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Arviat still has strong connection to CB radio

Citizens band is like the original form of social media, says mayor
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Miki Paliksalik passes on some information using a citizens band (CB) radio in Arviat recently.

There are times when newer doesn't always equate to better. And, that can still ring quite true when it comes to reliable modes of communication in some Kivalliq communities.

Arviat Mayor Joe Savikataaq Jr. said citizens band (CB) radio is still a huge thing in Arviat.

He said CB radio has been alive and well in his community for as long as he's been around.

“CB radio is an excellent form of communication between community members,” said Savikataaq. “If you compare CB radio to today's cellphones – cellphones can be quite expensive and you often need a cellphone plan that can come with data caps, where you only have so much data to use. Often, if you go over that amount of data, you have to pay a significant amount to continue using it.

“Also, with cellphones, there's always the possibility of outages. When there's outages, you're cut off from each other and the world, for that matter.

“There's no monthly plans or data caps with the CB radio and, as long as you have power (CB radio can run off any 12-volt battery), you're still connected to each other in Arviat.

“Also, if there are ever any issues with the satellites, that CB radio will still be working. Sometimes, older technology is better.”

Savikataaq said every boat in Arviat also has a CB radio that they use to communicate with each other.

He said Arviat's local channel is channel 14.

“CB radio has always been big in Arviat as far back as I remember. If you drive around Arviat and pay close attention to the houses you are passing, you'll notice a lot of houses with antennas and they're for CB radio.

“It can be a lot of fun just to sit down in the evening and talk on the CB radio, or just listen to what's being talked about. It's used to socialize, for people looking for someone else, selling stuff, wanting to buy something or to let others know if you need something. It's a multi-tool piece of equipment we still rely heavily upon in Arviat.

“It covers everything from entertainment to emergencies in the community. Not everyone in the community has a phone. Sometimes, someone will go on the CB and ask someone else to call the health centre, or the hamlet if they need water or sewage-truck services, for example.

“Sometimes you can listen to people on there talking about the old days and how it was back then versus now. You can often benefit educationally about your community just by listening. In a way, it's one of the original forms of social media here in Arviat.”



About the Author: Darrell Greer, Local Journalism Initiative

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