So where do you start once you’ve got your CB set up? A ‘handle’ is what you need, or put another way, your call sign or name, you can get creative but try not to be too ridiculous!

My call sign was Green Goddess, not because I was green or because I was in any way shape or form goddess like but, because I’d run a pub and a Green Goddess was a drink! I hasten to add I didn’t choose it my Uncle did because it was a drink he’d enjoyed. It was only after I’d started using it I found out it was also the name used for old fashioned fire engines!! My sister for some reason got called ‘Little Chicken’ and my father, who was neither a reverend nor called John chose Reverend John as his call sign.

Once a handle is chosen it’s how people will find you on air so choose wisely and remember that part of the reason to use a CB instead of the internet to chat and make new friends is that the people you will normally come across will be quite local to you so you may ‘eyeball’ them (meet them face to face).

Imagine how you’d feel turning up to meet ‘Goliath’ only to find out his name would have been more descriptive if he’d chosen ‘Spotty Runt’, it’s very tempting to choose a name and persona that is more glamorous or exciting than our real persona but it can in the end make you look ridiculous.
I should know, as an overweight married mother of two, turning up with my Father or ex-husband (whose handle I can’t remember!!) the look I got from some people eager to meet Green Goddess was quite daunting to say the least.
You also need to be aware that if someone else is using that handle you have to choose a different one so don’t get too attached unless you’re sure it’s free.

Now you have your rig set up and your unique handle so everyone knows what to call you when they’re looking for you on air, you can start the fun of listening in or participating in conversations about many things, you can make new friends, find old ones and generally hang out on air – enjoy!