- Written By: Mary Elizabeth
- Edited By: Bronwyn Harris
- Last Modified Date: 06 April 2012
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Copyright Protected:
2003-2012 Conjecture Corporation
A CB radio is a Citizen’s Band radio — a radio that features the 40 channels in the 27 MHz range that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has set aside for unlicensed public use, whether personal or commercial. The use of CB radios is limited to areas where the FCC operates. Each radio must be certificated by the FCC, a fact that is indicated by an identifying label. The CB radio range is the distance over which the radio can transmit and receive.
By FCC regulations, CB radios are limited to 4 watts of transmission power. The official FCC statement is that the average CB radio range is 1 to 5 miles (1.6 to 8 km), but the actual average CB radio range may be greater — around 3 to 6 miles (4.83 to 9.66 km), depending on several factors. Factors include the terrain, the antenna size and type, the antenna mounting, and whether the antenna has been tuned. Using modifications known as “peak and tune” or using a high output amplifier are illegal ways that some people use to boost the average CB radio range.
Since one often doesn’t have a choice about the terrain, there’s not a lot to say about that. However, since a large antenna is generally more effective, one can choose to get a larger sized antenna, whether it is an aerial to go with a CB base radio or a mobile antenna to mount on a pickup to increase the average CB radio range one gets. Antenna quality is also a factor: a low-end antenna will not have the range of a well-built model. Mounting of the antenna — whether on a vehicle or on a building — should be as high as feasible. If it can be at the roof peak or on a tower, so much the better; on a vehicle, it should be placed at the highest secure location.
Tuning an antenna is essential for obtaining the maximum CB radio range. Tuning is done with an SWR (Standing Wave Ratio) meter or an antenna analyzer. The purpose of tuning is to attain a low SWR reading, which means that power isn’t being reflected through the feedline back into the radio, which can both damage the radio and affect the signal from being output properly. The ideal SWR ratio is 1:1, and indicates that 100 percent of the radio’s signal is being transmitted, so the CB radio range is maximized.
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MissMuffet
Post 3 |
I had no idea until recently that the reason CB radio range is so restricted is to avoid the signal interfering with TV, radio and emergency vehicles communication.
In one place I lived we often got random voices coming from the TV, which turned out to be messages broadcast over the fire stations radio channel. I can imagine how confusing that would be if CB radio frequencies interfered with fire or police message systems. |
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Bakersdozen
Post 2 |
@Potterspop - My father has a handheld CB radio which he uses a lot in his job as a truck driver. I imagine that's the biggest user group these days, which is fitting as I'm sure they were the original Cbers.
He tells me that there are several non truckers who listen in and communicate with them, mostly to share weather information or just pass the time of day. |
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Potterspop
Post 1 |
CB radios were all the rage when I was a teenager, long before cell phones were popular. Of course instant messaging and online networking wasn't even invented then either!
I remember having lots of fun chatting with locals, though I never actually met any of the people they became like friends. I have no idea if people still use them this way these days. |
