CB Radio Info

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CHANNEL - FREQUENCY ASSIGNMENT

In the 1950's, the FCC established the Citizens Band (CB) radio service. They intended to provide a group of channels so short-range communications could be conducted with inexpensive, low power radio sets. The FCC envisioned a "catch all" radio service for people to stay in touch from home to car, small business to delivery vehicle, and hunters and fishermen to use inexpensive hand-held sets to talk over short distances.

The FCC chose the frequency around 27MHZ, which is located at the top of the high-frequency spectrum. They first assigned 23 channels, but the service became so popular that in the 1970's they added channels 24 through 40. The frequency assigned to each channel is listed below.

 

FCC RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR CB RADIO

FCC Laws Part 95, Subpart D, describes the CB Radio service as a private, two-way, short-distance, voice communications service for personal or business activities.

 

LICENSE REQUIREMENTS

 

At first, users were required to obtain a CB Radio license and call letters from the FCC to operate a CB Radio. However, the FCC was so inundated with requests for CB Radio licenses that they finally abandoned formal licensing and allowed operators to buy CB Radio equipment and go on the air without any license or call letters.

Although no license is required to operate a CB Radio, FCC Laws Part 95, Subpart D, which contains the FCC's rules for CB Radio operation, are still in effect. These rules cover CB Radio equipment, the ban on linear amplifiers, and the types of communications permitted on the air.

 

GEOGRAPHIC AREAS

You are authorized to operate your 40-channel CB Radio set from:

· The 50 United States

· District of Columbia

· Commonwealth of Puerto Rico

· Navassa Island

· United States Virgin Islands

· Pacific insular areas

· Any other area of the world, except within the territorial limits of areas where CB Radio services are regulated by any agency other than the FCC or any foreign government, or aboard an aircraft or ship where the captain disallows CB Radio use.

 

EMERGENCY CHANNEL

CB Radio Channel 9 may be used only for emergency communications or for traveler's assistance. Members of the Radio Emergency Associated Communications Teams (REACT) throughout the United States do an excellent job of guarding CB Radio Channel 9 specifically for emergencies or requests for directions. REACT is a non-profit public service organization. Its thousands of members can take advantage of REACT headquarters programs, which include group insurance, conventions, team newsletters, and special CB Radio equipment discounts.

 

TRANSMISSION MODE AND RESTRICTIONS

CB Radio operators normally transmit double sideband AM on the first 23 channels. On channels above Channel 23, upper sideband or lower sideband equipment may be used. Four watts of carrier power is allowed for output on AM, and 12 watts of peak envelope power is the maximum power output on SSB. You may only use a type-accepted CB Radio transmitter. Any internal modification to a type-accepted CB Radio transmitter cancels the type acceptance, and use of such a transmitter voids your authority to operate the station. The same type regulation applies to power amplifiers. Power amplifiers are specifically disallowed for use with a CB Radio.

 

BASE ANTENNA RESTRICTIONS

Your CB Radio base antenna system may be erected 20 feet higher than the highest point of the building or tree on which it is mounted; however, the highest point of the antenna must not be more than 60 feet above the ground. There are additional restrictions on an antenna system located near an airport. Consult FCC Laws Part 95, Subpart D for your particular situation.

 

COMMUNICATION IDENTIFICATION

Since an FCC license is not required for the CB Radio service, you do not need to identify your CB Radio communications. However, the FCC encourages you to identify your communications on CB Radio by any of the following means:

· Previously assigned CB Radio call sign

· K prefix, followed by operator initials and residence zip code

· Name of organization or individual

· A "handle"- an easily-recognized, fictitious name you choose to identify yourself over the CB radio airwaves.

· A formal call-sign issued to you by a recognized CB Radio organization or club.

 

WHAT / HOW FAR / HOW LONG

You may use your CB Radio station to transmit 2-way, plain-language communications concerning your personal or business activities, or those of members of your immediate family living in your household. You can also transmit 2-way emergency communications, traveler assistance, and civil defense activities to other CB Radio sets. You may use an audible tone lasting no more than 15 seconds to "tone call" other CB Radio stations. You may also use your CB Radio station to transmit 1-way communications for emergency communications, traveler assistance, voice paging, or brief radio checks. The latter occurs mostly when you do not know if any other CB Radio stations are within your transmitting range.

