Citizens' band radio

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Citizens' band radio (CB) is a system of short distance radio communication between individuals on a selection of 40 channels within the single 27 MHz (11 meter) band. 27MHz FCC Bandplan

Formed following a decision in 1945 by the US government that its citizens should have this right, the CB radio service should not be confused with GMRS or Amateur Radio. CB does not require a license and unlike Amateur Radio CB may be used for commercial communication. The 11-meter band was taken from the Amateur Radio service for the Citizen's Band. But it was not until the 1970s, when technology had advanced to reduce costs, that the CB market prospered, US truckers being at the head of the boom. Many CB clubs were formed and a special CB language evolved.

Originally CB did require a license and the use of a call sign but during the CB craze of the 1970's many people ignored this requirement and used made up nicknames called "handles". The use of handles instead of call signs is related to the common practice of using the radios to warn other drivers of speed traps during the time when the United States dropped the national speed limit to 55 MPH. Eventually the license requirement was dropped. The early CB radios sold for mobile use in the US had only 23 channels and almost all were AM only although Single Side Band was also allowed. Later, an additional 17 channels were added for a total of 40 channels.

The FCC recommended the use of ten-codes and these were used, often in a shortened form, but also many slang terms were developed.

CB is still a popular hobby in many countries though its meaning as a method of communication among the general public has diminished recently, due to new developments such as the internet and mobile phones. CB radio is still a popular method of communication among semi truck drivers. Commercial drivers use CB to communicate to other truck drivers directions, traffic problems, and other things of importance.

Popular CB Channels (United States)

Typical CB Antenna

In the US, CB radio seems to adhere to the following de facto plan:

Channel 1 Local community calling and working
Channel 6 High power illegal activity
Channel 7 Local community calling and working
Channel 8 Truckers in Australia
Channel 9 Emergency calling (State troopers and highway patrol vehicles in the US usually monitor this channel)
Channel 10 Truckers in Quebec, Canada
Channel 17 North/South freeway traffic and trucks (except in California where all traffic is on 17)
Channel 19 The main frequency for trucks and freeway traffic. Also the east/west frequency for truck and freeway traffic.
Channel 30 and above SSB (There seems to be a bootlegger's gentleman's agreement that long distance SSB be done above channel 30)

International Use

Although CB was created in and for the United States it is also used in many different countries around the world. See also: CB Radio In The UK

See also amateur radio

de:CB-Funk no:Privatradio

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