CB Citizens Band Radio Service

Citizens' Band radio (CB) is a system of short distance, simplex radio communications between individuals on a selection of 40 channels within the 27 MHz or sometime call the 11 meter band. The CB radio service should not be confused with FRS, GMRS, MURS or amateur 'HAM' radio.

CB Radio History

The Citizens' Band radio service originated in the United States as one of several personal radio services regulated by the FCC. These services began in 1945 to permit citizens a short distance radio band for personal communication (e.g., radio controlled models, family communications, individual businesses). Originally, CB was located in the 460-470 MHz UHF band. There were two classes of CB: A and B. Class B radios had simpler technical requirements but were limited to a smaller range of frequencies. Al Gross, inventor of the walkie talkie, started Citizen's Radio Corp. in the late 1940s to merchandise Class B handhelds for the general public.

The technology at the time was not advanced enough for UHF radios to be practical and affordable for the average consumer. So, in 1958, the Class D CB service was opened at 27 MHz, and this is what is now popularly known as CB. There were only 23 channels at the time; the first 22 were taken from what used to be an Amateur 11-meter band, while channel 23 was shared with radio-controlled devices.

In the 1960s, the service was popular with small trade businesses (e.g., electricians, plumbers, carpenters), as well as truck drivers and radio hobbyists. With the advancement of solid-state electronics, the weight, size, and cost of the radios decreased, giving the general public access to a communications medium that had previously been only available to specialists. Many CB clubs were formed and a special CB slang language evolved, used alongside 10-codes similar to those used in the emergency services.

Following the 1973 oil crisis, the U.S. government imposed a nationwide 55 mph speed limit, and fuel shortages and rationing were widespread. CB radio was often used to locate service stations with a supply of gasoline, to notify other drivers of speed traps, and to organize blockades and convoys in a 1974 strike protesting the new speed limit and other trucking regulations.

The prominent use of CB radios in 1970s-era films such as Smokey and the Bandit (1977) and television shows like The Dukes of Hazard (debuted 1979) bolstered the appeal of CB radio. Moreover, popular novelty songs such as C.W. McCall's Convoy (1976) helped establish CB radio as a nationwide craze in the mid to late 1970s.

Originally, CB required a license and the use of a call sign, but when the CB craze was at its peak, many people ignored this requirement and used made-up nicknames or 'handles'. The many restrictions on the authorized use of CB radio led to widespread disregard of the regulations, most notably in antenna height, distance restriction for communications, licensing and the use of call signs, and allowable transmitter power. Eventually, the license requirement was dropped entirely.

Originally, there were only 23 CB channels in the U.S.; the present 40-channel band plan did not come along until 1977. Channel 9 was reserved for emergency use in 1969. Channel 10 was used for highway communications, though channel 19 later became the preferred highway channel in most areas as it did not have adjacent-channel interference problems with channel 9.

Until 1975, only channels 9-14 and 23 could be used for interstation calls to other licensees. Channels 1-8 and 15-22 were reserved for intrastation communications among units under the same license. After the interstation/intrastation rule was dropped, channel 11 was reserved as a calling frequency for the sole purpose of establishing communications; however this was withdrawn in 1977.

Until the late 1970s when synthesized radios appeared, CB radios were controlled by plug-in quartz crystals. Almost all were AM only, though there were a few single sideband sets in the early days.

Throughout the 1970s and early 1980s, a phenomenon was developing over the CB radio. Similar to the Internet chat rooms a quarter century later, the CB allowed people to get to know one another in a quasi-anonymous manner. Many movies and stories about CBers and the culture on-the-air developed.

CB Radio Frequencies

CB Citizens Radio

CB was once the only practical two-way radio system for the individual consumer and as such served several distinct types of users such as truck drivers, radio hobbyists and those who needed a short range radio for particular tasks. While some of these users have moved on to other radio services, CB is still a popular hobby in many countries. In America it is strongly associated with semi truck drivers, rural life and radio hobbiests. It's still a good idea to have a CB Radio with you on a road trip where no Cellular service is available.

