CB Radios are regulated by the FCC under

47 CFR 95 Subpart D

The CB Radio Frequencies are between:

26 to 28 MHz

In the HF band

Uses AM and SSB

The General Rules for CB Radio are:

The maximum legal CB power output level in the U.S. is four watts for AM and 12 watts for SSB

Citizens Band (CB) Radio Service is a private two-way voice communication service for use in personal and business activities of the general public.

CB Radio range is typically from one to five miles.

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.

An FCC certificated unit has an identifying label placed on it by the manufacturer.

You must not modify your CB unit internally. Doing so cancels its certification and you forfeit your authorization to use it.

Travelers to the U.S. may operate a CB unit within the U.S. as long the unit is FCC certificated.

CB Radio 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.

No Call Signs on CB Radio

You may use an on-the-air pseudonym (“handle”) of your choosing.

CB Radio Channels

1       26.965 MHz
2       26.975 MHz
3       26.985 MHz
4       27.005 MHz
5       27.015 MHz
6       27.025 MHz
7       27.035 MHz
8       27.055 MHz
9       27.065 MHz
10      27.075 MHz
11      27.085 MHz
12      27.105 MHz
13      27.115 MHz
14      27.125 MHz
15      27.135 MHz
16      27.155 MHz
17      27.165 MHz
18      27.175 MHz
19      27.185 MHz Travelers Channel
20      27.205 MHz
21      27.215 MHz
22      27.225 MHz
23      27.255 MHz
24      27.235 MHz
25      27.245 MHz
26      27.265 MHz
27      27.275 MHz
28      27.285 MHz
29      27.295 MHz
30      27.305 MHz
31      27.315 MHz
32      27.325 MHz
33      27.335 MHz
34      27.345 MHz
35      27.355 MHz
36      27.365 MHz
37      27.375 MHz
38      27.385 MHz
39      27.395 MHz
40      27.405 MHz

Some Fun w/ CB Radio:

Some times it is possible to “skip” radio waves off the ionosphere. CB Radio operators can communicated across thousands of miles with normal gear under the right conditions

Famous CB Radio Lingo:

Smokey,  Bear = Police

Bear’s Den – a police station

Bear In the Air -  a police aircraft

Black and White – Highway Patrol

County Mountie – County Sheriff

Poor Boy – Peterbilt Tractor

Convoy – a group of truckers in a line

Ears – CB radio “Got ya ears on?”

FCC Website:

http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/index.htm?job=service_home&id=cb