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BigCat says: Don't hog the One Nine! - Channel 19 is not for general conversations.
Move off channel 19 a.s.a.p. & keep the calling channel clear for other breakers ! THE HISTORY OF CITIZENS BAND RADIO  CB radio allows for short range two way radio communication with fairly simple, easy to use low power equipment (4 Watts) over distances of up to 10 miles. Much greater distances than this can be obtained with bigger and more elaborate antennas and especially under favourable atmospheric conditions, but between 5 and 10 miles is typical. CB radio can be used where it is necessary for two or more people to keep in touch whether this be for work or pleasure. Unlike expensive mobile phone calls, conversations via the CB are free of call charges and it is possible to talk to numerous people at one time - unlike a phone call that only allows for a conversation between two people. CB radio can also be regarded as a fascinating hobby - there's nothing quite like having your own transmitting station. Bear in mind, though that broadcasting, transmission of music or advertising is NOT allowed. How CB Radio Started The idea for an open access, short range, two way radio facility, that any member of the public could use to talk to any other member of the public, started in the United States Of America in 1945. Initially this two way radio service was allocated a small range of frequencies in the UHF band by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Unfortunately the technology of that era was not advanced enough to enable the production and use a cost effective UHF two way radio system. In 1958 a new set of frequencies in the 27 MHz band was assigned to what would become known as the 'Citizens Band'. The new allocation of frequencies would use would allow for 23 channels and this lower frequency range using amplitude modulation (AM) and would make it possible for the economic production of the new two way radio sets. By the 1960's and 1970's the Citizens Band had become very popular for local two way communication and was used by the public, trades and truck drivers. the use of CB radio was also popularised by Hollywood films such as The Gum Ball Rally, The Canonball Run, Convoy, Smokey & The Bandit and TV programmes such as The Dukes Of Hazard. It was initially intended that each CB user would use a specific official 'call sign' but this idea was eventually ignored by CB'er who adopted "Handles" - nicknames. It is thought that handles were adopted initially by truckers who did not want to be identifiable with the authorities so that they could exchange information with each other as to the whereabouts of police speed traps. CB radio was so popular by the 1970's and the 23 channels so crowded, that the FCC had to allocate a further 17 channels to the service to bring the total number of channels up to 40. Channel spacing used in the USA and later in Europe under the CEPT plan:
 In 1976 the singer C W McCall released a record about the use of CB radio called "Convoy". A few months later the novelty UK duo "Laurie Lingo & The Dipsticks" made a humorous variation on the theme called "Convoy GB". Find out more about these records HERE. It may have been these records, the films and TV programmes that started an interest in other parts of the world, particularly the UK. Australia introduced legal CB in the late 1970's. Even though the UK had had no allocation for such CB channels and therefore its use was illegal, people began importing America Citizens Band radios into the UK and the CB craze started. By 1980 to 1981 there were tens of thousands of users in the UK, all operating illegal American radios. These pirate CB breakers formed many CB clubs and there was great pressure put on the government to introduce legal CB to the United Kingdom. The most fervent supporters of CB radio even went on marches to bring their case to the government's attention. I remember at this time that some radio experts tried to encourage the UK government to allocate the 220 MHz VHF band for UK CB radio. This was called 'The Lancaster Band' and had apparently been used by Lancaster Bombers in World War Two, but was now unused. There was great debate in the radio press for the use of 222 MHz as it was a clear band with little or no possibility of interference and was deemed quite suitable for CB. On the other hand, 27 MHz was susceptible to certain atmospheric conditions that allowed quite low power signals to travel vast distances and cause mutual interference - sometimes blotting out local CB communications. However, in the end, the government decided to allocate 27 MHz to CB radio in the UK, but using a different set of 40 channels and different channel spacing to other parts of the world; 27.60125 - 27.99125 MHz. Additionally, whereas America used AM (amplitude modulation) for its CB radios, the UK would adopt FM for its CB radio channels. As a system of modulation FM is much better than AM as it has far less potential to cause interference to other domestic electronics such as TV, radios, and hi-fi systems. These choices would mean that all the American and other imported AM CB radios would be useless for use in the UK.  CB became legal in the UK on 2nd November 1981 and required an inexpensive Home Office licence that was issued by Post Offices in order to operate legally. The new legal CB radios were marked with the (CB 27/81) symbol. The government also established legal CB frequencies in the 934 MHz UHF band at the same time, marked (CB934/81) but the equipment was expensive, had very short range and was therefore less popular than 27 MHz. The allocation was withdrawn in the 1990's. The unique CB channel spacing used in the UK plan:
In 1986 the government introduced an additional 40 channels for legal CB use. These extra channels used the European CEPT band (also known as the EU band or Mids). The allocation was not initially popular as it either required a second CB radio or an electronic modification to an existing radio in order to use the channels. It was not until 1998, when dual UK and EU banded CB radios became available that CEPT channels became more popular.  The boom in CB radio continued throughout the 1980's and into the 1990's. It would often be so busy that it was difficult to find a clear channel to use! However by the advent of the 21st Century the popularity was falling off due to cheaper mobile phones, text messaging and internet communication. In the boom years CB tended to be mainly used by people just wanting to chat, make new radio friends and have fun. This type of pastime has now found a new home on internet chat rooms, instant message software and e-mail, not to mention free Voice Over IP telephony. You will still find people just wanting to have a chat on CB, but the main use for the Citizens Band is for specific functions such as Farmers using it for tractor to farmhouse radio communication, 4x4 clubs, caravanning clubs, truckers and drivers, or to keep hand for emergencies. Additionally, the fact that radio is such a fascinating and absorbing subject, there are a great many people who like to use CB in part of their hobby. There is great fun and education to be found in experimenting with new radios and new and different antennas for example and also to work DX, that is to try to make very long distance contacts during 'skip' conditions that occur during higher sun-spot numbers. In December 2006 the UK government withdrew the requirement to buy a CB licence from Ofcom, and it is thought that this has helped a recent and substantial revival in the interest in CB radio . There are plenty of excellent new CB radios available from specialist CB retailers who are still here serving radio and CB enthusiasts with great equipment and superb service. When choosing your CB radio, do support our specialist CB retailers: It's inadviable to buy off e-bay unless dealing with one of the experienced CB retailer's own e-bay shops. Be careful since second hand equipment may have been tampered with and may cost more to repair than it's actually worth. Non specialist CB dealers may not offer the back-up service and support in the event of experiencing a problem. See our links to many of the specialist CB dealers here >.  |
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Mike Smith - MDS975.co.uk © 2003 - 2008