Listening is an important step for beginners, especially on channel 19. Those who want information or wish to contribute appropriate information on specialized channels are welcomed, as are listeners. Channel 9 is used less often for emergencies since the advent of cell phones, but some rural communities still monitor that channel for emergencies. Channel 19 is at the middle of the bands, thus has the best antenna efficiency. For instance, channel 9 is for emergency use, and channel 19 is used by truckers to report on traffic conditions.

CB FrequencyĪny authorized CB radio frequency is open to all, but some have agreed-upon special purposes. The next columns list the corresponding 40 CB channels and the customary uses of the channels. The following table presents the CB frequencies, the particular wavebands at which a signal is transmitted. What Are The CB Frequencies And CB Radio Channels? The frequencies 27.575 and 27.585 are for low-power use.

The gaps exist for radio-controlled (R/C) device frequencies. Note that the channel numbers are not necessarily sequential with frequency (e.g. Truckers protested the lower speed limits by setting up highway blockades, using their CBs to organize and carry out those protests.Ī list of CB frequencies and CB radio channels follows. Truckers' wages depend on the miles driven, so their productivity and thus their wages were negatively impacted by the 55 mph speed limit. They could also alert others to speed traps. Using CBs, drivers could find fuel sources and communicate the location to others. The embargo caused fuel shortages and that led to rationing, which made it difficult to locate gas supplies. government responded by lowering the national highway maximum speed to 55 mph. There was an oil crisis when OPEC, a group of oil producing countries, declared an oil embargo. When And Why Did CBs Become Popular?īack in the 70s, CB became very popular. Class D began with only 23 channels, but more were added to bring CB to the current 40 channels in 1977. Ten years later Class D was established, becoming the forerunner of CB radio. That makes sense, as less expensive CB equipment offers the general public the chance to communicate with each other short distances over various CB frequencies without the expense, study and then the waiting period for getting an FCC license.Ĭlass A and B radio services were established in 1948, which formed the basis of the Family Radio Service. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which still regulates CB, took bands from the UHF band (460-470 megacycles) for personal and business communication, as well as for controlling model aircraft. Citizens Band (CB) radio dates back to the 1940s.

Freeband frequencies to avoid