Changes

==REACT==

==REACT==

REACT (which originally stood for Radio Emergency Associated Citizens Teams), now known as REACT International with the C standing for Communications in place of Citizens, is an organization promoting the use of CB radio for emergency communications.  REACT was founded in 1962.  They pioneered the use of CB channel 9 as a special emergency-use-only channel, which was later officially adopted by the [[Federal Communications Commission]] in the early 1970's.  Between 1969 and 1975, REACT was sponsored by the [[General Motors]] Research Labs.  They reorganized as an independent [[nonprofit]] organization in 1975.<ref>http://www.reactintl.org/react_histry.htm</ref>   

REACT (which originally stood for Radio Emergency Associated Citizens Teams), now known as REACT International with the C standing for Communications in place of Citizens, is an organization promoting the use of CB radio for emergency communications.  REACT was founded in 1962.  They pioneered the use of CB channel 9 as a special emergency-use-only channel, which was later officially adopted by the [[Federal Communications Commission]] in the early 1970s.  Between 1969 and 1975, REACT was sponsored by the [[General Motors]] Research Labs.  They reorganized as an independent [[nonprofit]] organization in 1975.<ref>http://www.reactintl.org/react_histry.htm</ref>   

Today, with the decline in the use of CB except by truck drivers, and the popularity of [[cellular telephone]]s, REACT International although they still monitor CB channel 9 nowadays spends most of its effort on the emergency applications of [[amateur radio]].

Today, with the decline in the use of CB except by truck drivers, and the popularity of [[cellular telephone]]s, REACT International although they still monitor CB channel 9 nowadays spends most of its effort on the emergency applications of [[amateur radio]].

Truck drivers and regular motorists alike discovered CB as a way to keep each other informed about which gas stations were open, and where [[speed trap]]s were located.  Soon the media was running reports on the use of CB by truck drivers, and with the increased public interest in the lives of long-distance drivers (fed by the TV show ''Movin' On'' and the movie ''White Line Fever''), the general public wanted in on CB too.   

Truck drivers and regular motorists alike discovered CB as a way to keep each other informed about which gas stations were open, and where [[speed trap]]s were located.  Soon the media was running reports on the use of CB by truck drivers, and with the increased public interest in the lives of long-distance drivers (fed by the TV show ''Movin' On'' and the movie ''White Line Fever''), the general public wanted in on CB too.   

By 1976 CB had become one of the major fads of the decade, leading to the inevitable songs ("Convoy" by C.W. McCall, "The White Knight" by Cledus Maggard) and movies (''Smokey and the Bandit'', ''Citizen's Band'') cashing in on the fad.  The fad had largely run its course by 1979 when ''[[The Dukes of Hazzard]]'' debuted, but CB radio as a communications medium (as opposed to the popular culture fad) remained popular well into the late 1980's-early 1990's before being displaced by newer forms of communications, including cellular telephones, the [[Family Radio Service]], and the [[Internet]].

By 1976 CB had become one of the major fads of the decade, leading to the inevitable songs ("Convoy" by C.W. McCall, "The White Knight" by Cledus Maggard) and movies (''Smokey and the Bandit'', ''Citizen's Band'') cashing in on the fad.  The fad had largely run its course by 1979 when ''[[The Dukes of Hazzard]]'' debuted, but CB radio as a communications medium (as opposed to the popular culture fad) remained popular well into the late 1980s-early 1990's before being displaced by newer forms of communications, including cellular telephones, the [[Family Radio Service]], and the [[Internet]].

However, cell phones require a monthly fee - whereas with a one time purchase of good CB equipment (some times cheaper than a cell phone), one can reliably talk from one side of the town (or county) to the other to one's family and/or friends.

However, cell phones require a monthly fee - whereas with a one time purchase of good CB equipment (some times cheaper than a cell phone), one can reliably talk from one side of the town (or county) to the other to one's family and/or friends.