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CB Radios
Quick Find
Below you will find an overview of CB Radios. For most topics, a
section in the Code of Federal Regulation is listed and may be
referenced at CB Laws. You may also reference CB 10-Codes on a
separate page.
Citizens Band (CB) Service Definition
1-5 mile range two-way voice communication for use in personal and
business activities and for voice paging.
(47CFR95.401)
Regulating Agency
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulates interstate and
international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite and
cable covering 50 states, DC, and U.S. possessions.
FCC Contact & Web
FCC National Call Center at 1-888-225-5322
FCC web page
(47CFR95.428)
Federal Regulations
CB Radios are covered in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)
under Title 47 - Telecommunication, Chapter I - Federal
Communications Commission, Part 95 - Personal Radio services.
FCC rules and regulations are initially published in the Federal
Register. After updates are compiled in October, they are published
in the Code of Federal Regulations. Refer to CFR laws regarding CB
radios.
Licensing Requirement
None. In early 1980's, the FCC stopped requiring licenses.
(47CFR95.404)
Age Requirement
None.
(47CFR95.403)
Citizenship Requirement
None. Exceptions are if you are a foreign government, a
representative of a foreign government, or a federal government
agency; or the FCC has issued a cease and desist order to you, and the
order is still in effect.
(47CFR95.403)
Operating Requirement
You may operate an unmodified FCC certificated CB unit in places
where the FCC regulates radio communications.
(47CFR95.402)
Equipment Requirement
An FCC certificated unit is required and identified by manufacturer's
label. The CB station transmitter power output must not exceed AM
(A3)--4 watts (carrier power) SSB--12 watts (peak envelope power).
(47CFR95.409), (47CFR95.410)
Territorial Limits
CB's may be operated within or over any area of the world where
radio services are regulated by the FCC including 50 states, DC,
Caribbean Insular areas, and Pacific Insular areas. If you operate a
CB within territorial limits of any foreign government or areas where
radio-communications are regulated by another agency of the U.S.
you are subject its rules.
(47CFR95.402), (47CFR95.405), (47CFR95.406)
Travelers to US
Travelers to U.S. may operate an FCC certificated CB unit within
U.S. Travelers to CanadaUsing a CB in Canada is subject to the rules
of Industry Canada. Linear Amplifier Ban Users may not raise power
output of CB units, attach a "linear," "linear amplifier" or other type
of power amplifier, or modify the unit internally.
(47CFR95.409), (47CFR95.411), (47CFR95.425)
Antenna Height Restrictions - Vehicles & Hand-Held
None.
(47CFR95.408)
Antenna Height Restrictions - Fixed Locations
Highest point of an antenna must not be more than 20 feet above
highest point of a building or tree on which it is mounted or 60 feet
above the ground. Lower height limits apply if within 2 miles of an
airport. (47CFR95.408)
Ten Codes Regulation
None. You may use a CB station to transmit 2-way plain language
communications (void of coded messages). Operating signals such
as ``ten codes'' are not considered codes or coded messages. Click
Here for CB-10 Codes
(47CFR95.412)
Channels There are 40 shared CB channels.
There are no channels authorized in the CB Radio Service above
27.405 MHz or below 26.965 MHz. No CB channel is assigned to any
specific individual or organization. Your CB station may transmit
only on the following channels (frequencies):
Channel............................ Frequency (megahertz--MHz)
1......................................................26.965
2......................................................26.975
3..................................................... 26.985
4..................................................... 27.005
5..................................................... 27.015
6..................................................... 27.025
7..................................................... 27.035
8..................................................... 27.055
9................................................. \1\27.065
10.................................................... 27.075
11.................................................... 27.085
12.................................................... 27.105
13.................................................... 27.115
14.................................................... 27.125
15.................................................... 27.135
16.................................................... 27.155
17.................................................... 27.165
18.................................................... 27.175
19.................................................... 27.185
20.................................................... 27.205
21.................................................... 27.215
22.................................................... 27.225
23.................................................... 27.255
24.................................................... 27.235
25.................................................... 27.245
26.................................................... 27.265
27.................................................... 27.275
28.................................................... 27.285
29.................................................... 27.295
30.................................................... 27.305
31.................................................... 27.315
32.................................................... 27.325
33.................................................... 27.335
34.................................................... 27.345
35.................................................... 27.355
36.................................................... 27.365
37.................................................... 27.375
38.................................................... 27.385
39.................................................... 27.395
40.................................................... 27.405
(47CFR95.407)
Length of Communications
Users must never talk with another station for more than 5 minutes
continuously and then must wait at least one minute before starting
another communication.
(47CFR95.416), (47CFR95.418)
Operating a CB Station Transmitter by Remote Control
You are not allowed to operate a CB transmitter from any place other
than location of CB transmitter. Direct mechanical or electrical
control by wire from some point on the same premises, craft, or
vehicle as CB transmitter is not considered remote control. You may
operate a CB transmitter by wireline remote control if you obtain
approval in writing from FCC.
(47CFR95.419)
Connecting a CB station transmitter to a telephone
Allowed within guidelines such as having someone present at CB
station to manually make the connection and using a phone patch
device which has been registered with FCC if you connect your CB
transmitter to a telephone.
(47CFR95.420)
Prohibited Communications
There are prohibited communications. Examples include:
•
Transmitting one-way communications other than for
emergencies, traveler assistance, radio checks, or voice paging.
•
Transmitting profanity
•
Advertising
•
Transmitting sound effects for the sole purpose of attracting
attention.
•
You may not communicate with stations in other countries
except for General Radio Service stations in Canada
•
You may not communicate with any CB station more than 250
kilometers (155.3 miles) away.
(47CFR95.412), (47CFR95.413)
Emergency or Traveler Assistance
You must always give priority to emergency communications on all
channels. Channel 9 may be used only for emergency
communications or for traveler assistance. However, you may use
any channel for this purpose. When you are directly participating in
emergency communications, you do not have to comply with rule on
length of transmissions. You may also use your CB station to transmit
one-way communications concerning highway conditions to assist
travelers.
(47CFR95.407), (47CFR95.412), (47CFR95.418)
Trucker's Channel
No channel has been designated for truckers by the FCC. Channel 19
is commonly used as an unofficial trucker's channel. Channels 10,
17, 21 are a few others that are regionally used for this purpose.
Servicing CB Station Transmitter
You may adjust an antenna to your CB transmitter and make radio
checks. You must have all internal repairs/adjustments to CB
transmitter made in accordance with Technical Regulations (subpart
E). They should be performed by or under immediate supervision and
responsibility of a person certified as technically qualified to perform
transmitter maintenance and repair duties in the private land mobile
services and fixed services by an organization or committee
representative of users in those services.
(47CFR95.424), (47CFR95.425)
Reporting Violations
FCC Enforcement Bureau's Divisions:
•
Investigations & Hearing Division - handles matters involving
non-technical broadcast issues such as transmission of
prohibited communications.
•
The Spectrum Enforcement Division - handles issues regarding
unlicensed operations and violations of the Commission's
technical rules such as operation of non-FCC certificated
equipment.
Penalties for Violating Rules
•
If FCC find you willfully or repeatedly violated
Communications Act or FCC Rules, you may have to pay
$10,000 a violation up to $75,000.
•
For willfully and knowingly violating any FCC Rule, a Federal
court may impose a fine up to $500 per day for each day a
violation is committed.
•
For willfully and knowingly violating any provision of
Communications Act, you may be fined by a Federal court up to
$10,000 or imprisoned for one year, or both.
(47CFR95.421)
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