How Useful Are CB Radios in Off-Roading in India?

[the_incorrigible]

I am planning to buy a CB radio to use when I go off the highways. However I am still not sure if it makes sense to buy one as I hardly know anyone who uses it. WIll it work in an emergency? Can I connect to any emergency services anywhere in India via the citizen band?

 

[bhvm]

Nope. Most people don't even know what CB is.

Its useful only when you're going in a Group and other cars are equipped with CBs so they can listen you. For india, Get simple mobile phones with various sims.

 

[krishna6239]

CB are only useful if you are going off the gird into a deep jungle. Otherwise it's not that much useful.

And yes, you can contact emergency services via citizen band.

 

[the_incorrigible]

CB are only useful if you are going off the gird into a deep jungle. Otherwise it's not that much useful.

And yes, you can contact emergency services via citizen band.

Thanks.. Bought, Installed and took it into the jungles. Drove for around 500 kms and couldn't raise anyone. This was in Odisha btw. I would love to know what are the emergency frequencies in India on the CB channels?

Nope. Most people don't even know what CB is.

Its useful only when you're going in a Group and other cars are equipped with CBs so they can listen you. For india, Get simple mobile phones with various sims.

Yes. I do agree, that most do not know what a CB radio is. . I would have assumed that with no license requirement, it would be a must have for any serious off roader / highway drivers.

 

[nidclt]

Which model did you buy? From where? cost etc. Might be useful to those who plans to buy

 

[krishna6239]

Thanks.. Bought, Installed and took it into the jungles. Drove for around 500 kms and couldn't raise anyone. This was in Odisha btw. I would love to know what are the emergency frequencies in India on the CB channels?

Sorry for my late reply,

Have attached a doc please look into it.

India CB channels [4]
Frequency [MHz] Usage
26.964 Hobbyist comms
26.968 [offset] Mountaineering
26.972 Hobbyist comms
26.976 [offset] Mountaineering
26.980 Highway comms
26.988 spare
26.996 spare
27.004 Radio-controlled model aircraft
27.012 Rural comms
27.020 Radio-controlled devices, ex. garage door openers, alarms
27.028 Rural comms
27.036 Hobbyist comms
27.044 Highway emergency (to contact police)
27.052 Highway emergency (to contact EMS)
27.060 Marine lifesaving comms
27.068 Marine lifesaving comms
27.076 Disaster relief
27.084 Disaster relief
27.092 Forestry
27.100 Forestry
27.108 Radio-controlled devices, ex. garage door openers, alarms
27.116 Radio-controlled model aircraft
27.124 Hobbyist comms
27.132 spare
27.140 Mountaineering
27.148 Radio-controlled model aircraft
27.155 [offset] Radio-controlled models, general
27.156 Radio-controlled model aircraft
27.164 spare
27.172 Rural comms
27.180 spare
27.188 spare
27.196 spare
27.204 Mountaineering
27.212 Rural comms
27.220 Sports events
27.225 [offset] Radio-controlled models, general
27.228 Radio-controlled model aircraft
27.236 Highway comms
27.244 Sports events
27.250 [offset] Radio-controlled toys and gadgets
27.252 spare
27.260 Radio-controlled toys and gadgets
27.268 spare
27.276 spare