Out west everyone uses HAM radios like this:
http://www.amazon.com/BaoFeng-…cs&ie=UTF8&qid=1458571148
So much easier to use, no tuning, range is far out of the box, tons of frequencies. Technically you need a HAM radio license to operate it which is where the problem comes in otherwise I'd say we should start trying to get everyone off CB's.
erager84 - I have a Firestik, I'm sure there's a bunch of other good brands too. Whatever you get I suggest taking it to a cb shop and having them put it on the SWR meter. The club used to have one but it's in the wind last I knew. I think tuning it properly is more important than the brand. There's a place on Naaman's Rd in Wilmington that will do it, not sure about down state.