Amateur and CB Radio

The word amateur has at least two connotations. In the first, more widely used manner, it means someone performing some task without pay, in contrast to a "professional" who would be paid for the same task. In this sense, labeling someone an "amateur" can have a negative connotation. For example, amateur athletes in sports such as basketball or football would not be regarded as having ability on par with professional athletes in those sports.

Where this can be interesting is in the case of the Olympic Games. Most Olympic events required that the athletes be amateurs, or non-professionals. To receive pay to perform the sport could have disqualified an athlete from an event, as in the case of Jim Thorpe. Such regulations are now nonexistent for all Olympic sports with the exception of boxing.

Also in the areas of computer programming and open source, as well as astronomy and ornithology, many amateurs make very meaningful contributions equivalent to or exceeding those of the professionals. To many, description as an amateur is losing its negative meaning, and actually carries a badge of honor.

The other, perhaps somewhat obsolescent usage, stems from the French form of the Latin root of the word meaning a "lover of". (See amateurism.) In this sense, retaining its French inflexion ("am-a-tEUR"), an amateur may be as competent as a paid professional, yet is motivated by a love or passion for the activity, like a connoisseur. In the 17th and 18th centuries virtuoso had similar connotations of passionate involvement.

Indeed, another thriving example of such work is Amateur Dramatics - whether plays or musical theater. Often performed to high standards (but lacking the budgets of the professional West End theatre/Broadway theatreversions) and with an intense passion for the scene.

It has been suggested that the crude, all or nothing categories of professional or amateur should be reconsidered. A historical shift is occurring with the rise of Pro-Ams, a new category of people that are pursuing amateur activities to professional standards.

See also hobby, particularly for Amateur Radio (also known as ham radio.)

See also

• volunteer

A typical mobile citizens' band radio

Citizens' band radio (CB) is, in the United States, a system of short distance radio communication between individuals on a selection of 40 channels within the single 27 MHz (11 meter) band. The CB radio service should not be confused with FRS, GMRS or amateur radio. CB does not require a license and unlike amateur radio, CB may be used for commercial communication.

History

The citizens' band radio service was formed following a decision in 1945 by the US government that its citizens should be permitted a short-distance radio band for personal 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 slang language evolved. The prominent use of CB radios in mid- and late-1970s films (see list below), television shows such as The Dukes of Hazzard (debuted 1979), and in popular novelty songs such as C.W. McCall's "Convoy" (1976) helped to establish the radios as a nationwide craze in the mid-1970s.

Originally CB did require a license and the use of a call sign but when the CB craze was at its peak, 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 (90 km/h) beginning in 1974 in response to the 1973 hike in oil prices. The FCC recommended the use of ten-codes and these were used, often in a shortened form, but also many slang terms were developed.

The low cost and simple operation of CB equipment gave access to a communications medium that was previously only available to specialists. The "boom" in CB usage in the 1970s bears several similarities to the advent of the Internet in the 1990s. The many restrictions on the authorized use of CB radio led to widespread disregard of the regulations, most notably in antenna height, distance restriction for communications, licensing and the use of call signs, and allowable transmitter power. Eventually the license requirement was dropped entirely.

The early CB radios sold for mobile use in the US had only 23 channels and almost all were AM only, although single sideband was also allowed. In 1977, an additional 17 channels were added for a total of 40 channels, to relieve some of the overcrowding on the original 23 channels. Channel 9 was reserved for emergency use. Channel 19 became the most popular channel, especially among truck drivers.

Channels near 462 MHz in the UHF band were formerly allocated to the Citizen's Band "Class A" radio service but this band was never commonly used. In 1973 an attempt was made to allocate frequencies near 220 MHz to "Class E" Citizen's Band service but this was strongly opposed by amateur radio organizations and was never implemented, (though American hams lost much of this band in 1993 to a mobile radio service for parcel delivery vans). The intent was to eliminate some of the interference and skip that existed on the shortwave frequencies. While the extended propagation characteristics on this band was of considerable interest to radio hobbyists, interference from distant stations limited the usefulness of CB for its original purpose.

Throughout the 1970s and early 1980s a a phenomenon was developing over the CB radio. Similar to the Internet chat rooms a quarter century later, the CB allowed people to get to know one another in a quasi-anonymous manner. Many movies and stories about CBers and the culture on-the-air developed. In more recent years CB has been losing its appeal. This could be because of introduction of mobile phones, the Internet, Family Radio Service and the declining quality in long-distance radio wave propagation due to the 11 year Sunspot cycle.

