What Should I know when buying a CB Radio?

Citizens' Band (CB) radio is a system of short distance radio communication between individuals on a collection of 40 channels within the 27 MHz band, and may be used by private individuals or companies. This radio service was created in 1945 to enable people a radio band for personal communication and was controlled by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). CB radios became particularly prominent in the 1970s.

The 1973 oil crisis saw fuel rationing and shortages, and the introduction of a 55 mph nationwide speed limit. Truck drivers began using CB radios to check the best fuel stockpiles in specific places or to let one another find out about speed traps. These radios were also featured in popular movies and TV shows, like "Smokey and the Bandit" and "The Dukes of Hazard."

CB radio originally demanded a license that could be purchased a fee, but when the FCC started to get over a million license requests a month this requirement was ceased.

 The 40 channel band plan was introduced in 1977 (with 23 channels being available previously). Channel 9 was reserved for emergency communications by the FCC in 1969, and channel 19 was the highway communication (or truckers') channel. These channels should still used for emergencies and travel information today. One will find up to date information about radar traps, road conditions, and accidents on channel 19.



CB radios are all limited to 4 watts of transmission power by FCC regulations. The differences between the wide range of models available from radio communication shops or from online sources like eBay, are found primarily in the features provided. Some features are good to have, while others are seen as vital by a lot of radio users.

This is often a matter of opinion and the features one needs may change according to what the radio is being used for. Understanding which features are available will allow you to make a more educated buying decision.



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