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Show Afofes From the Canyonlands CB'ers This week we would like to reprint an article that appeared appear-ed in the May 23, 1976 edition of Grit. It offers some very good general information a-bout a-bout CBing, its benefits and costs. "Chances are that you are one of the millions of "good buddies" along the nation's vast citizens-band radio line. If you aren't, you almost certainly certain-ly know someone who is. In the last two years, CB has experienced phenomenal growth. Long the sidekick of the nation's truck drivers, it has become a companion of hundreds of thousands of everyday motorists. "There are countless reasons rea-sons for the popularity of CB. Many operators are attracted to it by the colorful language of CB-terms like Smokey Bears (highway patrolmen), Big 10-4's (many thanks), roller skates (small cars), and others. Then, too, the CB operator has the privilege of devising his own "handle," or nickname. nick-name. Often, nicknames are fanciful, with no apparent logical tie to the individual. Other names, however, give a clue to the operator's occupation occupa-tion or interests. Thus, you have a printing-company executive exe-cutive known along the CB network as Print Man and a body-shop owner whose CB nickname is Fender Mender. Boosts Alertness "Still another side to the popularity of CB is the opportunity it affords motorists motor-ists to converse with another person on long highway trips. This has the salutary side effect of keeping a driver more alert, and , hence, less accident prone, many safety experts believe. Positive aspects are conceded conce-ded even by Smokey Bears, whom CBers often outwit with their radios. "Operators have used their units to inform highway patrolmen of accidents along the highway, enabling them to reach the scene more quickly than otherwise would be the case. CBers also report stolen cars, speeders, and drunk drivers, and provide other information that earns them the gratitude of the nation's highway patrols. Began in 1958 "Citizens-band was created by the Federal Communications Communica-tions Commission in 1958. But it was virtually unknown to the public-with the notable exception excep-tion of truck driversuntil 1974. That year, the nation experienced its first fuel shortage, soaring gasoline prices, and a reduction in the speed limit to 55 miles an hour. "Truckers, complaining loud and long about price increases and the:.reduced , speed limit, organized a series of highly publicized protests which they coordinated on their CB outfits. Almost overnight, the CB craze swept the country. "Between 1958 and 1974, the FCC licensed only one . million CBers. By the end of 1975, that number had skyrocketed sky-rocketed to three million. In January, 1976, the FCC office at Gettysburg, Pa., where CB applications are processed, had 500,000 applications on hand. The FCC estimates that more than 1 ,000,000 CBers are operating illegally without licenses. "Despite the strain CB is putting on limited manpower and resources, the FCC has been doing its part to help CB grow. "The commission has announced an-nounced at Washington, for example, that it is going to break down it $5.35 rule book into three sections. CB operators opera-tors will have to pay only $1 .50 for the section on CB. "Aditionally, the FCC has slashed its license cost this year from $20 to $4. Relatively Inexpensive "Unlike ham radio, which can be costly, CB outfits are relatively inexpensive. This factor, too, has contributed greatly to its growth. "CB authorities say that a citizens-band unit--and the accessories necessary to operate oper-ate it-can be purchased for less than $100. Most sets sold reportedly range in price from $90 to $350. "The Electronics Industries Association at Washington, an organization representing CB interests among others, sees no letup in CB interest. E1A estimates that 8,000,000 to 12,000,000 sets will be shipped in the U.S. in 1976. Estimated retail sales will be two billion dollars." i |