CB Radio Today

CB is still a popular hobby in many countries though its utility as a method of communication among the general public has diminished recently, due to new developments such as mobile phones. CB radio is still a near-universal method of communication among semi truck drivers in America and also remains very popular in rural areas with farmers and hunters, plus sometimes even acting as a sort of "party line" phone system in deep-rural areas too far in the boonies to have phone lines. Commercial drivers use CB to communicate to other truck drivers directions, traffic problems, and other things of importance. Though any channel (except Channel 9, reserved for emergency use) can be used, Channel 19 remains the most popular among truck drivers.

Legitimate, short-range use of CB radio is sometimes made difficult by uncooperative users or illegal high-power transmitters, which are capable of being heard hundreds of miles (km) away. In the United States, the vast number of users and the low financing of the regulatory body mean that the regulations are only actively enforced against the most severe interfering stations, which makes legitimate operations on the Citizen's band unreliable. Other services, such as Multi-Use Radio Service in the VHF band or FRS and GMRS in the UHF band, exist now to provide the reliable short-range communication service originally envisioned for the Citizen's band.

The maximum legal CB power output level is four watts for AM and 12 watts (peak envelope power or "PEP") for single side band, as measured at the antenna connection on the back of the radio. More powerful external "linear" amplifiers are commonly and illegally used.

Citizens' Band radios in the United States use frequencies near 27 MHz. During periods of peak sunspot activity, even low-powered transmitters can sometimes be heard for hundreds or even thousands of miles. This "skip" activity, in which signals which bounce off the ionosphere, contributes to interference on CB frequencies. Working "skip" is illegal in the United States, though the regulation is widely ignored.

Many radio hobbyists operate illegitimately in the so-called "free band", using either Citizens' band equipment that has been modified for extended frequency range and higher power, or else amateur radio equipment operated outside the assigned amateur 10 meter band. Such operations are not part of the legally authorized Citizen's band service and should not be called "CB". Out-of-band operations may interfere with licenced, public safety, commercial, or military users of these frequencies. Illegal transmitters may not meet good engineering practice for harmonic distortion or "splatter", and resulting interference to licenced radio spectrum users will often attact the attention of regulating authorities.

CB Usage in the United States

Typical mobile CB antenna

In the United States Citizens' band (CB) radio service is intended to be a private two-way voice communication service for use in personal and business activities of the general public. Its communications range is from one to five miles. The Citizens' band radio services are described in part 95 of the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) and is defined as a personal radio service.

Eligibility

There are no age, citizenship or license requirements to operate a CB radio in the United States. You may operate on any of the authorized 40 CB channels, however channel 9 is used only for emergency communications or for traveler assistance. Usage of all channels is on a shared basis. Foreign governments and their representatives are not eligible to operate a citizens' band radio station within the United States.

You may operate your station anywhere within the United States, its territories and possessions. You may also operate your US station anywhere in the world except within the territorial limits of areas where radio services are regulated by another agency; such as the United States Department of Defense or of any foreign government.

You must use an FCC certified transmitter. No modifications are allowed to your equipment. Equipment output power is limited to 4 watts for AM transmitters and 12 watts PEP (peak envelope power) for single sideband (SSB) transmitters. There are no restrictions on size or type of antennas, except the antenna must not be more than 20 feet above the highest point of the structure it is mounted to and may not be more than 60 feet above the ground.

Channel Assignments

To simplify selection of an operating frequency, Citizens' band radio is a two-way radio service that consists of 40 numbered radio frequency channels in the HF spectrum from 26.965 to 27.405 MHz, with channels generally spaced 10 kHz apart. Channel numbers are not strictly sequential with frequency; there are gaps for frequencies used by radio-controlled devices.

Furthermore, there is a gap between Channel 22 and Channel 23 (which was later filled by Channels 24 and 25) for historical reasons. Before CB was in existence, there was an Amateur 11-meter band from 26.96 to 27.23 MHz, and a frequency for radio-controlled devices at 27.255 MHz. The 11-meter band became CB Channels 1 to 22, and the radio control frequency was shared with Channel 23.

This assignment of channels to frequencies has been adopted by many countries worldwide, including the U.K., although some countries have only approved the use of the first 22 channels.