The FCC regulates how far you can communicate with your CB Radio station 155.3 miles is the limit. The FCC also wants you to limit your CB Radio communications to the minimum practical time.

 

WHAT YOU CANNOT TRANSMIT

The FCC makes it clear that CB Radio may not be used:

· In connection with any activity which is against federal, state, or local law

· To transmit obscene, indecent, or profane words

· To intentionally interfere with other CB Radio operators

· To advertise or solicit the sale of any goods or services

· To transmit music, whistling, sound effects

· To transmit the word "Mayday" unless it's an absolute emergency

· To advertise political candidates

· To transmit to other stations not in the CB Radio service

· To transmit communications for live or delayed rebroadcast over a commercial radio or TV station.

 

ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES

During daylight hours, sporadic-E propagation will usually cause CB Radio signals to bounce off the ionosphere, and come back down thousands of miles away. Many CB Radio operators enjoy "shooting skip," but this is in violation of the FCC rules. "Skip shooting" is so popular and prevalent on the bands that there is very little enforcement for this common violation. In fact, recent studies by licensed amateur radio operators show that many good hams are born out of the CB Radio service. The CB Radio operators become frustrated with the amount of channel congestion between Channels 1 and 40 and go for a ham radio operator's license. Ham radio is a natural step for these operators who love the thrill of talking long distances. The new no-code ham license is just for them.

Some CB Radio operators illegally modify their CB Radio equipment and wander beyond Channel 40 to the bottom edge of the ham 10-meter band. The FCC takes quick action to close down these pirate CB Radio stations. First offenders are typically fined over $1,000 for their "out of band" operation.

 

PHONE PATCHING

CB Rule 20 allows you to have someone at a receiving CB Radio base station make a manual connection to the telephone. This is called "phone patch." It patches your CB Radio transmission into the normal telephone system. In the CB Radio service, it is allowed if there is:

· Someone to supervise the operation of the phone patch.

· Someone that listens to each communication during the patch.

· Someone who may stop the communication if there is a violation of the rules.

For additional CB Rradio phone patch information go to our Main Page.

 

COMMON USES FOR CB

With over 10 million CB Radio Operators using CB Radio, the 40-channel CB Radio service serves as a valuable means for roadside assistance. One of the fastest ways to make radio contact out on the highways is over CB Radio.

Out on the open highway, the trucking industry makes good use of CB Radio by constantly using and monitoring specific frequencies, usually those between Channel 9 and Channel 23. With thousands of truckers using these channels, it's a cinch for the motorist, hiker, or base station to summon help. The truckers are quick to come to the aid of someone calling "Mayday" on one of their often-used channels. Many of these overland carriers also have cellular phones so they may be able to quickly relay your call to the proper authorities.

 

THOSE QUAZY 'Q' SIGNALS

and other CB radio jargon

Q - signals are three-letter combinations beginning with the letter 'Q'. They were originally used to facilitate ship-to-shore communications in morse code. CB Radio Operators have adopted several of these Q-signals to expidite transmissions and send and receive information more quickly. Using Q-signals lets the CB Radio Operator on the other end know that you are an experienced operator and seasoned CB'er. Learn these basic, well-used, Q-signals, and use them in your CB Radio communications.

 

Q - Signal	Meaning
QRG	Your exact frequency is ...
QRH	Your frequency varies.
QRI	Your transmission tone is (1-Good 2-Variable 3-Bad)
QRK	I read your signals (1-Bad 2-Poor 3-Fair 4-Good 5-Excellent)
QRM	I am being interferred with (man-made interference).
QRN	I am experiencing static (atmosphereic interference).
QRW	Tell ___ I am calling on ___ frequency.
QRY	Your turn is number ___.
QRZ	You're being called by ___.
QSA	The strength of your signlas is (1-Poor to 5-Very Good).
QSB	Your signals are fading.
QSK	I can hear you between my signals. Break in.
QSL	I am acknowledging receipt.
QSN	I did hear you on ___ frequency.
QSO	I can communicate with ___.
QSP	I will relay to ___.
QSX	I am listening to ___ on ___ frequency.
QSY	Change to another frequency.
QTH	My location is ___.
QTR	The time is ___.

 

Thanks to:  http://home.att.net/~wizardoz/cbmw/cbmw.html

 

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