Technical note: CB Radios - part 2.  
 
As stated before, the standard CB Radio has 40 channels and puts out an AM signal of 5 Watts of power; unless that radio was made before 1977, then it is 23 channels. In truth, most radios are set back to about 4 watts of power, and most radios can be pushed to produce more power, as much as 3X the power or 15 watts, if the final output stage can handle that power. Most can push 8 to 12 watts out the box, but only a 'Radio doctor' can peak a radio's output as he has the tools to do so. Most importantly - a oscilloscope to see the signal as it is being put out and adjusted.
 
But there other options a CB Radio can have. Side Band Modulated Transmission is the most popular. It doubles the output of the signal but only 1/2 the carrier wave is being used. Since it doubles the output, it doubles the range and can easily get onto a skip.
 
Just because the radio is bigger and has a lot of buttons, does not mean that it is a better radio. The most popular radio among truckers is the Cobra 19 series:
(modern 40 channel Cobra 19)

 
(older but still modern 40 channel Cobra 19+)

 
(older 23 channel Cobra 19)

 
It is easy to peak and tune, and simple to use. It is a very basic CB radio that can take a lot of abuse.
- - -
 
The older 23 channel radios are stronger as in they can handle a EMP or No Tech Zone area as they do not have Integrated Circuits (ICs). The newer 40 channel radios do and if they are not protected inside a Faraday Cage, can be damaged in a EMP or No Tech Zone.
 
But that is it for standard radios.
 
Most radios can be modified, depending on the radio and the modification used. The Peak & Tune is a modification where one is increasing and cleaning out the signal and its power, and is the basic and needed of all Radio modifications.
 
Another simple modification is the Between Channels all CB radios can have. In the original 23 channels, a "channel frequency" is skipped every 4 channels. This creates an empty slot for a total of 6 "extra channels." Adding a switch to the channel circuitry you can get these extra 6 channels.
 
Note: After channel 24 to 40, there are no more skipped channel frequency slots.
 
More on Mods on Part 3...

Recommendation and reason:
 
Both Hondo and I have the Cobra 148 GTL CB Radio. It is a HUGE Radio when compared to other units, but it has many options. And in RL, our radios are modified to the fullest - Peaked & Tuned to 15watts, 256 channels, Frequency Slider, Built in Faraday Cage, Power Amplified Mic, added outside frequency counter and so on. Outside of a Ham Radio Rig, it is one of the most versatile radios out there. It is what we have in the RPG.

 
But for Jeanette and her Gas Camper, not to limit her by any means, the best radio for her is the Cobra 19Plus or something similar. It is something she can operate while driving without needing to look at it. It is very robust and can give her some subs and uppers (about 20 - 10 up and 10 down). With a Peak & Tune it can push a clean 10 watts. It's push button so she does not have to spend time twisting a dial. She should be listening too channels 1, 5, 9, 14, 21, 25, 33 and 40 with 9, 14 and 21 being the emergency and road conditions report channels.

It is also a small unit, so one can hide it when the camper is parked. And it can fit anywhere. With a good antenna, and if the conditions are right, she can hit a skip with it. Like its larger cousin, it has a built-in Faraday Cage. Very few radios are this good and this small - 1/2 the size of the 148 GTL.
 
If the trailers are going to have their own CB Radios, then I would recommend a walkie-talkie and/or emergency radio for them. They are not really necessary because unless it is crowded, no one would be riding in them. No one SHOULD be riding in them, as is adds to the strain the camper would have in towing the extra weight. As is the trailers don't weight anything - 300 pounds as is, that is 2 extra adults or 4 extra children in weight. Putting people in there and towing it adds to the weight and this the strain the camper has to tow. Plus we and the caravan do not somebody in the trailer transmitting to slow down the camper so they can use the facilities (toilet/bathroom).
 
As for the antenna, I would say a K-40 or 4ft fiberglass whip. They have good range, low SWR and are portable and can be taken down and set up with ease.


 
If Hondo, Arik or Jeanette can find a better option, post it up.

Moro turns to Jeanette. "Several times Fernando said we are not to help. I understood that to be an accusation, meaning we have not done enough to help. What if instead of making an accusation he is requesting us not to help?" Moro sits there a moment. "Have we really taken the free will of others? I thought we are supposed to share."
 
Jeanette Isabelle

Fernando sensitive ears pick up Moro's comments and he turns around, keeping his distance but getting close enough to be heard.
 
"You are so wrapped up in 'Serve thy self' program you can not see beyond your own mistakes and issues. So let me point this out - you are to help out with what you can do with your two hands. Nothing is going to be created, materialized or teleported to assist us. Nothing is going to be floating about the place and fall into place when needed. Besides, you said that it is your job to take care of and teach Elsa. Where is she? If she is not within your line of sight, you are not going your job as a guardian. Macey is always within my field of sensory perception, and if I have to leave to go somewhere, I put her in very capable and trustworthy hands. So stop observing to see what you want to see and take action to help others without the Hocus Pocus Abbra Cadabbra. Right now you should be with Elsa trying to teach her how to control her powers. What are you doing? Being sorry for your self because a few of us questions your motives and your actions. Whoopie Doo! I go through the same damn shit, Wolfie. Worst - I'm being observed and then reported to you. Who are you for anyone to report about me and my actions? You are not my supervisor and you are not my parent. That is nothing short of espionage, and that can be also be viewed as criminal action punishable by the extreme action of death - for that is how the Spy Game works. Now, like I said, I got a friend to find and talk too. So I'll see everyone later." He tells her.

"Good evening, Hondo." Fernando slowly approaches him. "Let me ask a question."
 
"You can ask anythin' you want, Jefe." Hondo replies.
 
"What sets us above all the others that the angels revolted and one third of them deserted heaven to join Lucifer?" Fernando asks.
 
"Is that sum sorta trick question?" Hondo asks.
 
"No, it is not. And I will tell you why." Fernando answers.
 
"Why?" Hondo asks.
 
"According to Milton, Voltaire and many others who wrote on it is because according to them, God gave us something they had - a soul, a spirit, mind you. And in giving Man a spirit, as they have by right, they got jealous that an imperfect construct of a creature receiving a perfect being to reside within it. They claim to be perfect, they claim to be above it all, including us, but they are jealous of what we have and what it gives us. Free Will being one of them. Free Choice it another. The Human Condition is the last. We can do what ever the damn hell we want, and there is nothing they can do to stop us. Now... these so-called spirits. Do they have a soul? I do not think so. Only a few creations of God have a soul because we must be worthy of something. Nothing else has a soul. The cats and dogs on this world would have more of a soul than the spirits claim to have. So, they must be jealous of what was given to us that they would trick us into destroying our selves. But we are not totally gone from this world and we are rebuilding it once again. Yet they claim that their Charlton Texas is such a paradise, that people want to go in droves. But neither  you or I have heard a word from others about it. In fact when I got Macey, the mother was concerned about them influencing her. I'm not going to let that happen, not if I can help it. But why do they need Elsa? Why do they need Gabrielle? Why do they need us? Because what they need done they can not do without somebody taking notice and then take action against them for it if they did. We as noted by the great divine himself are the guardians, protectors and caregivers of this planet. Not them. they need to be told that and to get out. And if they don't, then we are to protect it as we have to as proclaimed by the creator for us to do. But right now we need to know what we are up against because right now I got nothing. See where I'm coming with this?"
 
Hondo nods in thought to Fernando's words.
 
"Good. Then tell Val that we will be back and to keep an eye on Macey. She is to be asleep in hour, and I'll pick her up when we return." Fernando says as he hands over the Yeasu over to him.