The channel/frequency allocation for the 40 channels in Britain are as follows:

Channel     Frequency
 
Channel 01   26.965 MHz
Channel 02   26.975 MHz
Channel 03   26.985 MHz
 
Channel 04   27.005 MHz
Channel 05   27.015 MHz
Channel 06   27.025 MHz
Channel 07   27.035 MHz
 
Channel 08   27.055 MHz
Channel 09   27.065 MHz  (emergency channel)
Channel 10   27.075 MHz
Channel 11   27.085 MHz  (unofficial general calling channel)
 
Channel 12   27.105 MHz
Channel 13   27.115 MHz
Channel 14   27.125 MHz
Channel 15   27.135 MHz
 
Channel 16   27.155 MHz
Channel 17   27.165 MHz
Channel 18   27.175 MHz
Channel 19   27.185 MHz  (unofficial trucker's channel)
 
Channel 20   27.205 MHz
Channel 21   27.215 MHz
Channel 22   27.225 MHz
Channel 23   27.255 MHz
Channel 24   27.235 MHz
Channel 25   27.245 MHz
Channel 26   27.265 MHz
Channel 27   27.275 MHz
Channel 28   27.285 MHz
Channel 29   27.295 MHz
Channel 30   27.305 MHz
Channel 31   27.315 MHz
Channel 32   27.325 MHz
Channel 33   27.335 MHz
Channel 34   27.345 MHz
Channel 35   27.355 MHz
Channel 36   27.365 MHz
Channel 37   27.375 MHz
Channel 38   27.385 MHz  (lsb, national calling frequency)
Channel 39   27.395 MHz
Channel 40   27.405 MHz

The frequency allocation list is supplied by the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) from Part 95 - Subpart D - Rules for CB Service Citizens Band (CB) Radio Service.

Remote Control

There is also a Class C Citizens Band service for radio-controlled devices; no voice transmissions are permitted. It has six channels in the 27 MHz band. Five are unused 10 kHz assignments between channels 3/4, 7/8, 11/12, 15/16 and 19/20, and the sixth is shared with Channel 23. Radio control transmitters may use up to 4 watts on the first five channels and 25 watts on the last, 27.255 MHz. Some in-house paging systems, and car alarms with a paging feature, also use these frequencies, especially 27.255 where more power is permitted.

The 27 Mhz Class C channels are not officially numbered. R/C enthusiasts usually designate them by color, and fly different-colored flags from the antenna to show who is on which channel. On the other hand, some CB operators illegaly use these channels for voice communications, and usually refer to them by the closest voice channel below them, ex. "3A", "7A", etc.

Because of interference from CB radios, legal or otherwise, the noise level, and the limited number of channels, most "serious" hobby remote control vehicles operate on other bands. Interference is especially important for model aircraft where it presents a safety issue.

The Class C service has 50 channels just for model aircraft in the 72.0-73.0 MHz range, and 30 more channels for surface models such as cars and boats in the 75.4-76.0 MHz range. 0.75 watts is allowed on these numbered channels. Licensed amateur radio operators also have their own R/C channels around 50 and 53 MHz.

Part 15 and ISM Devices

Most toy R/C cars operate on the 27 MHz R/C channels, especially 27.145 MHz. But most of these devices run far less than 4 watts and do not operate under the Class C CB service. Instead, they operate under the FCC's Part 15 rules, which allows a wide variety of low powered devices to use the frequencies from 26.96 to 27.28 MHz, which covers CB Channels 1 through 27.

Some other of these toys operate on the 49 MHz Part 15 channels, and often a pair of cars will be sold with one on 27.145 and one on 49.860 to avoid interference. This allows less selective, and therefore less expensive, receivers to be used than if they were using channels in the same band.

In the days when CB required a license, some low-powered or toy walkie-talkies were exempt because they operated within Part 15. More recently in the 1990's, low-powered handhelds using FM voice on the radio-control channels were also sold to operate legally under Part 15.

Another class of devices operating in the 27 MHz band are ISM ( Industial, Scientific and Medical ) devices regulated by the FCC's Part 18 rules. Induction welding of platics, and some types of diathermy machines commonly operate in this range. These devices are centered around 27.12 MHz with a tolerance of ±163 kHz, that is, 26.957 to 27.283 MHz.

Shooting Skip

Although CB radio was only intended to be a short range communications service, the frequencies on which it operates have some very interesting propagation characteristics. All frequencies in the HF spectrum (3–30 MHz) are able to be refracted by the existence of highly charged particles in the ionosphere. This bouncing of a signal off the ionosphere is called skywave propagation or "shooting skip". With the ability to shoot skip, CBers have been able to communicate thousands of miles, sometimes around the world. The ability of the ionosphere to refract signals back to work is caused by the sun and the amount of ionization possible is related to the 11-year sunspot cycle. In times of high sunspot activity the band can remain "open" to much of the world for long periods of time. In years of low sunspot activity it may not be possible to shoot skip at all.

It is recorded that, before CB radio arose, the Afrika Korps in North Africa in WWII used 27 MHz for battlefield communications, thinking that it could only be heard locally; but skip was strong at the time, and the messages were routinely monitored in Britain.

