I'm really trying to reduce our spending, and we pay much too much for the cell phone. I just want to be able to call my husband if I have car trouble--that is *all* I want a cell phone for. I drive about 60 miles away from home at the most. In the summer when it gets 100 degrees and I have two small children with me, I don't feel safe not being able to get ahold of him. I've tried to find the answer to this by doing a web search but it's taking me too long to wade through it all. Can we use CB radios instead of a cell phone for emergencies? Would it be cheaper in the long run?

Thanks,

-- Elizabeth in E TX (kimprice@peoplescom.net), February 14, 2002

Answers

I am a CB user. I still recomend the cell phone for emergencies, though I drive 50,000 miles a year and have only needed one once. People are still friendly enough to stop if you are broke down. But, I once could have used one desperately- I was stuck in a snowdrift in Arizona, had come out of Phoenix (and 80 degrees) to help some kid out with his car. Wound up with wiper trouble, pulled over to fix, got stuck and it was snowing fast. I had the cb, asked for help for hours. The battery on the truck went dead, finally, keeping the CB on. NO ONE RESPONDED. Nor did anyone pull over to help, though I tried flagging several vehicles down- I guess they thought I was loony being dressed in short sleeves in the snow, but thats all I had. After 12 hours, a state trooper pulled over, gave me a jump start and told me he would fine me if I tried to go anywheres, because my truck didnt have chains. I told him I would freeze to death if I had to stay on top of the mountain- the truck didnt have a working heater and I didnt have a blanket or clothes. Result: I got a 300 dollar fine. A cell phone would have been worth the monthly rate in that one instance, in fact, it would have paid for itself 10 fold. If you do alot of on the interstate travel, Truckers will always help if they can (especially if they hear a female- its a chivalry thing or something). The road I was on had no truckers. A CB radio is only good for 10 miles unless you spend some extra time, care and cash. 60 miles is reasonable if you have a "heater" on it- its basically an amplifier. Your husband, however, would have to stay within earshot of the CB in order for him to get your message. Cut out the cell phone, unless you are in a remote area with (a crude word of your choice) for cops, and a bunch of very unfriendly folks running around ignoring anyone in need of help. 100 degrees isnt too hot for you to walk slowly to help. The best idea- cell phone or not- is to keep the following in the trunk: jack, lug wrench, fix a flat, a puncture tire repair kit, a bike pump (it will pump up a flat, believe it or not), a small shovel, flares, a blanket or two, a gallon of water, oil, transmission fluid (can be used for power steering fluid), brake fluid, some food, maybe an umbrella, pencil and paper, and jumper cables. These items should come with every car sold in the USA- all have been put to use a time or four for me, and are things that since my ordeal in AZ, I cary everywhere. I also carry a good set of tools, a CB radio, a flashlight, duct tape, fuses, water purification tablets, a knife, and a bag of kitty litter (for traction in mud and snow), a spare water pump, belts, an alternator, a distrubutor, a few old spark plug wires that are in OK shape, 20 foot of wire, electric tape, a propane stove and heater, etc. hehe, survivalist of drivers here.

-- Kevin in NC (Vantravlrs@aol.com), February 14, 2002.

Part of my family in Florida have a combination cell phone and CB. They can use the CB aspect to talk pretty well anywhere in the state. They have a son in the Navy and when his ship passes within a couple of miles of the coast they can CB him also. When my sister's grandkids get home from school they call her on the CB to tell her what happened that day. CB calls are basically free as part of the cell phone package. They absolutely love it. If anyone is interested, I can try to get the name and phone number of their provider.

-- Ken S. in WC TN (scharabo@aol.com), February 14, 2002.

Have heard that there are cell phones or cell phone service that is just for emergencies and something about just 911 service being free. Though most service providers will not tell you this or help you get just emergency service, after all they are a business first. If I find that article again, I'll post it.

-- BC (desertdweller44@yahoo.com), February 14, 2002.

These emergency 911 cellular phones have no monthly phone bill, can dial free emergency 911 calls and make credit card calls or collect calls in most areas. This is all possible because the 911 cellular phones are programed to meet the new FCC 911 cellular rules effective December 1, 1997.

These new FCC rules mandate that cellular phones without a monthly service contract be able to make free 911 calls any where in the US. The FCC cellular 911 ruling takes effect December 1, 1997 and requires carriers to accept 911 calls from non-validated phones (not activated with a monthly service contract) and forward the cellular 911 call to the local public safety answering point PSAP (911 answering center). To place an emergency cellular 911 call, press the numbers 911 and then press the send button.

-- BC (desertdweller44@yahoo.com), February 14, 2002.

CB are ok for emergencies, but only if someone else is listening. Even in TX 60 miles is a long way for CB radio to go. For less flat landscapes 10 miles is max on a quiet channel. CB advantage is that its low cost, You can get radio's under $50. Cell phones are also only good if there is cellular coverage. In very rural areas you might not have coverage.

Cell phones are required to be able to dial 911 without subscribing them to a service or paying any money to a phone company. So this might be an option. Used cell phones are cheap and can be found at flemarkets under $50, most under $25. If you do go this route, I would suggest you check your local cellular provider and see who has the coverage you need. If its available use analog service, you can get higher power 5watt mobiles. These are much prefered to the mico sized, micro power out handheld units.

