CB Channel 4

Why off road clubs and 4x4 groups use CB Channel 4

Many off road clubs, including Northwest Toys, have standardized on CB channel 4 for events.  There are several reasons for choosing that channel.  In the same way that truckers know they can go to channels 17 and 19 on the CB to reach other truckers on the highway's, off road users needed a channel where they had a chance of being able to raise someone else who could actually get to where they are at.

Channel 16 (4x4) is already in use and is common reserved for sideband transmissions only.  As a result, channel 4 became the obvious choice.  Clubs will often designate channel 8 (4+4) as a backup channel in the event that channel 4 is too crowded.

Keep in mind that groups often meet on channel 4, then migrate to another channel to lessen the crowding on the "hailing frequency" and other clubs do use other channels all together, but the next time you are off road, try giving a shout on channel 4, many of us monitor it, even when we are using other channels for a formal run.  If you are in need of assistance or just want to say "hello" to an off road group, try out channel 4 to start.