Many people will say that CB radio is the best radio system for short distances. If you have any doubts, you should try to find another communication tool that can work in a selected range of forty channels.
There are certain countries that require a license to use CB radio. However, in most countries you don’t need a license.
CB radio is simple and straightforward. It is a two-way radio system that is used by ordinary citizens for personal or business communication.
The main advantage of CB radio is that it works when everything else goes silent. If the phone has lost service and you do not have Wi-Fi, then CB radio can still be used reliably.
What Are CB Radio Frequencies & CB Radio Channels?
The CB radio frequencies are distributed in a range of 27 MHz. At these frequencies, you there are different channels (only 40) with different purposes, that are open or closed.
Signaling requires a specific area. The frequency is the range of waves in which the signal passes. Different channels have different waves. Each channel is designed for a certain kind of signal. All channels are open to all CB radio users.
It looks like this: (from left – to right: frequency, channel and usage)
- 26,96500 – CB Channel 01 – open to all
- 26,97500 – CB Channel 02 – open to all
- 26,98500 – CB Channel 03 – open to all
- 27,00500 – CB Channel 04 – open to all–4×4 channel
- 27,01500 – CB Channel 05 -open to all
- 27,02500 – CB Channel 06 – open to all
- 27,03500 – CB Channel 07 – open to all
- 27,05500 – CB Channel 08 – open to all
- 27,06500 – CB Channel 09 – Emergency
- 27,07500 – CB Channel 10 – open to all–regional roads
- 27,08500 – CB Channel 11 – open to all
- 27,10500 – CB Channel 12 – open to all
- 27,11500 – CB Channel 13 – open to all–marine, RV
- 27,12500 – CB Channel 14 – open to all–walkie talkies
- 27,13500 – CB Channel 15 – open to all
- 27,15500 – CB Channel 16 – open to all (also for SSB cb radio)
- 27,16500 – CB Channel 17 – open to all–North/South Traffic
- 27,17500 – CB Channel 18 – open to all
- 27,18500 – CB Channel 19 – Truckers–East/West Hwy Traffic
- 27,20500 – CB Channel 20 – open to all
- 27,21500 – CB Channel 21 – open to all–regional roads
- 27,22500 – CB Channel 22 – open to all
- 27,25500 – CB Channel 23 -open to all
- 27,23500 – CB Channel 24 – open to all
- 27,24500 – CB Channel 25 – open to all
- 27,26500 – CB Channel 26 – open to all
- 27,27500 – CB Channel 27 – open to all
- 27,28500 – CB Channel 28 – open to all
- 27,29500 – CB Channel 29 – open to all
- 27,30500 – CB Channel 30 -open to all
- 27,31500 – CB Channel 31 – open to all
- 27,32500 – CB Channel 32 – open to all
- 27,33500 – CB Channel 33 – open to all
- 27,34500 – CB Channel 34 – open to all
- 27,35500 – CB Channel 35 – open to all
- 27,36500 – CB Channel 36 – open to all (also SSB)
- 27,37500 – CB Channel 37 – open to all (also SSB)
- 27,38500 – CB Channel 38 – open to all (also SSB, LSB)
- 27,39500 – CB Channel 39 – open to all (also SSB)
- 27,40500 – CB Channel 40 – open to all (also SSB)
Other Citizen Radio Channels
Channels are used this way in the United States. In Europe, it is very different. Channels are used for completely different purposes.
For example, Channel 13 is used for marine uses and for RVs. Walkie-talkies can be found on Channel 14. Channel 10 is used for traffic control. Channel 17 is used for the control of northern traffic.
Channel 9 is always an emergency channel and is intended for civilians who are in dangerous situations.
CB Radio Emergency Channels
There are emergency channels for CB radios. These channels are designed specifically for those situations when you are in a dangerous situation and need help.
You may have a mobile phone that you forget and leave at home. A mobile phone may not have adequate service and you may need emergency channels to come to the rescue.Emergency channels are needed for you to feel safe while traveling and to ask for help when needed.
Channel 9 is an emergency channel for CB radio. Asking for help on other channels will not be effective. This is because emergency services are constantly monitoring Channel 9.
No information received on this channel will not be missed or ignored. If you really need help, it is best to use this channel.
FAQs
What Is The Assignment Of CB Radio Channels?