Other options, Ham radio, requires each user to take a test. GMRS (general mobile radio service), You can license a whole family for $75 (5 years). Higher 50watt power units are available with repeater capabilities.

-- Gary in Ohio (gws@columbus.rr.com), February 14, 2002.

We have been truckers for over 20 years and it used to be easy to get help with just a CB, back when folks and especially owner-operators would stop in a second to help someone in trouble, anytime of the day or night. We still stop and help folks, IF it is not a "city type" area, too many idiots/druggies in the cities make it too risky there!!!

CB's only will work if there are folks listening who care enough to help you, that is a big IF anymore. Our vehicles have CB's, but most of the time we have a cell phone too, I have a hard enough time just getting the road conditions and traffic report from CB users on the road, sure wouldn't want to have to depend on just a CB in a lifethreatening situation.

-- Annie Miller in SE OH (annie@1st.net), February 14, 2002.

the cell phone must be an analogue one and set to recieve the best reception possible

-- js (schlicker54@aol.com), February 14, 2002.

Hi, all the above are very good points.

We live waaaayyy beyond the sidewalks in the State of NE FL where there are LOTS and LOTS of pine trees to block cell phone transmissions. Very slowly we're starting to see those ugly towers pop up and transmission improve, but we don't count only on cell phones for emergencies.

That said, we do have Tracfone digital/analog cell phones in each vehicle, and I carry another on my belt around the farm. The initial purchase price is around $70.00 right now. The nice part about these phones is that there's no monthly usage fee. You just buy a card (like those long distance cards) for 10, 30, 60, 120 minutes. There's a lot more information at www.tracfone.com. I just checked our phones. We've used almost 14 whole minutes since Christmas! Obviously these are NOT "chat-all-night" phones. But when we really need to reach somebody (neighbor, school, 911) they come in handy. And it's cheap communication with no ongoing monthly service payments.

We also have CBs on each vehicle and a base station. This is a large rural agricultural area and most people between here and the city have them, so there's a good possibility someone will hear us.

We also have scanners, portable and desktop. And FRS 5-mile radios. Hope this helps you. Also visit www.plainsmanscabin.com, go to the forum and look for communications section.

-- Michaela (flhomestead@hotmail.com), February 14, 2002.

Any deactivated (no phone number assigned) cell phone can be used as a 911 only phone. The federal govt requires all cell service providers to provide emergency 911 contact to any cell phone, irregardless of service provider or connection of service. I have started putting my old cellphones with disconnected service and car chargers in my low use vehicles as 911 back ups.

-- Jay Blair in N. AL (jayblair678@yahoo.com), February 14, 2002.

I rarely get a usable 10 mile range with my cb's. 2-5 miles is more the norm, even with a quality tuned antenna used at night. I wouldn't want to depend on one in an emergency. You could use VHF-FM if you have repeaters in the area but you could pay for 2 yrs of cellphone service with the cost it'd take to get set up with those. I've never seen a FRS 2-way get a 5mile range. I'm lucky to get a mile with mine and still be usable.

-- Dave (something@somewhere.com), February 14, 2002.

The information about unserviced cell phones being able to get free 911 calls is correct. One cheap way to get a usable cell phone is going to a pawn shop and acquiring one of the old 'bag' phones, requiring being plugged in to your car, and which are being traded in left and right for the new sleeker models. The older phones have better reception; at least my wife's sure beat any portable phone.

Another free service on Texas roads is being offered by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles. DPS has a free roadside assistance, and will come to you if you are stranded. Free battery jumps, gas to get to a nearby service station, and a call for a tow truck are part of the perks. The number is 1-800-525-5555, listed on the back of every Texas Drivers License offered this year. I have heard this service is only offered within city limits, so you might call first and find out the particulars. Hope this helps you.

-- j.r. guerra in s. tx. (jrguerra@boultinghousesimpson.com), February 14, 2002.

One CB that I recently invested in that was well worth its cost was a Cobra WEATHERTRACKER. It has 3 channels that give constant weather information, and make running 1,000 miles with an open trailer full of hay much easier (because its so weather bound- hay cant get wet!) This CB is available from Flying J truck stops for 69.99. It also has emergency channel 9 kickdown button, a small amp, digital numbers (I personally dont like the dial on the channels, but put up with it bc the rest of the CB was a steal) and 40 channels, plus the 3 weather channels. Radio Shack would probabally carry it too, maybe wal mart or the like.

-- Kevin in NC (Vantravlrs@aol.com), February 15, 2002.

I've been fiddling around with my old marine transceiver from my boat. Seems I can make phone calls by getting the marine operator on the line and having her make a call back to the house. I don't like CB's and never have had any luck getting responses on ch. 9 or on ch 20. I usually end with some guy in Omaha when I'm in Mobile, AL. The cell-phones all have 911 capability, but if the battery isn't charged up it's pretty much worthless.

-- george (wycowboy2@yahoo.com), February 17, 2002.