Finally, It should be noted that under Part 95, Subpart D of the FCC rules it is illegal to engage in, or attempt to engage in communications with any station more than 250 kilometers (155.3 miles) from your location, thereby making it practically impossible for CB operators who wish to shoot skip to remain in compliance with FCC regulations. The intent behind this restriction is typically regarded as an effort to keep CB as an inherently local service.

Freebanding and Export Radios

Operation on frequencies above ("uppers") or below ("lowers") the established citizens band is referred to as "freebanding" or "outbanding". Many perceive these frequencies just below the CB band, or between the CB band and the amateur radio 10-meter band to be quiet and under-utilized.

This is done with modified CB equipment, modified 10-meter ham radios, foreign CB radios that may offer different channels, or with radios which are purportedly sold for export.

Unlike modified amateur radios which are frequency-agile, export CB's are channelized. Frequency selection on these "export radios", however, resembles that of modified CB's more than any foreign frequency plan. They typically have a knob and display that reads up to channel 40, but include an extra "band" selector that shifts all 40 channels above or below the band, plus a "+10 KHz" button to reach the model control 'A' channels. These radios may have 6 or even 12 bands, establishing a set of quasi-CB channels on all sorts of unauthorized frequencies. The bands are typically lettered, with the normal CB band in the middle.

For example, a freebander with an export radio who wants to use 27.635 Mhz would choose Channel 19 ( 27.185 ) and then shift the radio up one band ( + 0.450 ). The operator may have to do quite a bit of arithmetic to know which frequency he is actually operating on, though more expensive radios include a frequency counter.

Even well-meaning ( but illegal ) operations can end up on frequencies which are very much in use. For instance, Channel 19, 2 bands up, becomes 28.085 MHz, which is in a Morse code-only part of the 10-meter ham band.

Regulation and Enforcement

Actions against violations of FCC regulations have been minimal in the past. This has often been cited as the reason for many of the problems that have plagued the Citizens' band radio service in the past.

In recent years, the FCC has had a renewed interest in taking enforcement actions against freebanding, the sale and use of illegally modified radios and linear amplifiers. Usually, the FCC will issue a request for information explaining actions found to be in violation of the commissions rules and regulations. Responding in a timely manner to such a request usually results in a "quick and painless" resolution which in most cases does not result in a fine, but merely a cease and desist order. Failure to respond to the commission's letters of inquiry will commonly result in the issuing of a $10,000 fine and in rem seizure of the equipment used, and suspension of licences in other FCC regulated services.

Many actions have been taken in recent years against the so-called freebanders operating illegally in the amateur 10-meter band. Actions have also been taken against retailers in the United States for selling linear amplifiers and non-type approved equipment in violation of the commission's rules.

Famous CBers

• Betty Ford "First Mamma"
• Muhammad Ali

CB in movies

• 1974 Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry
• 1976 The Gumball Rally
• 1976 Cannonball
• 1977 Breaker! Breaker!
• 1977 Handle With Care
• 1977 Smokey and the Bandit
• 1978 Convoy
• 1980 Smokey and the Bandit II
• 1981 The Cannonball Run
• 1983 Smokey and the Bandit III
• 1984 Cannonball Run II
• 1989 Die Hard
• 1989 Powwow Highway
• 1993 Dazed and Confused
• 2001 Joy Ride
• 2001 Roadkill
• 2005 The Dukes of Hazzard (film)

While Die Hard (1989) did feature handheld radios that were explained as CB's, they were far more compact than actual CB handhelds.

International use

Although CB was created in and for the United States, similar services exist in other countries around the world (see CB radio in the United Kingdom and Australian UHF CB-equivalent). Technical standards, power levels, and frequencies are different so North American CB equipment may not comply with European regulations, and vice versa. Often other radio services will use FM instead of AM or SSB.

A gray market trade in imported CB gear does exist in many countries. In many instances, sale or ownership of foreign-specification CB gear is not illegal, but the actual use of it is. With the FCC's minimal enforcement of its rules regarding CB radio, enthusiasts in the USA often use "export" radios, or possibly European FM CB gear to get away from the overcrowded AM channels. American AM gear has also been exported to Europe.

In Canada, the "General Radio Service" has the identical frequencies and modes as the United States "Citizen's band", and no special provisions are required for either Canadians or Americans using CB gear while travelling across the border.

See also

• Amateur radio
• Tragedy of the commons
• GMRS
• FRS
• PMR446
• MURS

External links

• The DXZone.com - Amateur radio and CB radio resource guide

• Ursine:CB - Detailed CB radio channel plan, 10 codes, Q signals

• LiveCBRadio.com - where you can remotely control a CB transceiver located in Omaha, Nebraska