's my friends I'll catch you on the flip side.