The following is a reasonable question: “Why are so many channels at different frequencies?”
Not everyone uses CB radio for fun. For many people, CB radio is part of their work routine. That is why some channels are intended for emergencies, while others have different purposes.
The CB radio channels are divided into emergency, driver channels and business channels.
What CB Radio Channels Use for Truckers?
Every trucker should have a quality CB radio for his truck. The most popular channel for truckers is Channel 19. There are many truckers who use this channel and it is usually very busy. What other channels do truckers use?
In different areas, they use other non-standard channels. In Washington and Oregon, they talk on Channel 17, from Los Angeles to the Lost Hills highway, they use Channel 15, from Los Angeles to San Diego, Channel 21is used. Throughout California, people use from 1 to 15 channels.
What Is A Bootleg?
You have probably heard about bootleg frequencies. Radio amateurs with a license can modify and use the radio station on 10 meters.
This frequency is called the bootleg frequency. This frequency is open only to those CB stations that are FCC approved. Why? It is because these radio devices are more difficult to load and modify. Unapproved devices are available for this use. Therefore, bootleg frequencies are legal, if you have a license.
What Is Freebanding?
You should think twice before using the free lane. What is free-banding? It is the use of different channels by the operator at the 11-meter frequency.
However, most of the frequencies in this range are outside the allowable range of radio frequencies.
These frequencies are used by individuals or institutions use free lanes because they have a license and permission to do so.
Why should you think before you go to these frequencies? It is because they are unauthorized. We have the right to listen to only those frequencies that are regulated by the FCC. That is why using free-banding is illegal.
Free bands are poorly designed and lead to radio frequency distortion in the CB radio range.
In order to be safe, do not use free bands. In the event of an emergency, all channels must be open. In these situations, free bands can cause failures, which is a major risk.
Nevertheless, people still use free-banding. They do this because there are 40 channels but there are still not enough. It is not uncommon to have situations, when all the channels may have traffic. There may be signals and conversations everywhere.
There are many danger loving operators who buy radios outside of the U.S. and modify them. If you are thinking of going to the free lane, remember the $10,000 fine.
What CB frequencies are illegal?
What CB frequencies are illegal? The FCC considers frequencies above 28000 MHz to be illegal. What happens if the FCC catches people transmitting at these frequencies? These individuals will be subject to large fines. These frequencies are illegal, because you need a license to use them. In addition, these frequencies use Morse code.
Important To Know
- Using equipment from another country and not intended for this country may be illegal here. It will make you subject to many fines.
- You need to filter your signals and clearly separate the important information from what is unimportant. Chatter creates traffic that prevents other operators from transmitting important information.
- Keep in mind that emergency messages have priority on all channels.
- Before buying CB radio, be sure the FCC has checked the radio.
- Avoid free bands, so you won’t receive large fines.
Using CB radio is not just a great pastime. It is regulated by law with many rules that must be followed.
If you don’t want to pay a$10,000 fine, you should be on the right side of the law and follow the rules.
You also need to be polite and respect other people and their messages. No one likes constant talkers!
Recommended Resources:
I am new to using CB’s. I have used Ham Radios for 25 years. I was asked by a club that wants to communicate, using the most appropriate method. We have decided that CB would be the best to use. My question is whether repeaters can be used in conjunction with handheld DB radios to get a better range.
Yes, I think so.
I once saw on the TV where a man was able to talk to his dead father using a CB radio. I bought me a CB radio and antenna, but cannot figure out which channel my deceased father is on. Please help. God Bless you.
I am sorry to hear about your Dad. But it is not possible.
I’ve been out of CB since 1997, been thinking about getting back into it. There is nothing mentioned here about “FM” transmissions?? Is that legal now for CB? I was a CB’er from 1969 till 1997 when Pop passed away. “FM” was always a prohibited mode in the USA on CB’s. I been looking at the new President Grant and see they now have “FM” on them. “FM” is pretty cool stuff like SSB.
The FCC authorizes only 40 channels as listed in FCC rules. No one has permission from FCC to operate on frequencies between these specific channels. Therefore “free banders” are criminal in their activity.
What am I thinking? The FCC never had control of CB, thats why FCC punished the amateur operators with their Amplifier restrictions. Knowing the licensed amateurs could be forced to obey even though they aren’t the cause of interference and CBer’s have no fears of dis-obeying.