The 27 MHz frequencies used by CBs, which require a long antenna and don't propagate well indoors, tend to discourage use of handheld radios for many applications. Many consumer users of handheld radios (ex. family use, hunters, hikers ) have moved on to 49 MHz and then to the UHF Family Radio Service, while many who need a simple radio for professional use (ex. tradesmen ) have moved on to 'dot-color' business radios.

On the other hand, CB is still popular among long-haul truck drivers to communicate directions, traffic problems, and other things of importance.  As a result, CB was more associated with hobbyists than truckers. In the United States, channel 19 is the most commonly used for highway use, to the point that some radios even have a dedicated button to bring up channel 19. In some areas of the U.S., different channels are customarily used on highways running North-South versus East-West, and sometimes even for specific roads. Other channels regionally used for this purpose include 10, 17, and 21. Channel 13 is preferred in some areas for marine use and for recreational vehicles.

Several countries reserve a channel for emergency use, for example channel 9 in the United States. In CB's heyday in the 1970s, channel 9 was monitored by parties who could relay messages to the authorities, or even directly by the authorities themselves. With the popularity of cellular phones, support for Channel 9 as an emergency channel has diminished, though volunteer organizations such as REACT (Radio Emergency Associated Communications Teams) and private individuals still monitor Channel 9 in some areas.

The maximum legal CB power output level, in the U.S., is four watts for AM and 12 watts (peak envelope power or 'PEP') for SSB, as measured at the antenna connection on the back of the radio.

During periods of peak sunspot activity, even low-powered transmitters on 27 MHz can sometimes be heard for hundreds or even thousands of miles. This 'skip' activity, in which signals bounce off the ionosphere, contributes to interference on CB frequencies.

Citizens Band Radio Service (CB) The Official FCC Rules and Regulations for CB Citizens Band Radio

Citizens Band (CB)

Citizens Band (CB) Radio Service is a private two-way voice communication service for use in personal and business activities of the general public. Its communications range is from one to five miles.

CB Licensing

License documents are neither needed nor issued and there are no age or citizenship requirements. As long as you use only an unmodified FCC certificated CB unit, you are provided authority to operate a CB unit in places where the FCC regulates radio communications.

CB Operations

You are provided authority to operate a CB unit in places where the FCC regulates radio communications, as long as you use only an unmodified FCC certificated CB unit. An FCC certificated unit has an identifying label placed on it by the manufacturer.

CB Channels

There are 40 shared CB channels used on a "take-turns" basis. There are no channels authorized in the CB Radio Service above 27.405 MHz or below 26.965 MHz.

No CB channel is assigned to any specific individual or organization. Be cooperative. Keep your communications short. Users must never talk with another station for more than 5 minutes continuously and then must wait at least one minute before starting another communication. Channel 9 is used only for emergency communications or for traveler assistance.

Equipment

You must use an FCC certificated CB transmitter at your CB station. You can identify an FCC certificated transmitter by the certification label placed on it by the manufacturer.

Territorial Limits

You may operate your CB unit within the territorial limits of the fifty United States, the District of Columbia, and the Caribbean and Pacific Insular areas U.S. You may also operate your CB on or over any other area of the world, except within the territorial limits of areas where radio-communications are regulated by another agency of the U.S. or within the territorial limits of any foreign government. You may also be permitted to use your CB unit in Canada subject to the rules of Industry Canada. Travelers to the U.S. may operate a CB unit within the U.S. as long the unit is FCC certificated.

Linear Amplifier Ban

Users may not raise the power output of their CB units. That would be unfair to the other users sharing the channel by raising the level of radio noise. You must not attach a "linear," "linear amplifier" or any other type of power amplifier to your CB unit, Moreover, you must not modify your CB unit internally. Doing so cancels its certification and you forfeit your authorization to use it.

Antennas

There are no height restrictions for antennas mounted on vehicles or for hand-held units. For structures, the highest point of your antenna must not be more than 20 feet above the highest point of the building or tree on which it is mounted, or 60 feet above the ground. There are lower height limits if your antenna structure is located within two miles of an airport.

Ten Codes

Ten-codes are operating aids used by public safety and other professional communicators. The FCC does not regulate the meaning of the ten-codes. You may use an on-the-air pseudonym 'handle' of your choosing.